Friday, March 29, 2013

Good Friday - Word from the Cross

Today is Good Friday, and my thoughts are focused on the cross. So many other Christians are doing the same today. It is a time of reflection and a time to think of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus gave us and that was to die on the cross for our sins. I thought of the time that Jesus was on the cross and wanted to focus on what he said and what scripture had to say about those last words, those dying words from Jesus Christ, our Savior.


So let us meditate on the seven verses spoken by Jesus from the Cross.
 
First verse: Jesus said, "Father, forgive them: for they do not know what they are doing." And they parted His garments, and cast lots (Luke 23:34).

Second verse:  One of the malefactors said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom".  Jesus said to him, "I tell you the Truth, today you will be with Me in paradise" (Luke 23:42-43)

Third verse: When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, Jesus said to His mother, "Dear woman, here is your son!"  Then He said to the disciple, "Here is your mother!" And from that hour, that disciple took her unto his own home (John 19:27).

Fourth verse:  After talking to His mother and the disciple, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst".

Fifth verse: When Jesus had received the vinegar, Jesus said, "It is finished" (John 19:30).  Jesus finished His work on the Cross in fulfillment of the Scriptures. We have to believe in His finished work at Calvary for our salvation and for our healing. We are also crucified with Him ( Gal.2:20). It is finished. Jesus will not again go to the Cross for giving us salvation or for healing our diseases.

Sixth verse:  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?" ( Mat.27:46).

Seventh verse: About the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, "Father into Thy hands I commend My Spirit" (Luke 23:45-46). The children of God on their deathbed have to commit their spirits into the hands of God after finishing their races in this world.

No comments: