THE 7 SAYINGS THE 7 SAYINGS FROM THE CROSSFROM THE CROSS

Tim BenchTim Bench

Janaury 11, 2015Janaury 11, 2015

The timeless and eternal The timeless and eternal relevance of these wordsrelevance of these words

"Last words are always impressive, "Last words are always impressive, especially when they come from the especially when they come from the lips of one dearly loved. It is lips of one dearly loved. It is significant that He spoke seven times significant that He spoke seven times from the cross — a complete from the cross — a complete interpretation of the stupendous interpretation of the stupendous event that was being enacted. Each event that was being enacted. Each of these sayings is an ocean of truth of these sayings is an ocean of truth compressed into a drop of speech" compressed into a drop of speech"

From “The Incomparable Christ” by J. Oswald From “The Incomparable Christ” by J. Oswald Sanders, page 155.Sanders, page 155.

Crucifixion, seen from the Cross by James Tissot, c. 1890

Sayings from the crossSayings from the cross

Many lessons that can be taught about the Many lessons that can be taught about the cross, but for our brief lesson here we are cross, but for our brief lesson here we are going to examining the 7 things that Jesus going to examining the 7 things that Jesus said from the cross. said from the cross.

Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is what makes New Testament Christianity what makes New Testament Christianity possible. It was through Jesus’ death and possible. It was through Jesus’ death and the shedding of His blood that it is made the shedding of His blood that it is made possible for us to have the forgiveness of possible for us to have the forgiveness of our sins. our sins.

Hebrews 9:15Hebrews 9:15

““And for this reason He is the And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where eternal inheritance. 16 For where there there is is a testament, there must also a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament testator. 17 For a testament is is in in force after men are dead, since it has force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator no power at all while the testator lives.”lives.”

The death and resurrection of The death and resurrection of Jesus…hope for us allJesus…hope for us all

Paul in I Corinthians 15:12Paul in I Corinthians 15:12 ““Now if Christ is preached that He has been Now if Christ is preached that He has been

raised from the dead, how do some among raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching Christ is not risen, then our preaching is is empty and your faith empty and your faith is is also empty. 15 Yes, also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up -- if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if -- if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the the dead do not rise, then Christ is not dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith faith is is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”the most pitiable.”

The first sayingThe first saying

Luke 23:33.Luke 23:33. ““And when they had come to the And when they had come to the

place called Calvary, there they place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, said, "Father, forgive them, for "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments And they divided His garments and cast lots.”and cast lots.”

From “Coffman's Commentaries on the From “Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible” at Bible” at www.studylight.org..

““This was the first of the seven utterances This was the first of the seven utterances of Jesus from the cross; and it has the of Jesus from the cross; and it has the utility of indicating two centers of utility of indicating two centers of forgiveness, one on the earth, the other in forgiveness, one on the earth, the other in heaven. It may not be supposed that Jesus' heaven. It may not be supposed that Jesus' prayer for the forgiveness of the soldiers prayer for the forgiveness of the soldiers who crucified him implied their immediate who crucified him implied their immediate forgiveness in heaven. Jesus, AS A MAN, forgiveness in heaven. Jesus, AS A MAN, forgave them; but the matter of their forgave them; but the matter of their eternal forgiveness was still contingent eternal forgiveness was still contingent upon their faith and acceptance of the upon their faith and acceptance of the terms of the Christian gospel.” terms of the Christian gospel.”

The first sayingThe first saying Imagine….Jesus has been arrested and falsely Imagine….Jesus has been arrested and falsely

accused at an unlawful trial by the Jews at night. accused at an unlawful trial by the Jews at night. He was drug to Pilate, then sent to Herod and He was drug to Pilate, then sent to Herod and then back to Pilate. Pilate was unable to find then back to Pilate. Pilate was unable to find anything Jesus had done worthy of death. anything Jesus had done worthy of death. Regardless, Jesus was scourged, beaten, and Regardless, Jesus was scourged, beaten, and mocked by soldiers and had a thorny crown mocked by soldiers and had a thorny crown shoved down on His head. shoved down on His head.

