Jesus' 7 Last Words on the Cross

Jesus' 7 Last Words on the Cross

       Today is Good Friday, the day that Jesus died on the cross. He died for our redemption, to pay the penalty for our sins. As eternally vital as that is, there's even more to be learned from how He died and what He said even in those last hours

       His death not only saved us and gave us eternal life, but it teaches us how to live now on this earth. Those lessons cluster around Jesus' last words or sayings on the cross. Jesus spoke 7 times from the cross and each time there was a lesson for us to apply to our own lives. Those words reveal His character and His attitude and since we are to have “the mind of Christ,” they teach us how to live.

1) Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Jesus died forgiving those who sinned against Him and underlying His prayer for forgiveness is an understanding of the desperate condition of the human heart: “they know not what they do.”

John MacArthur describes it this way: as Jesus hangs on the cross the victim of “animosity, bitterness, vengeance, and vile wickedness of a world of men and a host of demons, what is His response?” Does He call for vengeance? No, He prays for their forgiveness.

The application to our lives: have we, have you ever had anything done to you so horrible as all of that?! Surely you are to forgive –as Jesus forgave you. That is the criteria: “even as” Ephesians 4:32 “. . .forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

This is to be your way of life: you should live with a heart of forgiveness toward those who wrong you, being more concerned that they be forgiven than that you get vengeance.

2) Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Jesus died bringing the truth of the gospel, the truth of eternal life to the thief on the cross.

“Remember me,” he said to Jesus–he is pleading for forgiveness and he obviously understands that Jesus can indeed save him. He’s already admitted his guilt, now he’s pleading for mercy. And in the midst of Jesus’ agony, He was more concerned with the salvation of one individual person, a condemned criminal.

And by that attitude, He shows us how to live.

3) John 19:26-27 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

As Jesus was dying, His mother was on His heart; He wanted her cared for by one of the disciples He loved so much. (It seems obvious that her husband Joseph had died by this time and Jesus as the eldest son had the responsibility to care for His mother.)

4) Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

This was by far the greatest agony of the cross, the separation from God the Father in His death.

Sin separated us from God–but once we know Jesus as Savior, we also have the Father and the Holy Spirit–and we will never have to experience what Jesus did in order to atone for our sins.

“Forsaken” is one of the most tragic words in the English language–and when said, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken Me”–and “Me” was the perfect Son of God! I don’t know how long of a period of time–but it was sheer agony to Jesus.

Why was this necessary? Because He was bearing our sin and sin separates from God. “God is too holy to look on sin, too pure to behold iniquity,” the prophet Habakkuk wrote. Sin alienates from God.

Nothing we ever experience can come even close to the pain of this separation.

What lesson does this teach us for our lives? How terrible sin is! Much worse than we generally consider it. Sin sent Jesus to the cross–because of His great love for us. And sin separated the eternal Father from the eternal Son–temporarily, yes, but nevertheless, it did separate. It did something that devils and demons couldn’t do, but sin did.

5) John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”

Jesus was experiencing some of the results of being a man, a human being–with all the weaknesses of our humanity. And what does it teach us? It shows the frailties of our humanity and our dependence on God. He needed a drink of water and He couldn’t get it for Himself and He needed someone to get it for Him. He knew what human need is and that’s why He is a sympathetic and faithful high priest. He was fully man as well as being fully God.

6) John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

“It is finished!” Redemption is accomplished. He died completing the work God gave Him to do.

The apostle Paul said the same thing–and he, too, completed the work. Acts 20:24. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

2 Tim. 4:6. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,

7) John records that Jesus “gave up the ghost.” Luke records more detail Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Jesus died entrusting Himself to the care of God. We must live the same way: “Casting all your care on Him for He careth for you.”

In other words, you live with confidence in God–confident trust that He who promised will also perform what He promises. He can be counted on to bring you through the worst trials and will be with you in the Valley of the Shadow. “I will fear no evil for though art with me.”

IV. So this brings me to my second and much briefer, major point: how the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings enable us to endure victoriously what God calls on us to suffer.

A. We have the lessons from His cross:

1. forgiving spirit

2. concern for sharing the gospel to the lost

3. selfless love more concerned for others than your own suffering

4. seriousness of sin and great desire for holiness

5. realization of your own weakness and frailties–and limits

6. desire to finish your course with joy and the ministry that God has given you to do–moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful

7. entrust yourself to the care of Him who loves you enough to die for you on that cruel cross.

B. Now there’s one more great truth to relate His sufferings to ours:

Hebrews 12:2-3 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

1. Fixing your eyes on Jesus because the word translated “looking” means to fix your attention on Christ.

Focus on Him and not the problems.

