The Seven Sayings of Jesus from the Cross

1. "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do..." (Luke 23:34). As the supreme example of love, even in the hour of His death, Jesus prayed for those who mocked Him, and put Him to death. What an example... What matchless love!

2. "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise..." (Luke 23:43). You and I are unworthy of eternal life. Even so, like the thief, we may receive the opposite of what we really deserve. Jesus demonstrated God’s everlasting love and indescribable mercy by forgiving the thief. He also offered him much needed hope and assurance. That same forgiveness, hope, and assurance is available today... For Jesus is willing to receive and save all sinners who truly come to Him!

3. "Woman, behold thy son... Behold thy mother..." (John 19:26-27). In the midst of His suffering, prior to His death, Jesus made sure that His mother would be cared for. He demonstrated His concern for her, and left us with yet another enduring example of love and selflessness. That same love and concern is extended to all men, but especially to those who trust in Him. Truly, Jesus is willing, and able to save us... As the Good Shepherd, He will care for His own sheep, and will never forsake them.

4. "My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?..." (Matt. 27:46). What did Jesus mean when He said this?... His suffering was not just physical, but spiritual. The sins of all men were being laid upon Him, and God’s wrath against those sins was being poured out on Him. He felt the displeasure of God the Father, and truly bore our iniquities. The sinless Lamb of God became our subsititute, and sacrificed Himself so that we could be saved from our sin, and the wrath of God forever.

5. "I thirst..." (John 19:28). Jesus physical suffering was great. His back was torn open by cruel weapons of torture. His scalp was punctured by sharp thorns. He was bruised and bleeding, pierced, and hanging on a cross. As the day and the suffering wore on, he became thirsty. Even though the pain was excruciating, He did not ask to be pulled down from the cross. What He was doing there had to be done, and had to be carried out to the end. In all of his anguish, He did not ask for the suffering to cease, He only asked for a drink.

6. "It is finished..." (John 19:30). All of the work that the Father sent Jesus to do was done. He lived a perfect life, and kept the whole Law. He submitted to the will of the Father in every thing, and even sacrificed Himelf in order to pay for the sins of men. Through His suffering and death on the cross, the wrath of God had been poured out on Him, and was satisfied. Jesus became the divine subsititute, and did all that was needed to be done for men to be saved. The work of salvation was, and is truly "finished". It can never be added to, and needs no addition. Those who trust in Jesus will be saved because of what He did, and because of what He finished.

7. "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit..." (Luke 23:46). Jesus last words were a testimony to who He was, and who He is. In His life, He trusted the Father in every way. In His death, He entrusted Him with His spirit. But death was not the end. God raised Jesus from the dead, and now promises eternal life to all who trust in Him!