04/08/2023
Seven Last Words from the Cross
The hours immediately preceding the crucifixion of Jesus were extremely difficult and painful to Him in both body and spirit.
Two of those He called “friends” -who were closest to Him-betrayed His friendship. Others of the same circle who also ate from His table- were found to be sleeping when they should have been praying.
When the religious authorities arrested Him later in the dark of the night-His “friends” scattered and ran for their lives. Peter-perhaps His best friend and greatest confidant-failed Him miserably in the garden-and denied that He even knew Him not once-but three times.
Jesus was betrayed-and mocked-and beaten-and questioned by the authorities throughout the night-while His disciples all pointed fingers at each other as they inwardly asked themselves: “Lord is it I?”
Words that come from a dying man are rarely spoken in confidence-unless He is a man of deep faith and understanding. All too often, we take the deep faith and understanding of Jesus in His Father’s plan for granted as Him being simply the “Lamb of God” sent to “take away the sins of the world.”
But it was because of His deep faith and understanding that He was able to bear the great pain and suffering that He bore for our sins and iniquities. Thus, it was with His feet firmly planted in both heaven and earth-that He was able to confidently respond to the questions of life and death that were put to Him during His last hours of life on the cross-and to leave us with one final message of hope and salvation in these “seven last words from the cross.”
Hymn: #436 (All)
In Luke 23:24 Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them-for they know not what they are doing.”
One of the things we most need to recognize is that people don’t know what they are doing. They think they do. Their belief in their own common sense tells them that they do-but they really don’t. This is because in the all-pervasive presence of human sin-there is an overreaching spirit of deception-a cloud of illusion-that convinces us that we know what we are doing when we really don’t.
Thus, there is the husband who thought he was being the “spiritual leader” of the household-like the Bible says he should be-by lording himself over his wife and family-who did not realize that in winning the argument-he had lost his family.
This is because when it comes to relationships-the person who hurts you hurts themselves more-and hurts God most of all-even though they don’t have a clue as to what has happened. That’s what Jesus was talking about when He prayed this prayer from the cross.
He said, “Father-do you see these people? -they are doing the worst possible thing to the best possible person-and they are doing it without understanding what they have done.”
Ask yourself-when have I acted without understanding? When have I hurt someone, I thought I was helping? When have I spoken a word of pain and suffering-when a word of healing was needed?
When the spirit convicts you-pray this prayer: “Father, forgive me-for I did not know what I was doing.”
Hymn: #418 (All)
In Luke 23:43 Jesus said to the thief beside Him on the cross: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
There is a story about the time John Wesley was robbed by a thief on the road to Bristol in England. As the thief was departing with the contents of Wesley’s saddlebag-Wesley shouted at him, “If you should ever come to your senses-and learn what you have done was wrong-turn to God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ His Son.”
Some years later-at a revival in London-a man approached the pulpit where Wesley had preached. The man looked at Wesley and said, “You probably don’t remember me-but I remember you. I was the thief who robbed you on the way to Bristol all those years ago-and I recall the words you said to me when I ran away. Since that day-I have “come to my senses” and become a Christian. I want to ask you to forgive me for what I did that day.”
Wesley looked back at him and said, “There is nothing to forgive. God has already given you forgiveness. Let us now celebrate heaven together as brothers.”
Friends, this is such a great story because it tells us that no matter what we’ve done God can-and will forgive us.
In 1 John 1:8-9 we read, “If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
In this scripture-the writer tells us that the means of forgiveness and cleansing from our sin is the blood of Christ shed on the cross of Calvary-while the method of forgiveness and cleansing is the confession of our sin to God.
The thief on the cross next to Jesus asked that Jesus “remember him when he came into His kingdom.” For those of us who repent of their sin and ask for forgiveness, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth-today you will be with Me in paradise.”
Song of Reflection: “Ten Thousand Angels”
In John 19:26 we read that, “When Jesus saw His mother there and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to his mother, Woman behold your Son.”
It has been said that family is the one place where they have to take you in. In Jewish society-a woman’s status was determined by the head male of the “bet ab” or the “father’s house.” As the surviving first son of His father Joseph’s house-Jesus was responsible for the care of his mother. Thus, we see that even in the suffering and pain of Jesus’ last hours on earth-He was caring for His family.