On the way to and at the cross, He is mocked, On the way to and at the cross, He is mocked, scorned, and taunted, suffering agonizing scorned, and taunted, suffering agonizing physical pain, and yet the reaction of Jesus is to physical pain, and yet the reaction of Jesus is to plead for the forgiveness of his tormenters.plead for the forgiveness of his tormenters.

See also Matthew 5:43-48 and Isaiah 53:7,12 and 1 Peter 2:21-24.See also Matthew 5:43-48 and Isaiah 53:7,12 and 1 Peter 2:21-24. Compare with Stephen’s words in Acts 7:60 regarding forgiveness Compare with Stephen’s words in Acts 7:60 regarding forgiveness

for those present.for those present. What an amazing example we see here of What an amazing example we see here of

forgiveness of those who may sin against us. forgiveness of those who may sin against us.

The second sayingThe second saying

Luke 23:39-42Luke 23:39-42 Then one of the criminals who were hanged Then one of the criminals who were hanged

blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 "And we the same condemnation? 41 "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."with Me in Paradise."

The second sayingThe second saying

At first both thieves were mocking Jesus, At first both thieves were mocking Jesus, but one thief had a change of heart and but one thief had a change of heart and He defended Jesus. Jesus assured Him He defended Jesus. Jesus assured Him that he would be in paradise with Him that that he would be in paradise with Him that day. day.

This scripture reaffirms to us some 2000 This scripture reaffirms to us some 2000 years later that when we die that we do years later that when we die that we do not cease to exist… our life here on earth not cease to exist… our life here on earth may be over, but we will begin a new and may be over, but we will begin a new and glorious life if we die as Christians. glorious life if we die as Christians.

““A Commentary on the Gospel A Commentary on the Gospel by Luke” by Leo Boles, page by Luke” by Leo Boles, page

453.453. ““This penitent malefactor had This penitent malefactor had

confessed his sins, reproved his confessed his sins, reproved his companion, defended Jesus, and now companion, defended Jesus, and now asked Jesus to remember him…Jesus asked Jesus to remember him…Jesus had observed the most profound had observed the most profound silence amidst the jeers of the rulers silence amidst the jeers of the rulers and multitude, but now he is ready to and multitude, but now he is ready to make reply to this penitent, dying make reply to this penitent, dying man.”man.”

The penitent thief’s The penitent thief’s salvation salvation

Many have argued over the centuries that Many have argued over the centuries that this verse proves baptism is NOT a this verse proves baptism is NOT a necessity for salvation. necessity for salvation.

This argument makes the assumption that This argument makes the assumption that the thief was NOT previously the thief was NOT previously baptized….we know almost nothing about baptized….we know almost nothing about this thief, not even his name, so this this thief, not even his name, so this argument is invalid. argument is invalid.

Others suggest that baptism was not a Others suggest that baptism was not a necessity until AFTER the death of necessity until AFTER the death of Jesus…..thus, the penitent thief was still Jesus…..thus, the penitent thief was still living under OT law. living under OT law.

(Demonstration of Devotion 3) by Max Lucadoby Max Lucado

“How disturbing to theologians to ascend the mountain of doctrine only to be greeted by an uneducated thief who cast his lot with Christ. Here is a man who never went to church, never gave an offering, never was baptized and said only one prayer, but that prayer was enough…”

There is no proof that this thief had not submitted to the baptism of John… “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins” (Mark 1:4-5).

Also, who is to say that the thief on the cross had not been baptized by one of Jesus’ disciples? “When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee” (John 4:1-3).

The third sayingThe third saying

John 19:26-27.John 19:26-27. When Jesus therefore saw His When Jesus therefore saw His

mother, and the disciple whom mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to He loved standing by, He said to His mother, His mother, "Woman, behold "Woman, behold your son!"your son!" 27 Then He said to 27 Then He said to the disciple, the disciple, "Behold your "Behold your mother!"mother!" And from that hour And from that hour that disciple took her to his own that disciple took her to his own home.home.

