“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” –Luke 23:34.
In the darkest hours imaginable, in deep suffering and agony, Jesus spoke from the cross. We go to all four gospels to get the “Seven Sayings of Jesus from the Cross.”
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was at the cross. Her heart breaking, she was there to the end. We remember it was written of her even when He was born, that she “kept all these sayings and pondered them in her heart.” Now we see her at the cross, her son dying the cruelest death known to mankind. And there, near her, is John, who calls himself the “beloved disciple.” And Jesus says to her, referring to John: “Woman, behold your son” (John 19:26). And to John he says: “Behold your mother” (John 19:27). This parental caregiving act came amidst excruciating pain.
Jesus wanted to be assured someone would look after his aging mother. This concern, even while He was dying, shows the depths of His compassion.
“I thirst” (John 19:28). The order of Jesus’s words from the cross are hard to determine since we must go to all four gospels to gather them all. With the heat, the suffering and the effect of the crucifixion on His body, John alone has him saying, “I thirst.” His body in great pain and discomfort, He is offered vinegar on a sponge. Jesus could have just as well meant the mental agony of desertion, even by Holy Father God, who could not look upon Jesus, clothed in sin, dying for us. “I thirst.” This direct statement has such a multiplicity of meanings.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus knew what the people were doing; those who were crucifying Him, who had determined to trap and have His death, those who were railing and ridiculing Him, Jesus knew what they were doing. But how could all of those who brought about His death and who were gathered now to see him die know what His death meant? Or why it must come to pass? This statement of Jesus has all the pathos of His seeing those participating in the act of crucifixion and not having a clue to what they were doing. “Father, forgive them.” With what depth and understanding Jesus spoke those words! They include even me!
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). These words were said to the believing criminal on one of the crosses. He had recognized and accepted Jesus as the dying Son of God. His belief was sufficient. And his reward was to be instantaneous: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” How these words have brought comfort to countless believers through all time since the cross!
“ ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). For three hours, from the sixth to the ninth, darkness had covered the whole land. Even God seemed removed from the scene of suffering and shame. Is it any wonder Christ lamented? Some wise scholars have suggested that God had to look away since He cannot look upon and tolerate sin. And in that moment Jesus was fulfilling His purpose on earth, becoming sin and at the same time sacrificing Himself for sin. He was restoring fellowship with God.
“I thirst” (John 19:28). The order of Jesus’s words from the cross are hard to determine since we must go to all four gospels to gather them all. With the heat, the suffering and the effect of the crucifixion on His body, John alone has him saying, “I thirst.” His body in great pain and discomfort, He is offered vinegar on a sponge. Jesus could have just as well meant the mental agony of desertion, even by Holy Father God, who could not look upon Jesus, clothed in sin, dying for us. “I thirst.” This direct statement has such a multiplicity of meanings.
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus knew what the people were doing; those who were crucifying Him, who had determined to trap and have His death, those who were railing and ridiculing Him, Jesus knew what they were doing. But how could all of those who brought about His death and who were gathered now to see him die know what His death meant? Or why it must come to pass? This statement of Jesus has all the pathos of His seeing those participating in the act of crucifixion and not having a clue to what they were doing. “Father, forgive them.” With what depth and understanding Jesus spoke those words! They include even me!
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). These words were said to the believing criminal on one of the crosses. He had recognized and accepted Jesus as the dying Son of God. His belief was sufficient. And his reward was to be instantaneous: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” How these words have brought comfort to countless believers through all time since the cross!
“ ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). For three hours, from the sixth to the ninth, darkness had covered the whole land. Even God seemed removed from the scene of suffering and shame. Is it any wonder Christ lamented? Some wise scholars have suggested that God had to look away since He cannot look upon and tolerate sin. And in that moment Jesus was fulfilling His purpose on earth, becoming sin and at the same time sacrificing Himself for sin. He was restoring fellowship with God.
During the final phase of this act of restoration, God Himself was temporarily out of physical sight of the Son of God. Darkness prevailed—but only for a time.
“Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit” (Luke 23:46). Here is a victory cry. God has not gone away, not permanently. Jesus can again commit Himself to the loving care of the Father.
“It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus was given “sour wine” mixed with hyssop. With this last wetting of his lips, He uttered these final words from the cross, “It is finished!” And he bowed His head and died. For all time, it was finished, the mission was accomplished, the sacrifice was worthy, sufficient and timeless. No other death would be required by God for payment of the sin offering. “It is finished.” Thanks be to Jesus Christ!
Today, called Maundy Thursday, we solemnly celebrate the Lord’s Supper in our churches. This commemorates Jesus’ institution of that memorial with His disciples in the Upper Room. It is a good time for us personally to think again of Jesus’ words from the cross. Spoken in agony and with a meaning deeper than one brief devotional can ever convey, these words resound through time and eternity to let us know that in death Jesus loved us. In His death we gain life.
“Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit” (Luke 23:46). Here is a victory cry. God has not gone away, not permanently. Jesus can again commit Himself to the loving care of the Father.
“It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus was given “sour wine” mixed with hyssop. With this last wetting of his lips, He uttered these final words from the cross, “It is finished!” And he bowed His head and died. For all time, it was finished, the mission was accomplished, the sacrifice was worthy, sufficient and timeless. No other death would be required by God for payment of the sin offering. “It is finished.” Thanks be to Jesus Christ!
Today, called Maundy Thursday, we solemnly celebrate the Lord’s Supper in our churches. This commemorates Jesus’ institution of that memorial with His disciples in the Upper Room. It is a good time for us personally to think again of Jesus’ words from the cross. Spoken in agony and with a meaning deeper than one brief devotional can ever convey, these words resound through time and eternity to let us know that in death Jesus loved us. In His death we gain life.
c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, April 1, 2010
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