The church as a gathering of believers-is the place of Christ’s family on earth. As the redeemed of God-we are God’s earthly family. When you find yourself an outcast from the world-God’s family is the one place where they have to take you in.
You will notice from the text that Jesus does not give the care of His mother to His brothers-her sons by blood-but rather to the “other brother” of Jesus-her son by the holy spirit. This is because “family” is not necessarily those who are born from the same womb-but rather those who are born from the same spirit.
Friends, when you think of who you call “family” -remember that as a born-again child of God- “family” is found first in the Father’s house.
In Matthew’s gospel chapter 27:26 we read that Jesus cried out loudly from the cross, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” meaning- “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”
This word of Jesus from the cross is the hardest one of all for us to receive. There is so much about it that is unpleasant and abhorrent to us. Look for a moment at the sentence itself-it begins with the question “why” and ends with the pronoun naming the source of that question “you.”
And then there is the verb of action “forsaken” -which sounds way too much like “abandoned” for our sentiments.
And this begs the further question: “Is it even possible for God to feel Himself forsaken?” Couldn’t we at least change the language used here to bring some comfort to this idea?
“Abandonment” -that is the punishment for an unwept-unwanted and unsung criminal-not a king-or a prophet-and certainly not for a Lord and Savior.
And did we not just sing that “He could have called ten thousand angels” -because all the legions of heaven stood armed and ready-awaiting a word from the Father to come and do battle to protect the beloved Son?
But the Father said nothing-He issued no order-He gave no command-rather He withdrew apace further allowing the worst of hell to be done to His best son.
And so, as the song says, “He died alone for you and me.” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Hymn: #435 (All)
In John 19:28 we read, “Later, knowing that all was now completed so that the scriptures be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”
By the time He got to the place of speaking the fifth word from the cross-the wounds in Jesus body had begun to take their toll. Mortal wounds inflict a deep stress on the human body which causes a great thirst for water. There can be no doubt of Jesus’ need for water to assuage the searing fire in His tortured body.
When Jesus cried out, “I thirst” -His thirst was for water to extinguish the excruciating pain that wracked His body from the experience of crucifixion on the cross.
There is a story told of two men who were adrift in an open lifeboat in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil in the delta of the Amazon River. Tortured by a great thirst-they were seen desperately attempting to capture a few drops of rainwater in the palms of their up-raised hands-not realizing that where they had drifted in the sea at the river delta-where the water remains fresh for many miles-they had but to lower their bucket and drink their fill.
Friends, do you thirst? Do you thirst because you have been mortally wounded by the pain of sin in your body? Do you thirst for the living water of the holy spirit? Do you thirst for God’s cleansing and His righteousness? If you do-then God wants to bring you water to slake your thirst-the living fountain of eternal life filled with the blood of Jesus Christ-and all you need do is but to lower your bucket and drink your fill.
Jesus said, “I thirst!” If you are thirsty today-then go to the fountain-confess your sin, drink deeply-and be thirsty no more!
Hymn: #421 (Vss. 1,3,5)
In John’s 19:30 we read that, “When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
So, what exactly did Jesus mean by this statement? What was “finished” by Him on the cross of Calvary? Let’s take a few moments to consider some possible meanings for us here.
Well, physically speaking-Jesus’ earthly life was over-and with that all the pain and grief and sorrow-it was finished. And-if we have received God’s freely given gift of salvation through Jesus Christ-if we belong to Jesus by faith- “it is finished.”
In Olympic races-athletes are not given their victory medals at ground level-but instead are called up to the higher stage to receive them. In the same way-Christians do not receive their final victory in life-but instead in death.
In Revelation 22:12 Jesus said, “And behold I come quickly-and my reward is with Me.”
Friends, in Christ Jesus we can run the good race to the good finish-and to the good reward on earth-and to the final victory in heaven. This was the promise that Jesus made to us from the cross when He said, “It is finished.”
Song: “What Wondrous Love is This/It is Finished”
The gospel of Luke 23:46 records the last words of Jesus from the cross, “Jesus called out with a loud voice- “Father into Your hands I commit My Spirit.”
Henry Thoreau was one of the most famous writers of American literature. When he neared his death-his aunt visited one day and asked him if he had made his peace with God. He answered her by stating that “he didn’t know that he and God had ever had a disagreement.”
Thoreau’s answer to his aunt’s question revealed that even with all his education and talent for writing and homespun philosophy-he was still lost to his real spiritual condition before God. Despite his intimate familiarity with the various religions and mythologies of the world-including Christianity-he was completely unconscious of his ongoing “disagreement” with God.
This is the soul condition of many people who claim to be “spiritual” rather than “religious.” To be merely spiritual means nothing. Everyone is spiritual in some way. The devil is spiritual-and his spirituality is legion throughout the world.
Christianity is a religion that makes very specific demands of its followers. The first step in becoming a Christian is to realize that no matter how much of human goodness we may possess-we are all sinners lost to God. Thoreau’s answer to his aunt’s question revealed that he was still a lost man who did not know he was lost because human pride never allowed him to see himself for who he really was.
Friends, we are never lost if we know the ONE who holds us in His hands-for in Him we have the eternal promise of His sovereign care. Whether we have much in life-or little-we need not be concerned because we have “the truth” that will set us free-and show us the way home.
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
Jesus died on a Friday over two thousand years ago during six hours of one day. What will you do with that one day in all of history? If it all really happened as the story tells us it did-if the Son of God died on the cross of Calvary that we might be saved from our sins-than those hours were the most critical hours of human history. For during those six hours on that Friday afternoon-God gave us three solid “rocks” strong and sturdy enough to withstand any storm of life that may come our way.
Rock #1: Our lives are not futile. They have a beginning and an end that starts and ends with God in control.
Rock #2: Our failures are not fatal. We have all failed God in some way-and will do so again. God has not failed us however-and never will.
Rock # 3: Our death is not final. If we are made like Him in Christ Jesus-we will rise like Him in the last day because our death will be swallowed up by His victory. Never forget dear friends-that the Son of God only went up on the cross to prove He could come down.
In the final words of Jesus from the cross-we have the promise of forgiveness-the promise of family-the promise of God’s watchful presence and care-the promise of God’s salvation-and the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven.
And all of this because of six incredible hours on a Friday-thanks be to God. Amen
Seven Last Words from the Cross
The hours immediately preceding the crucifixion of Jesus were extremely difficult and painful to Him in both body and spirit.
Two of those He called “friends” -who were closest to Him-betrayed His friendship. Others of the same circle who also ate from His table- were found to be sleeping when they should have been praying.
When the religious authorities arrested Him later in the dark of the night-His “friends” scattered and ran for their lives. Peter-perhaps His best friend and greatest confidant-failed Him miserably in the garden-and denied that He even knew Him not once-but three times.
Jesus was betrayed-and mocked-and beaten-and questioned by the authorities throughout the night-while His disciples all pointed fingers at each other as they inwardly asked themselves: “Lord is it I?”
Words that come from a dying man are rarely spoken in confidence-unless He is a man of deep faith and understanding. All too often, we take the deep faith and understanding of Jesus in His Father’s plan for granted as Him being simply the “Lamb of God” sent to “take away the sins of the world.”
But it was because of His deep faith and understanding that He was able to bear the great pain and suffering that He bore for our sins and iniquities. Thus, it was with His feet firmly planted in both heaven and earth-that He was able to confidently respond to the questions of life and death that were put to Him during His last hours of life on the cross-and to leave us with one final message of hope and salvation in these “seven last words from the cross.”
Hymn: #436 (All)
In Luke 23:24 Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them-for they know not what they are doing.”
One of the things we most need to recognize is that people don’t know what they are doing. They think they do. Their belief in their own common sense tells them that they do-but they really don’t. This is because in the all-pervasive presence of human sin-there is an overreaching spirit of deception-a cloud of illusion-that convinces us that we know what we are doing when we really don’t.
Thus, there is the husband who thought he was being the “spiritual leader” of the household-like the Bible says he should be-by lording himself over his wife and family-who did not realize that in winning the argument-he had lost his family.
This is because when it comes to relationships-the person who hurts you hurts themselves more-and hurts God most of all-even though they don’t have a clue as to what has happened. That’s what Jesus was talking about when He prayed this prayer from the cross.
He said, “Father-do you see these people? -they are doing the worst possible thing to the best possible person-and they are doing it without understanding what they have done.”
