God loves me. Why? His choice and His grace alone; nothing about me deserves
either His grace or love. Rather than leave me in my sin, He sent his own
son, Jesus, to pay the penalty my sin demanded. Although Jesus lived a
sinless life, he died in my place. Before He died, he spoke seven times from
the cross. These are His words.
1 Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
The first words from the cross are not about the pain or the injustice. They
are a prayer for those who have just crucified the very Son of God.
2 Verily, I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise. Luke
23:43
Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost. Now, at his hour of death
he offers eternal salvation to the repentant thief hanging next to him. The
offer still stands for all who repent and believe. Sadly, most will not, or
try their own way to believe or be religious.
3 Woman, behold thy son., behold thy mother. John 19:26, 27
Jesus cares about those who love Him. When He saw his mother weeping at the
foot of the cross, he made provision for her. He instructed John to take
care of her. Jesus knows and cares about our needs.
4 My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46
Separation from God is hell. There was no greater agony for Jesus than to be
separated from God. Yet he willingly endured this suffering on our behalf.
Those who refuse to repent and believe still face the agony of eternal
separation from God in a very real hell. Repent and believe, while there is
still time!
5 I thirst. John 19:28
Jesus, though divine, assumed our human nature at conception in order that
the penalty due the human race would be borne by a human who never sinned.
The agony of Jesus’ thirst demonstrates the reality of his physical
suffering on our behalf. That the Son of God should become man is a mystery.
That our sin and guilt can be laid on him is a mystery. But we believe and
are saved!
6 It is finished. John 19:30
The just anger of God against sin lay upon Jesus at His crucifixion. Now the
penalty was paid. My salvation was complete. Because of Jesus, we who
believe are reconciled to God and are members of God’s family now and for
eternity.
7 Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Luke 23:46
The wages of sin is death. Jesus paid that price for all His own. After
three days, God raised him from the grave, showing Jesus was God and that
the sacrifice was accepted. After appearing to many of his believers, Jesus
went to heaven where He is today, still giving of Himself on our behalf.
The salvation won for us by the sacrifice of Jesus is not for everyone. It
is only for those who repent and believe.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
“Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!”