The seven last words of Jesus on the cross demonstrate both his humanity and his divinity, and capture the last moment Jesus went through to gain our forgiveness. Father forgive them, for they know not what they do: (Luke 23:34) Forgiveness for those who arrested condemned and executed Jesusbut also forgiveness those who drove the nails into the hands of Jesus, and those who mocked him. It is amazing to see the boundless mercy of Jesus. The first words He utters when he goes onto the Cross are words of forgiveness.
This echoes what Jesus feels today when he looks down upon us and says the same words of forgiveness Parallel verse: Matt 5:44 Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you– Jesus is putting in practice his own teachings! 2. Today, you will be with Me in Paradise: (Luke 23:43) There were two thieves crucified on either side of Jesus, both gasping for life, and in horrible pain. The thief on the right had been watching Jesus; he knew this man was innocent. He just heard Jesus asking God to forgive the peoplethe thief hears about forgiveness straight from Jesus. So the thief says this man is innocent.
He defends Jesus, while no one else does! He knows he’s close to deathso he asks Jesus remember me when you come to your kingdomhe turns to Jesus for forgiveness, and Christ accepted himtoday you will be with me in paradise. Jesus did not say “maybe” or “let me think about it” HE say TODAY!! And with me (JC)not alone! This shows it is never too late to turn to Christ. Even in His (Jesus) misery, he had mercy on this criminal Parallel verse: Hebrew 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more” 3. Woman behold your son!Behold your mother!: (John 19:26-27) In the midst of all His pain, Jesus understands his mother Mary’s pain of watching her son being crucified, he understands this and tells John, his beloved disciple to care for her.
The term woman at that time is a term of dignity and affection. Jesus is symbolically establishes Mary as the mother of all faithful disciples. Jesus first thinks about forgiving other, then about accepting a sinner, then about familyshows how much He cares for others, and how we should too. Parallel verse: 1Timothy 5:8 4. My God, My God why have You forsaken Me: (Matt 27:46) Now the whole earth is dark, and we hear a voice crying out! Jesus says “Eloi, Eloi” which has the same meaning but in the Syrian language. This shows the seriousness of sin committed by humankind, and this sin dictated Jesus to take the guilt upon Him and crucifying sin. This does not mean God has forgotten Jesus; it shows God allowed Jesus to suffer and bear sin. Also, Jesus is referring to Psalm 22; at that time, psalms weren’t known by the number, but by the opening verse. The whole psalm is a prophecy of all events on good Friday. Parallel verse: (Psalm 22:1) ” My God, My God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning” This is not mean that God the father has turned his back on Jesus, but it was Jesus appealing to God.
I thirst! (John 19:28) Jesus said this to fulfill the scripture as it says in John, but Jesus was human as well as divine and his sufferings were real. He had carried the cross under the scorching sun at noon, and had sweat a lot. He had been whipped and lost a lot of blood, and the thorns were piercing his head, the nails are in his body. You would be thirsty too! But he did not say I thirst to get water, b/c he knew they would give him vinegar to drink.
Its like when he told the Samaritan woman he was thirsty, he wants us to drink of the living waterthe water of salvation. Parallel verse: (John 4:13-14) 6. It is finished!: John 19:30 Jesus came to FINISH God’s work of Salvation to pay the full penalty for our sins. The work of salvation is now finished and we have forgiveness of sins, and promise of eternal life! This cry was a triumphant cry. Jesus had fought and won! Parallel verse: John 17: 4-I have glorified you on earth, I have finished the work which you have given me to dowhen Jesus was praying in the garden of Gesthame. 7.
Father into your hands I commend my sprit: (Luke 23:46) Commend means entrust Jesus just said the act of redemption is finished, so now he needs to depart his body, and he entrusts God with his Spirit. Jesus is showing us here our spirit does not vanish with death. This is the beginning of the chance of eternal life for our spirits. Parallel verse: Psalms 31:5-“into your hands I commit my spirit, you have redeemed me o lord of truth”
