Issue 1565 _ The Seven Sayings – Part One – October 3, 2024
Yesterday, I discussed the idea that Jesus’ death was natural, unnatural, and supernatural. It was preordained from before the beginning of the world and prophesied in detail. In short, it was one of a kind.
I was introduced to a topic early in my Christian walk and have returned to meditating on it again and again. I think I even did a series on it back in the early days of Gleanings, although that has long since disappeared when the backup hard drive was lost. That topic is “The Seven Sayings of Christ on the Cross.”
Seven words, or sayings, were recorded as being said by Jesus while on the cross. Each of them is profound, although we typically skip over them. They have occupied the minds of many a theologian and pastor, and at least several books have been written on them.
There have been more deaths than could be counted since the fall from grace in the Garden of Eden, but there has only been one like this. Jesus’ death is unique. Hundreds of thousands (or more) of people died by crucifixion, but Jesus’ death stands alone. Untold people have been innocent of the crimes they were killed for, but only Jesus was sinless and totally innocent.
Mankind and the powers of darkness did their worst to keep the light from shining because they love the dark. The very act that they used for the most vile of purposes was orchestrated and used by God to work the polar opposite. They chose to silence Jesus. His death glorifies God and proclaims the saving truth of the gospel for all who seek the light.
In their mocking, Jew and Gentile alike called him “King of the Jews,” all the while missing that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was in their presence.
Jesus was raised from the dead, but the Scriptures also record that truth for others. The difference is that Jesus did not stay dead.
Indeed, humankind’s wisdom and ways are not God’s wisdom and ways. A peasant boy, born in a subjugated country not much more than a tiny Roman colony, killed horrifically… not the way the world would script the origins of the Savior of the world.
Today, we start looking at the so-called “Seven Sayings on the Cross,” or as it is sometimes named, the “Seven Words of Jesus on the Cross.” In the days ahead, we will consider each of them in some depth.
Every word spoken by Jesus, as recorded by the gospel writers, is packed full of meaning. A mere handful of phrases spoken in a time of unbelievable agony with each and every word spoken for a purpose and with power.
Jesus had the power to lay down His life or pick it up; the full power of the Godhead was available to Him. He could have spoken nonstop or not spoken at all. The fact that He is sovereign over all things, including his pain-filled utterances, should cause us to pay close attention to the words He chose to speak.
The sayings have typically been named through church history (albeit with some variance) as follows…
1. The Word of Forgiveness
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34a
2. The Word of Salvation
… he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43
3. The Word of Affection
… standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” John 19:25-26
4. The Word of Anguish
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46
5. The Word of Suffering
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” John 19:28
6. The Word of Victory
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30
7. The Word of Contentment
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:46
These sayings are a few short sentences, not many words at all, even less in the original Greek manuscripts. Still, they are profound and worth meditating on. Each one tells us something about the very heart of God.
Tomorrow, we will begin with the words of forgiveness.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
__________________________________________
Please share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment.
Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.
Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1
___________________________________________
(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.