Focus on Him and not yourself.

Focus on Him and not all the things that could possibly go wrong.

Looking away from everything else that might distract.

2. You focus on Christ and ponder what He endured.

1. The next time someone ridicules you and mocks you, think of Jesus “silent before His accusers”

2. The next time someone reviles you and says all manner of evil against you falsely, think of Jesus and how when he was reviled, reviled not again, but committed Himself to the Father. Do ye the same.

3. The next time someone spits in your face, think of Jesus and how the soldiers spit at him.

4. The next time someone says something unkind to you or rude, don’t get angry but instead think of the lies they told about Jesus.

5. The next time someone does something unfair to you, consider this the world’s greatest injustice: the perfect Son of God–who never–literally never sinned, not a sin of attitude, a sin of commission, or a sin of omission–He was absolutely perfect, and think of what they did to Him.

6. Have you ever heard of an injustice like this one where the Judge said publicly, “I find no fault in Him”–but kill Him anyway!

7. The next time you are in excruciating pain, compare your pain to what Jesus endured on the cross.

8. The next time you think you can’t endure the particular trial you are going through, look at Jesus and know that God the Holy Spirit who gave Him the endurance in His humanity to endure will give you the endurance to “take” whatever He allows or sends your way. Remember His absolute promise: God will never allow you to be tested beyond your endurance but will with the testing provide a way of escape that you may be able to bear it.

“Consider Him” by comparison to your “light affliction which is but for a moment.”

3. And that familiar scripture really puts the whole thing into perspective:

2 Cor. 4:17 “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”

Just as God accomplished so much by the death of Christ–eternal redemption for all who repent and trust in Him as Savior and Lord.

So also He is accomplishing something–many things by your suffering or affliction. It’s “working for us”.–an exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

4. He’s making us more like Christ–we are being changed by the Holy Spirit as we obey and as we look at and look to Christ.

5. He is burning out the dross so that we will come through the fire as pure gold.

1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: [7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

6. We learn obedience to God’s will “by the things which we suffer.” Heb. 5:8

7. We learn what is really valuable in life–that which continues into eternity and does not simply end up on the ash heap. 2 Cor. 4:18 “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

What continues into eternity? Our relationship with the Lord; our relationship with others; the truth of the Word of God. Holiness and the character qualities produced by the Holy Spirit. Serving, ministering, glorifying God, worshiping God will continue throughout eternity.

Consider Christ

1. Consider the afflictions of Christ–so much greater than yours

2. Consider the grace given to Christ to endure the sufferings–and surely God will give you the grace to endure yours: “My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

3. Consider the presence of Christ–He is never absent from you, even when you don’t sense His Presence, He is still there. He who never failed you in yesterday’s afflictions is still present for today’s strength. He is our ever-present help in time of need.

4. Consider the patience and perseverance, the endurance of Christ. He lives in you and you can endure through Him. “Nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. . . .”

5. Consider the prayers of Christ. He ever-liveth to make intercession for us.

6. Consider the purposes of Christ–and we’ve already discussed several of them.

7. Consider the glory that is yet to come. The suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us.

Strong's Ref. # 3049 Romanized logizomai Pronounced log-id'-zom-ahee

middle voice from GSN3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):

8. How did Jesus endure? Scripture tells us: “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross” He knew what He was accomplishing and what His atonement would mean to all of us, millions of us for all eternity. And that brought Him joy because He loves us.

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

John 15:11-15

11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. He endured and He will enable us to endure and make us more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Easter: the Firstfuits of the Resurrection

Do you realize the far-reaching continuing importance of Easter and why we celebrate it so joyfully every year? Think of the tremendous sudden change brought about by this most important historical event!

Remember the crucifixion: Jesus is dead! And then buried at the command of the greatest political power in the world at the time. He suffered great shame and agony. His closest followers are nowhere to be seen; they’re in hiding. Only a few are there at the cross with the women. They huddle together in mourning, frustration, wonderment, confusion, and despair. They had staked their entire lives on the truth that Jesus was the Messiah. What could life hold for them now?

Suddenly life is transformed because Jesus rose from the dead! He is no longer captive or under the power of Rome. He is alive and well–and in His glorified body that can come and go from this world at will. He appears to his followers and eats with them and shows them his scars. The same man who died is now alive! He has fulfilled the scriptures and did just exactly what God had said he would do long ago.

Then we see the complete transformation of the apostles–part of this whole miracle. Particularly in the early chapters of the book of Acts where these scared and demoralized followers, hiding in a locked upper room in Jerusalem suddenly became witnesses of the Resurrection and turned the world upside down as Jesus' servants in the power of the Holy Spirit.

