So the Last Sayings of King of kings are far important from those of natural fathers before they depart from this world. So during The Good Friday we remember what He said, and what could be preserved in those words. What is literally viewed as His first sayings on the cross is found in the following verse: “...Father, forgive them, for they do not know what do” (Luke 23:34).
The only reason for these words to be uttered was for us to know that when people do wrong to you your posture is not to curse but rather ask the Father to forgive them. This gives you full satisfaction as a child of God not to seek someone’s sympathy or empathy after they hurt you. We know that this event was orchestrated for God’s glory in His Son. However, Jesus said this, and we learn that it is significant to forgive as there will always be people who will challenge you in life. After all, James says, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10).
This is to remind us as believers that as mouths bless God and people are incapable of cursing. Should you find a Christian who is like that, know that they are not saved. As I might have mentioned that the apostle James might have been left to preach among the Jews, these words might have been directed to the gnostic Jews and the Jews who were new in the faith. We know that the Jews, all their lives knew that, when someone curses you, you can justly curse them back. In grace, James redirects their doctrine a different way as we see also what Jesus said in Luke 23.
The second sayings of Jesus on the cross I quote: “...Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). This is the part I like the most in this book that Jesus made this promise to this criminal that He is going to be with Him in Paradise. This man is a criminal, unlike Jesus; he is there because he has done something wrong. According to the law, in order for God to accept him he has to make restitution.
But guess what, the Lord did not ask him what he did to be there or even ask him to confess all his sins. Was he forgiven? Oh yes, he was 100% forgiven. Many people focus on the confession part as imperative prerequisite for forgiveness, hey, your acceptance of the Lamb (The Lord Jesus) and your confession of faith in Him (The Lord Jesus) makes you to be saved, and forgiven. Look at the words of faith, “...Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). This criminal by saying this, he was already showing the faith in Jesus that He was the Lord of the kingdom of heaven.
The third sayings of Jesus on the cross I quote: “...‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which is translated, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” (Mark 15:34). This for me denotes rejection, however, the Lord Jesus was rejected that we may not be rejected by the Father but that we always be accepted. This was the first time in the history of the trinity to be separated. Jesus was always with the Father and the Holy Spirit until that day on the cross. This was unprecedented.
Our sins caused this! When God looked upon His Son, He could no longer see His son and the Son could no longer see God as the Father but as God as Judge. This was caused by our sins. They covered Jesus in such a way the Father could no longer be near Him. Why? The Father is so righteous and holy; therefore He cannot be associated with sin. This was the first time Jesus referred to Him as God rather than Father. When He was crucified on the cross to He absorbed all our condemnations, God’s wrath towards us, iniquities, transgressions, and infirmities. We are now free!
In fact, in reconciliation to this, Paul said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). When we give our lives to Jesus, we can no longer live according to the flesh, therefore, there is no more condemnation for us. All thanks to Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
The fourth sayings of Jesus on the cross I quote: “...‘Woman, behold your son!’ (...) Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother’” (John 19:26). I would think that Jesus would have said this after crying, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me.’ Then, He encourages families to stick together in hard times more especially. During this time He was on the cross, Mary had John who was Jesus’ disciple. Jesus and John had almost a father and son kind of relationship, because of the heart of John. The bible records that John is the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Who wrote that? It is John Himself! John is not the favourite disciple of Jesus, but John is practicing the love of Jesus upon him. It is like if my friend went out on lunch and later on I check my diary and I write about this important day, and write, ‘My friend Tshepo, Rudolph and I went out on lunch together, a day well spent with the man whom Jesus loves (Referring to myself). Does Jesus love them lesser? No! I’m practising the love of Jesus in my life, I know of our relationship not with them.
The fifth sayings of Jesus on the cross I quote: “...I thirst!” (John 19:28). I think it’s important to remember what Jesus taught them on the Mountain of Beatitudes. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). This is the blessing He promised, and we find Him being thirsty physically for natural water, but no one could give Him water to drink, they rather gave Him sour wine or vinegar, something which deteriorated the pains of His wounds.
Well, physically Jesus was tired and had lost lots of blood as He was being beaten all day long and He lost lot of blood. He was not filled with water, however, He received that sourness that we today our thirst which is spiritual may be quenched. Hey! This thirst will not be quenched by cold drinks or water, but by accepting the finished works of Christ on the cross. Now believe your thirst for God’s righteousness is quenched.
The sixth sayings of Jesus on the cross I quote: “...It is finished!...” (John 19:30). When Jesus said these words, it is almost like He was separating the Old Testament and the New Testament. The bible says, “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:51-53).
Take note, Paul said, “Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech--unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:12-17).
I guess it’s clear that the law is the veil, when the veil was torn apart from top to bottom it was a symbol of the New Covenant. It had to be our Lord Jesus who put an end to the Old Covenant. Now it is not good for any men to boast on the law or on your self-efforts, because Paul says that is to put a veil or covering over your face. If your face is covered, you won’t be able to see where you are going. Let the veil be removed from your face that you may see God’s grace manifesting in your life.
The seventh sayings of Jesus on the cross I quote: “...Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit...” (Luke 23:46). I think what is important here is not what He said but what transpired right after this. The bible records that He gave up His spirit and bowed His head. It is important to note that Jesus dismissed His own Spirit and surrendered it to the Father and He bowed His head. Nothing happened by force, but even death submitted to Him although He looked so servile to it. He surrendered to it as burnt offering that all our transgressions, iniquities, guilt, condemnation etc. may die with Him.
Jesus was not overtaken by death, but He surrendered to it. Child of God, know this, God is holy and He is actually thrice holy therefore He cannot be associated with sin. Satan created sin, he is the father of sin because there is no one above him, God in His nature could not kill Satan but He has to be just to judge the devil justly. So Child of God, don't worry about the devil, he has no power over your life.
Stay in health by the love of God.
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