The Last Seven Sentences of Jesus on the Cross
1. Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots.”
Jesus forgave those who were mocking Him. We are followers of Jesus; we have to forgive as Jesus forgave; If we are attacked and are mocked, we have the Spirit of God within us to help us forgive as Jesus forgave. When we are hurt, we know better what we should do – forgive as He forgives. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
2. Luke 23:42-43
“Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
Jesus forgave, unconditionally, this thief who was crucified with Him. Jesus gladly gave this man eternal life. That was Jesus’ purpose in coming to the earth. I can imagine that although Jesus was suffering to the maximum, at this moment, He felt joy for a sinner turned saint. Eternal life was the gift given and the gift received that day on the cross.
3. John 19:26-27
“When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”
Jesus did not leave any detail unfinished. He was very aware of Mary’s deep sorrow and personal pain, and He asked John to take care of her. The disciple John and Jesus were very close, and He knew John was broken hearted also, so He asked Mary to take in John as if he were her own son. Jesus showed love and kindness to His own family even while suffering on the cross.
4. Matthew 27:46
“About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”).
Jesus carried the weight of humanity on that cross, the sins of all mankind. This cry from the cross was prophesied in Psalm 22:1. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Sometimes we feel like God abandons us. But remember, Jesus had more to say on the cross than this anguished cry (see point 6 below).
5. John 19:28
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
Here we see the human part of Jesus. After what He suffered on the cross, He was humanly thirsty. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
6. John 19:30
“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”
Jesus’ death was a triumph. Jesus was a victor. This was a victory cry. We too can be victorious when we hold tightly to our faith in God. God will not abandon us. Even when it seems like all is not going well, we can be sure that God has not forgotten us. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He meant that he finished what He came to do. He did God’s will by paying for the very last sin. The original word was “tetelestai” which is a commercial term that means “paid for.” Our sins were paid for on that cross.
7. Luke 23:46
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” When He had said this, He breathed His last.”
Jesus’ first words on the cross began with “Father” and now His last words begin the same way. Jesus laid down His life for mankind. “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of My own accord.” (John 10:18) And before Jesus breathed His last breath, Jesus spoke directly to His heavenly Father, committing to Him this full sacrifice of His life. This amazing love was for God and for us.
Jesus knew of His resurrection to life to come and the joy of eternal life for all who believed in Him. “For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame,” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus summed it up Himself when He told His disciples, “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Luke 9:22)
Because He lives, we live through faith in Him. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9)
Blessed Easter, the Editor
Published: 04/16/2019
Archived News