         The death of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection from the tomb on the 3^rd Day is the most important event in all human history. Nothing else comes close to its overwhelming importance.

We have empirical evidence, eyewitness evidence proving that Jesus Christ did in fact rise from the dead and has power over sin, death, and the grave. He did this visibly, physically, in time and space and history. This is historical reality–just as tangible and visible as your presence this morning is historical reality.

Colossians 1:18 tells us that Jesus is “the beginning, the firstborn from the dead;” the first person to be resurrected from the dead. Elsewhere scripture tells us that Jesus is the “firstfruits” of the Resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:20-26 “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. [For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

Christ is the firstfruits and all of us who believe in Him will be the full harvest. Do you realize that Jesus is in fact the ONLY one who has ever actually been resurrected from the dead? A number of others have been brought back to life–as when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. But Lazarus died a second time. And so did the several other people raised in scripture.

But Jesus is the firstfruits, the only one with a glorified body after the resurrection–and this is proof to us that we, too, will receive our glorified body in the Resurrection. “It will be like unto His glorious body” and we will have some of the same abilities that Jesus demonstrated during the 40 days after His resurrection. “. . . we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” Phil. 3.20-21

Just as the firstfruits tell what kind of fruit or grain the rest of the harvest will be, so Christ’s resurrection body indicates what our glorified bodies will be like. 1 Cor. 15:42-44 “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

      Jesus promised His followers at least twice in scripture, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25-26 ESV

         What an amazing promise! My wife's body died three years ago—but she didn't! She is still alive and with the Lord at this very moment. “Absent from the body, present with the Lord,” 2 Cor. 5:8 AND when Christ returns, her body which is buried in Tahoma National Cemetery near Kent, Washington, will be transformed and raised as her glorified body in which she will live throughout all eternity.

        Jesus' resurrection from the dead in His glorified body is observable evidence, the firstfruits of what our resurrected bodies will be like. On the cross and in His resurrection, Jesus won the victory over death, hell, and the grave. We should marvel at this constantly and be ever deeply grateful to our Lord.

       Jesus has already won the victory, but our bodies in this fallen world are still under the curse and still subject to death. But now we have “the Blessed Hope,” the evidence in front of our eyes, the absolute certainty that death itself will be destroyed. “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Cor. 15:26 The death and resurrection of Christ brought about the death of death! As John Owen wrote so many years ago in “The Death of Death in the Death of Christ.” And John Donne's poem tells us triumphantly, “Death, thou shalt die!” Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

        “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58

God of Kindness

      The Names of God in scripture are such a great blessing and help us immeasurably in seeking to understand and know our perfect God of holiness, God of wonders. Infinite in all of His qualities and attributes. Infinite, Personal, and without tension between or among His attributes, but all are in perfect balance and coalesce with all of the others. He is infinite in holiness so then each attribute is also holy as well as infinite. The same could be said of all of them. But each contributes to our limited understanding and they all add up to the Glory of God—who He is and what He does and has done and will do.

         What is God like? He's not “like” anything or anyone else in human experience. He is who He is in Himself. When Moses asked God His Name, God told Him, “ I AM THAT I AM,” the self-existent, eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent Creator God of the universe.

      If we want to “see God” or know who or what God is “like,” we look at Jesus because He is God and one of the purposes of His coming was to show us God in human flesh. That's what “Incarnation” means.

        “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . . No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. John 1:14, 18

            ^“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God;” Isaiah 45:5

        What are some names of God that reveal different aspects of His character and attributes? Great God of Wonders, the Most High God, Jehovah Shalom (the God of Peace), the God of all comfort. And all of creation reveal something about God's wisdom, power, and goodness. He is our Rock and our Fortress, the Good Shepherd, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. He is Our Father. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the God of Holiness and Righteousness. The God of Justice. God is Love. God is Light.

 

        But interestingly enough, in the English Bible, at least in the old King James Version, He is not called the “God of Kindness.” (although He is called the “God of Mercy” which is very similar.)

        That is a bit surprising when you think of how important a quality kindness is to God. He certainly is the God of kindness even though He does not bear that name in the old English Bible. Observe these verses, for example, to see how significant kindness is to God.. . Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, Nehemiah 9:17 KJV

        For his merciful kindness is great toward us: Psalm 117:2 KJV

       “ For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee,” Isa. 54:10 KJV

       I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.. Jonah 4:2 KJV

        However, in Hebrew we do specifically see God as “the God of kindness.” In Psalm 59:10 and 17 the Hebrew is translated “the God of my mercy.” The Hebrew word is checed, Strong's #2617. The primary meaning given in the lexicon is “kindness.” It can also be translated mercy or merciful.

