Friday, April 06, 2012
And when
they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on
him. Then they led him out to crucify him. – Mark 15:20
While
Jesus was on the cross he made seven statements. He actually preached seven one
sentence sermons. I want to encourage
you to reflect on each of these profound sentences and consider the richness
Christ brings to your life through His death on the cross. This is why it’s
Good Friday.
The First
Word:
Father,
forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
Luke 23:34
It
makes sense that Jesus’ first word from the cross is a word of forgiveness.
This is what he came to do: forgive me. My sins are gone and I am free. Good people do not go to heaven; forgiven
people do.
The Second
Word:
I tell you
the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:43
This was Jesus’ word to one of the thieves who
died next to him. What assurance to know that our faith in Jesus leads us to be
with him.
The Third
Word:
Jesus said
to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is
your mother.”
John
19:26-27
This
is a word of care and compassion from Jesus. He takes care of his mother in his
dying hour by having John take her in.
John Piper comments, “If Jesus can provide for his own in the moment of
his deepest need and humiliation; how much more can he provide for your need in
his present power and exaltation.
The Fourth
Word:
My God, My
God, why have you forsaken me?
Mark 15:34
Jesus
went through separation from God for a brief moment of time so I could always
be connected to God.
The Fifth
Word:
I am
thirsty.
John 19:28
Jesus
was not only physically thirsty but spiritually thirsty as well. My own thirst
has been quenched by the life-giving water of Jesus Christ.
The Sixth
Word:
It is
finished.
John 19:30
This
is a word of victory. Salvations plan has been completed by the work of Christ
on the cross. It is my privilege to begin where Jesus finished.
The
Seventh Word:
Father,
into your hands I commit my spirit.
Luke 23:46
This
is a word of reunion from Jesus. I can
commit my spirit into the good hands of God because Jesus died instead of me on
the cross.
When
you reflect on the cross your heart is overwhelmed with gratitude, praise and
humility. Isaac Watts wrote it best in
1707 with these words:
When I survey the
wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count
but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it Lord, that I
should boast, Save in the death of Christ my God;
All the vain things that
charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
See, from his head, His
hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e’er such love and
sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of
nature mine, that were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so
divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
AMEN.
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