Jesus’ seven last
words
Luke 23:34; John
19:26-30, Mark 15:34
Friday being what
is commonly referred to as Good Friday; however, I prefer to refer to this day
as the day my Lord was crucified fulfilling prophecy. Reflect with me if you
will on the last seven words Jesus spoke and consider what they mean to each of
us.
Let’s begin with
the phrase “Father, forgive
them”, Jesus is asking
His father to forgive the persons carrying out this treacherous act. Consider
this thought for a moment, Jesus asking the Father to forgive all humanity for
our sins. What love! Jesus was nailed
to the cross from 9AM to noon suffering excruciating pain while bearing the
sins of the world expresses pure love. His second words “To day shalt thou be with me in
paradise” (v 43) speaks of
salvation to all who trust Him as Lord and Savior. This peak to the issue of
some will recognize Jesus for who He really is and accept Him while desiring to
spend eternity with Him while others will not make the connection or refuse to
accept Him as Lord and Savior. Jesus’ third words speak of love when He utters
“Woman, behold thy son…Behold thy
mother” (John 19:26-27).
What is being displayed during His dying hours is Jesus expressing concerns for
the welfare of His mother while leaving her in the trusted hands of someone who
would care for her every need. Also, these words give children the
responsibility caring for their dependent parents.
According to
scripture during the three hours of darkness from noon until 3 PM Jesus spoke
no words. During those hours of darkness history records that all of the
elements of nature went out of control as we know them to operate. The earth
acted as if it was drunk, the sun refused to shine; you could say it turned its
face toward heaven and looked at the Father, saying “I cannot watch Your Son
die.” The moon hid itself. About 3 o’clock Jesus began to speak what is
considered spiritual words on this order, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Mark 15:34; Matthew 27:46). This
phrase depicts the separation Jesus experienced from His father as the sinner’s
substitute. These words can be looked upon as the apex of Christ’s suffering
for a lost world and the Father could not look on His Son dying for all
humanity’s sins. The thought of Christ dying forsaken so mankind would never be
forsaken should make us all shout Hallelujah! Thank God for Jesus! Next Christ
addresses His physical need, again fulfilling scripture by saying “I thirst” (John 19:28);
they gave Jesus vinegar to quench His thirst. From this we see again prophecy
being fulfilled according to Psalm 69:21. Christ’s victory/triumph over death
and sin states “It is
finished”
(John19:30). This phrase states that Christ’s earthly mission was complete. He
had fulfilled all prophecies. He had completed the redemptive work as the
sacrificial Lamb of God by shedding His blood as atonement for sin. He had won
a decisive victory over Satan. He had reconciled man back to God bridging the
spiritual divide that once existed between humanity and God. Finally, when Christ
stated “It is finished”, He committed
Himself to the Father when He stated “Father, into thy hands I commend
my spirit”
(Luke 23:46). At this point Jesus gave His life over to death and His spirit
went home to the Father (Psalm 31:5). Therefore, no one can say that they took
Jesus’ life because He came to earth to give His life as a ransom for humanity
and through all the physical agony He experienced Christ remained on the cross
until the end. Jesus may have died on Friday, but the Savior Jesus Christ rose on Sunday
(Resurrection) morning with all power.
I am glad He did what He did!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
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