It is Good Friday today and we will be reflecting on the 7 statements Jesus made on the cross and their meaning. The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the most pivotal events in human history. As Jesus hung on the cross, He uttered several powerful statements that carry deep spiritual significance. These statements reveal profound truths about His identity, mission, and the redemption of mankind. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning of Jesus' statements on the cross, as recorded in the Bible, and uncover the rich insights they offer.
#1. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Despite the excruciating pain and suffering He was enduring, Jesus' first statement on the cross was a prayer for forgiveness. He asked God to forgive those who were crucifying Him, including the Roman soldiers and the religious leaders who had orchestrated His crucifixion. This remarkable act of forgiveness demonstrates Jesus' unfathomable love and compassion, even towards His enemies. It also reflects His divine nature as the Son of God, who came to reconcile humanity to God through His sacrifice.
Moreover, Jesus' words reveal the ignorance of those who crucified Him. He acknowledged that they did not fully comprehend the gravity of their actions, highlighting the depth of human sinfulness and the need for divine forgiveness. Jesus' example teaches us the importance of forgiveness, even in the face of great suffering, and the need to pray for those who wrong us, following His command to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
#2. "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
Jesus uttered these words in response to one of the criminals who was crucified alongside Him, who had acknowledged Jesus' innocence and asked Him to remember him when He entered His kingdom. Jesus' response reveals His authority to forgive sins and His promise of salvation to those who repent and believe in Him, regardless of their past mistakes or sins.
This statement also teaches us the immediacy and certainty of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The criminal's request for salvation was not based on his good works or merits, but solely on his faith in Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus' assurance that the criminal would be with Him in paradise that very day demonstrates the reality of heaven and the hope that awaits all who trust in Him.
#3. "Woman, here is your son." / "Here is your mother." (John 19:26-27)
As Jesus hung on the cross, He saw His mother, Mary, and the beloved disciple, John, standing nearby. He entrusted the care of His mother to John and vice versa. This statement reveals Jesus' tender care for His mother, even in the midst of His own suffering, and highlights the importance of family relationships and community care.
Furthermore, Jesus' words also have symbolic significance. Mary represents all humanity as she stood at the foot of the cross, and John represents the Church, the community of believers. Jesus' statement emphasizes the establishment of a new spiritual family, where believers are united as brothers and sisters in Christ, and are called to love and care for one another as Jesus has loved and cared for us.
#4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46 / Mark 15:34)
This statement is perhaps one of the most poignant and mysterious utterances of Jesus on the cross. As Jesus bore the sins of humanity and experienced the weight of separation from God, He cried out in anguish, quoting Psalm 22:1. In this moment, Jesus identified with the depth of human suffering and the darkness of sin, as He bore the full weight of humanity's guilt and shame.
However, Jesus' cry of abandonment also reveals the depth of His sacrifice and the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption. In that moment, Jesus, who had always been in perfect communion with the Father, experienced the temporary separation from God, taking on the consequences of sin on behalf of humanity. This underscores the magnitude of Jesus' sacrificial love and the extent to which He was willing to go to reconcile humanity to God.
Moreover, Jesus' quotation of Psalm 22:1 also points to the fulfillment of prophecy. Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm that vividly portrays the suffering and agony of the Messiah. By quoting this psalm, Jesus was not only expressing His own anguish, but also identifying Himself as the long-awaited Messiah, who was fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.
#5. "I am thirsty." (John 19:28)
As Jesus hung on the cross, enduring unimaginable pain and suffering, He expressed His physical thirst. This statement may seem like a simple request, but it carries significant spiritual symbolism. It points to the fulfillment of the Scriptures, as Jesus was again fulfilling a prophecy from the Old Testament, specifically Psalm 69:21, which foretold that the Messiah would be given vinegar to drink when He is thirsty.
Furthermore, Jesus' statement of thirst also signifies His humanity. Jesus, being fully God and fully human, experienced the physical limitations and agony of His human body. This serves as a reminder of Jesus' incarnation, His willingness to take on human flesh and identify with the human condition, in order to save humanity.
#6. "It is finished." (John 19:30)
Jesus' final statement on the cross, "It is finished," is a declaration of victory and completion. In the original Greek, the phrase used is "tetelestai," which was an accounting term meaning "paid in full" or "accomplished." Jesus was proclaiming that His mission to redeem humanity was accomplished, and the debt of sin was fully paid.
This statement carries immense significance as it represents the culmination of God's plan of salvation. Through His death on the cross, Jesus conquered sin, defeated death, and provided a way for humanity to be reconciled to God. It is a declaration of the finished work of salvation, and a source of hope and assurance for all who believe in Him.
#7. "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke 23:46)
This statement indicates reunion with the Father. It also tells of Jesus' total submission that even at death, he still reverenced the Father.
In conclusion, Jesus' statements on the cross hold deep spiritual truths that reveal His identity, mission, and the redemption of humanity. They showcase His unfathomable love, perfect obedience, and sacrificial offering for the sins of the world. Through His words, Jesus demonstrated forgiveness, compassion, and care, and fulfilled prophecies from the Old Testament. His final declaration of "It is finished" signifies the completion of God's plan of salvation and offers hope and assurance to all who put their faith in Him.
As we reflect on Jesus' statements on the cross, may we be reminded of the magnitude of His sacrifice and the depth of His love for us. May we be inspired to live lives that reflect His example of forgiveness, compassion, and obedience, and may we embrace the hope and assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Let us continually marvel at the profound meaning of Jesus' statements on the cross and let them deepen our faith and transform our lives.
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