Words from the Cross. (May have been more than these 7, but these = all recorded)
last words = interesting & sometimes Revealing!!
Last Words of Christ.... IF the words of Jesus = worthy of our attention...THEN His Last words are especially so!!!
7 Sayings of Christ on Cross
I) Luke 23:34 - "Father forgive.... they know not..."
Question: for whom is He praying
On one hand, those who had Him crucified - Sanhedrin, Herod, Pilate, the crowd, the soldiers, etc.
However, broader application = ALL MANKIND!! - He died for sins of all.
This illustrates:
(1) WE SIN - is a real thing - an offense to God
(2) WE NEED to be FORGIVEN
(3) We need to FORGIVE others!! Eph. 4:32
Question: did they know?
On one hand, they knew they were crucifying an innocent man>
However, couldn't fully know!!! - 1 Cor. 2:8 (they didn't, couldn't know what they were doing to God's Son)
(awareness of Sin not necessarily aware of seriousness of Sin)
II) Luke 23:43 - "today = with me in Paradise"
Jesus = delusional? lying? or...... Heaven Exists (afterlife exists) AND IS Available to any who will turn to Christ. (up to the last breath!!)
But, foolish to wait!! don't know your time/ limit to Holy Spirit's patience/ can become calloused to the Holy Spirit's calling/ loss of blessings in this life/ loss of rewards in next!
Point = if the Holy Spirit draws you ... don't put if off!!! (till the last minute)
III) John 19:26-27 - "behold son/ mother" - in midst of greatest ministry in history/ amidst great pain and agony... Jesus addresses needs of mother!!!
We often say... "God 1st/ family 2nd." (technically true) BUT NO NEED for separation of the 2!! Faith and Family are designed to Complement one another.
IV) Mark 15:34 (Matt. 27:46) "why forsaken me?"
Question: was He forsaken???
Answer: apparently YES!! (3 hours of darkness)
BUT... (A) temporary and (B) For a Purpose
HE WAS FORSAKEN SO YOU'D NEVER HAVE TO BE!!
2 Cor. 5:21 1 Pet. 2:24
May be times you'll not feel, sense, see His Presence, but... His Promise = you'll NEVER be forsaken!!
V) John 19:28 "I thirst" - in midst of saving the world... Jesus still experienced PHYSICAL needs!!
to which should we attend? Physical needs or Spiritual needs
Answer = both! BUT ...
Be careful about letting your physical needs dictate your Spiritual ministry!!
Physical needs = real, must be attended to BUT no excuse to be spiritually lax! Matt. 6:31-33
VI) John 19:28-30 - "it is finished"
Question: what = finished? His Life or HIS MISSION?? = the work that H was sent to do.
In the Greek = one word - used of the completion of a business transaction - "done/ complete/ finished"
Heb. 10:11-12
All that's left is for you to accept the gift - Eph. 2:8-9
BUT... You don't Receive the Gift apart from Receiving the GIVER!! - John 1:10-12 - Jesus IS eternal life!!
VII) Luke 23:46 - "Father.... commend my Spirit"
Is still dark! Jesus still in state of forsaken-ness!!
Yet declared His faith/ confidence in God!!! Was no physical or external evidence that God was there.
maybe the ultimate expression of Faith in God.... in state of utter abandonment, excruciating pain bearing the weight of the world,
yet... (1) still express faith, confidence in God
AND (2) calls Him "FATHER"!! - a title of respect, affection, personal interaction...
TRUE FAITH is trusting your Father in dark night of the soul!
Much more to be said about Jesus' death in coming weeks - (Lord's Supper, Easter)
So... throughout this season... do you believe in Him? Have you accepted, received Him? Do you trust Him?
Serve Him?
Closing Scripture: 1 Tim. 1:15-17
No comments:
Post a Comment