        A similar word is racham which is so well translated “tender mercies” (and the adjective is in the Hebrew so that intensifies the tender feeling. Racham's primary meaning is “compassion.” And of course that takes us to that vitally important first chapter of 2^nd Corinthians where God is called “the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. . . “ 1:3

       Compassion is such a vivid word because it breaks naturally into prefix and root: “with” and “passion or feeling.” What a remarkable truth that God feels our sorrow and grief and He cares. “His heart is touched with our grief,” as the hymn writer expressed it. “Jesus was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Isaiah 53:3 His death on the cross “brought us peace” 53:5 but it was at a terrible cost, “Out of the anguish of his soul” as well as horrible physical suffering. Isa. 53:11

       Since God in Christ was so tender and compassionate, what manner of people should we be who are told to “imitate” the Lord and to “follow His steps.” We are to reflect the life of Christ within us just as the moon reflects the glorious light of the sun. And a verse to carry with you to help you do that very thing is Ephesians 4:32 ^“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

        Our “God of Kindness” who called us to be holy as he is holy also calls us to be kind as He is kind “. . . so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Mt. 5:45

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10 Go the “second mile” cheerfully and in kindness “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Gal. 6:2 “Love is kind.” 1 Cor.13:4 And it is part of the fruit of the Spirit: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. . . .” Gal. 5:22-23 ESV

You know my way!

And you know the way I should go.

This is the way, walk ye in it,

        The Psalms speak to so many of our struggles and our dramatic moments. God knows what to do and He tells us. So we must take time to listen!

When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! Psalm 142:3 ESV

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. Psalm 142:3 KJV

        “The bravest spirit is sometimes sorely put to it. A heavy fog settles down upon the mind, and the man seems drowned and smothered in it; covered with a cloud, crushed with a load, confused with difficulties, conquered by impossibilities. David was a hero, and yet his spirit sank: he could smite a giant down, but he could not keep himself up. He did not know his own path, nor feel able to bear his own burden. Observe his comfort: he looked away from his own condition to the ever-observant, all-knowing God; and solaced himself with the fact that all was known to his heavenly Friend. Truly it is well for us to know that God knows what we do not know. We lose our heads, but God never closes his eyes: our judgments lose their balance, but the eternal mind is always clear.”   --Charles Spurgeon, 1834-1892, Treasury of David, III, 324

      And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21 KJV

        “He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 30:19-21 ESV

     The Psalmist feels painfully alone: “there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.” Psalm 142:4 ESV

He feels all alone. He feels painfully alone—but he's not! “ I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” 142:5 ESV

      And in the next Psalm it becomes even clearer:

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 143:5-6

      And again he asks for God's guidance: “Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. . . . O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge! Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! . . . for I am your servant.” 143:8-12

Soli Deo Gloria

Soli Deo Gloria

We know we are “where we have always been . . . in God’s hands.” But, to change the figure slightly, “Thou hast . . . laid thine hand upon me.” And what does that mean? It’s a gentle touch of reassurance, God gently laying His hand on our shoulder as if to reassure and comfort us, to remind us, “You’re not alone; I’m here with you.”

 

It means we are chosen by God,

It means we are directed by God,

It means we are strengthened by God,

It means we are protected by God,

It means we are comforted by God.

 

Remember those moments in your life when someone you love and have confidence in, touched you on your shoulder and even without a word gave you that warm reassurance that helped you pluck up your courage and go on?

I am reminded of that dramatic moment in 1521 at the Diet of Worms (in Germany) when Martin Luther stood before the assembled leaders of the Holy Roman Empire to tell them “my conscience is captive to the Word of God! Here I stand! I can do no other.” And Justification by faith spread throughout Europe, Sola Fide, Soli Gracia, Soli Deo Gloria. [Salvation is Only by Grace through faith alone, to God be the Glory.]

 

As Luther made his way through that large gathering, a knight reached over and patted him on the shoulder and told him (of course, in German), “Pluck up thy courage, Little Monk, in the name of God, go on!” It was a propitious moment and affected the whole course of history—including your own

God has laid His hand upon us and we have never been the same. In the name of God, we do go on. And God uses us for His glory and the spread of the gospel and the edification and encouragement of our brethen in Christ. What will it be like to see Jesus in His glory and hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!”

[Note: I took that picture in 1980 when my wife and I were on our first visit to Europe on our 25th Anniversary. The building is on the town square across from the Cathedral in Heidelberg, Germany.]