Ask yourself-when have I acted without understanding? When have I hurt someone, I thought I was helping? When have I spoken a word of pain and suffering-when a word of healing was needed?
When the spirit convicts you-pray this prayer: “Father, forgive me-for I did not know what I was doing.”
Hymn: #418 (All)
In Luke 23:43 Jesus said to the thief beside Him on the cross: “I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
There is a story about the time John Wesley was robbed by a thief on the road to Bristol in England. As the thief was departing with the contents of Wesley’s saddlebag-Wesley shouted at him, “If you should ever come to your senses-and learn what you have done was wrong-turn to God for forgiveness through Jesus Christ His Son.”
Some years later-at a revival in London-a man approached the pulpit where Wesley had preached. The man looked at Wesley and said, “You probably don’t remember me-but I remember you. I was the thief who robbed you on the way to Bristol all those years ago-and I recall the words you said to me when I ran away. Since that day-I have “come to my senses” and become a Christian. I want to ask you to forgive me for what I did that day.”
Wesley looked back at him and said, “There is nothing to forgive. God has already given you forgiveness. Let us now celebrate heaven together as brothers.”
Friends, this is such a great story because it tells us that no matter what we’ve done God can-and will forgive us.
In 1 John 1:8-9 we read, “If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
In this scripture-the writer tells us that the means of forgiveness and cleansing from our sin is the blood of Christ shed on the cross of Calvary-while the method of forgiveness and cleansing is the confession of our sin to God.
The thief on the cross next to Jesus asked that Jesus “remember him when he came into His kingdom.” For those of us who repent of their sin and ask for forgiveness, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth-today you will be with Me in paradise.”
Song of Reflection: “Ten Thousand Angels”
In John 19:26 we read that, “When Jesus saw His mother there and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to his mother, Woman behold your Son.”
It has been said that family is the one place where they have to take you in. In Jewish society-a woman’s status was determined by the head male of the “bet ab” or the “father’s house.” As the surviving first son of His father Joseph’s house-Jesus was responsible for the care of his mother. Thus, we see that even in the suffering and pain of Jesus’ last hours on earth-He was caring for His family.
The church as a gathering of believers-is the place of Christ’s family on earth. As the redeemed of God-we are God’s earthly family. When you find yourself an outcast from the world-God’s family is the one place where they have to take you in.
You will notice from the text that Jesus does not give the care of His mother to His brothers-her sons by blood-but rather to the “other brother” of Jesus-her son by the holy spirit. This is because “family” is not necessarily those who are born from the same womb-but rather those who are born from the same spirit.
Friends, when you think of who you call “family” -remember that as a born-again child of God- “family” is found first in the Father’s house.
In Matthew’s gospel chapter 27:26 we read that Jesus cried out loudly from the cross, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani” meaning- “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”
This word of Jesus from the cross is the hardest one of all for us to receive. There is so much about it that is unpleasant and abhorrent to us. Look for a moment at the sentence itself-it begins with the question “why” and ends with the pronoun naming the source of that question “you.”
And then there is the verb of action “forsaken” -which sounds way too much like “abandoned” for our sentiments.
And this begs the further question: “Is it even possible for God to feel Himself forsaken?” Couldn’t we at least change the language used here to bring some comfort to this idea?
“Abandonment” -that is the punishment for an unwept-unwanted and unsung criminal-not a king-or a prophet-and certainly not for a Lord and Savior.
And did we not just sing that “He could have called ten thousand angels” -because all the legions of heaven stood armed and ready-awaiting a word from the Father to come and do battle to protect the beloved Son?
But the Father said nothing-He issued no order-He gave no command-rather He withdrew apace further allowing the worst of hell to be done to His best son.
And so, as the song says, “He died alone for you and me.” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Hymn: #435 (All)
In John 19:28 we read, “Later, knowing that all was now completed so that the scriptures be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I thirst.”
By the time He got to the place of speaking the fifth word from the cross-the wounds in Jesus body had begun to take their toll. Mortal wounds inflict a deep stress on the human body which causes a great thirst for water. There can be no doubt of Jesus’ need for water to assuage the searing fire in His tortured body.
When Jesus cried out, “I thirst” -His thirst was for water to extinguish the excruciating pain that wracked His body from the experience of crucifixion on the cross.
