THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS FROM THE CROSS
After going through a night of injustice, falsely accused and horribly mistreated, Jesus was nailed to a cruel Roman cross. As the nails were piercing his hands and feet, he prayed, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM. THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.” A criminal crucified with him scolded him for not using his power to save them, but the criminal on the other side of Jesus scolded the thief for his harsh words, and turning to Jesus, prayed, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus said, “TRULY I SAY TO YOU, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.” Looking down from the cross, Jesus sees his mother and the Apostle, John. To his mother he said, “WOMAN, BEHOLD YOUR SON,” and to John he said, “BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER.” At high noon, the world was plunged into darkness and Jesus cried out, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” The darkness remained for three hours. Then, at 3 pm, Jesus said “I THIRST,” a statement that revealed his horrible physical suffering. After being given wine vinegar on a sponge, he said, “IT IS FINISHED!” meaning that the redemption had been purchased with precious blood of the “Lamb of God.” Then he prayed, “FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT.” Bowing his head, He died; at the same time there was a great earthquake.
With loving hands his body was taken down, hastily prepared for burial, and placed in a borrowed tomb. By then the sun set, and the Sabbath began, and Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. A huge stone was placed by the Romans at the door of the tomb. The stone bore the seal of the mighty Roman Empire, yet early on Sunday morning, the stone was rolled away, and an angel appeared, announcing, “He is not here; he is risen!”
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SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
1. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:34)
2. Today you will be with me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43)
3. Behold your son. Behold your mother. (John 19:26-27)
4. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)
5. I thirst. (John 19:28)
6. It is finished! (John 19:30)
7. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46)