There is a story told of two men who were adrift in an open lifeboat in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Brazil in the delta of the Amazon River. Tortured by a great thirst-they were seen desperately attempting to capture a few drops of rainwater in the palms of their up-raised hands-not realizing that where they had drifted in the sea at the river delta-where the water remains fresh for many miles-they had but to lower their bucket and drink their fill.
Friends, do you thirst? Do you thirst because you have been mortally wounded by the pain of sin in your body? Do you thirst for the living water of the holy spirit? Do you thirst for God’s cleansing and His righteousness? If you do-then God wants to bring you water to slake your thirst-the living fountain of eternal life filled with the blood of Jesus Christ-and all you need do is but to lower your bucket and drink your fill.
Jesus said, “I thirst!” If you are thirsty today-then go to the fountain-confess your sin, drink deeply-and be thirsty no more!
Hymn: #421 (Vss. 1,3,5)
In John’s 19:30 we read that, “When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
So, what exactly did Jesus mean by this statement? What was “finished” by Him on the cross of Calvary? Let’s take a few moments to consider some possible meanings for us here.
Well, physically speaking-Jesus’ earthly life was over-and with that all the pain and grief and sorrow-it was finished. And-if we have received God’s freely given gift of salvation through Jesus Christ-if we belong to Jesus by faith- “it is finished.”
In Olympic races-athletes are not given their victory medals at ground level-but instead are called up to the higher stage to receive them. In the same way-Christians do not receive their final victory in life-but instead in death.
In Revelation 22:12 Jesus said, “And behold I come quickly-and my reward is with Me.”
Friends, in Christ Jesus we can run the good race to the good finish-and to the good reward on earth-and to the final victory in heaven. This was the promise that Jesus made to us from the cross when He said, “It is finished.”
Song: “What Wondrous Love is This/It is Finished”
The gospel of Luke 23:46 records the last words of Jesus from the cross, “Jesus called out with a loud voice- “Father into Your hands I commit My Spirit.”
Henry Thoreau was one of the most famous writers of American literature. When he neared his death-his aunt visited one day and asked him if he had made his peace with God. He answered her by stating that “he didn’t know that he and God had ever had a disagreement.”
Thoreau’s answer to his aunt’s question revealed that even with all his education and talent for writing and homespun philosophy-he was still lost to his real spiritual condition before God. Despite his intimate familiarity with the various religions and mythologies of the world-including Christianity-he was completely unconscious of his ongoing “disagreement” with God.
This is the soul condition of many people who claim to be “spiritual” rather than “religious.” To be merely spiritual means nothing. Everyone is spiritual in some way. The devil is spiritual-and his spirituality is legion throughout the world.
Christianity is a religion that makes very specific demands of its followers. The first step in becoming a Christian is to realize that no matter how much of human goodness we may possess-we are all sinners lost to God. Thoreau’s answer to his aunt’s question revealed that he was still a lost man who did not know he was lost because human pride never allowed him to see himself for who he really was.
Friends, we are never lost if we know the ONE who holds us in His hands-for in Him we have the eternal promise of His sovereign care. Whether we have much in life-or little-we need not be concerned because we have “the truth” that will set us free-and show us the way home.
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
Jesus died on a Friday over two thousand years ago during six hours of one day. What will you do with that one day in all of history? If it all really happened as the story tells us it did-if the Son of God died on the cross of Calvary that we might be saved from our sins-than those hours were the most critical hours of human history. For during those six hours on that Friday afternoon-God gave us three solid “rocks” strong and sturdy enough to withstand any storm of life that may come our way.
Rock #1: Our lives are not futile. They have a beginning and an end that starts and ends with God in control.
Rock #2: Our failures are not fatal. We have all failed God in some way-and will do so again. God has not failed us however-and never will.
Rock # 3: Our death is not final. If we are made like Him in Christ Jesus-we will rise like Him in the last day because our death will be swallowed up by His victory. Never forget dear friends-that the Son of God only went up on the cross to prove He could come down.
In the final words of Jesus from the cross-we have the promise of forgiveness-the promise of family-the promise of God’s watchful presence and care-the promise of God’s salvation-and the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven.
And all of this because of six incredible hours on a Friday-thanks be to God. Amen