From “A Commentary on The From “A Commentary on The Gospel According to John” by Guy Gospel According to John” by Guy

Woods, page 407.Woods, page 407. ““The brothers of Jesus, sons of Mary The brothers of Jesus, sons of Mary

and Joseph, four in number, were and Joseph, four in number, were unbelievers (John 7:5); hence, Jesus unbelievers (John 7:5); hence, Jesus preferred that his mother be with the preferred that his mother be with the beloved disciple rather than with beloved disciple rather than with them…His earthly possessions, even them…His earthly possessions, even the clothes that he wore, had been the clothes that he wore, had been taken from him; this, his most taken from him; this, his most precious possession his enemies precious possession his enemies could not take and for her provision could not take and for her provision he arranged.”he arranged.”

The third sayingThe third saying

Surely, Mary must have been Surely, Mary must have been experiencing agony, watching her experiencing agony, watching her son be tormented and dying such a son be tormented and dying such a gruesome death. gruesome death.

Even though Jesus was suffering Even though Jesus was suffering incomprehensible agonies, He incomprehensible agonies, He wanted to make sure that His mother wanted to make sure that His mother was taken care of after he died….by was taken care of after he died….by a dedicated believer. Again this a dedicated believer. Again this shows how Jesus is always putting shows how Jesus is always putting others before Himself. others before Himself.

The fourth sayingThe fourth saying

Matthew 27:45-46Matthew 27:45-46 Now from the sixth hour until the Now from the sixth hour until the

ninth hour there was darkness ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?"Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, that is, "My God, My God, why have You "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?“forsaken Me?“

See also Psalm 22:1.See also Psalm 22:1.

The fourth sayingThe fourth saying

Jesus had endured hours of Jesus had endured hours of physical and emotional physical and emotional torment….and yet separation torment….and yet separation from God seems to be his from God seems to be his greatest pain, a pain endured greatest pain, a pain endured because of the sins of every because of the sins of every person here today and the person here today and the sins of every person who has sins of every person who has ever lived. ever lived.

The fourth sayingThe fourth saying ““We can imagine what it would mean to a We can imagine what it would mean to a

righteous man to feel that he was forsaken righteous man to feel that he was forsaken of God…the more we feel and enjoy the of God…the more we feel and enjoy the love of another, the greater our sense of love of another, the greater our sense of loss at being deprived of it.loss at being deprived of it.

Considering, therefore, the near and dear Considering, therefore, the near and dear relationship between the Son and father, it relationship between the Son and father, it is evident that we can never know or is evident that we can never know or fathom the depths of anguish which this fathom the depths of anguish which this cry expressed. Suffice it to say, that this cry expressed. Suffice it to say, that this was without doubt the most excruciating was without doubt the most excruciating of all Christ’s sufferings, and it, too, was a of all Christ’s sufferings, and it, too, was a suffering in our stead.”suffering in our stead.”

““The Fourfold Gospel” by JW McGarvey, page 730. The Fourfold Gospel” by JW McGarvey, page 730.

The fifth sayingThe fifth saying

John 19:28-29.John 19:28-29. After this, Jesus, knowing that all After this, Jesus, knowing that all

things were now accomplished, things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, fulfilled, said, "I thirst!""I thirst!" 29 Now 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put sponge with sour wine, put it it on on hyssop, and put hyssop, and put it it to His mouth.to His mouth.

See Psalm 69:21.See Psalm 69:21.

The fifth sayingThe fifth saying

Jesus, the savior of all mankind, had faced Jesus, the savior of all mankind, had faced and overcome every spiritual temptation and overcome every spiritual temptation and pitfall known to man. and pitfall known to man.

He also experienced the very same He also experienced the very same physicalphysical needs that mankind would ever face (in this needs that mankind would ever face (in this case, thirst). case, thirst).

““He now realizes his intense physical He now realizes his intense physical suffering , which had been forgotten in the suffering , which had been forgotten in the more awful mental anguish of abandonment more awful mental anguish of abandonment by his father as he bore the burden of the by his father as he bore the burden of the world’s sins.”world’s sins.”

““A Commentary on the Gospel of John” by David Lipscomb, A Commentary on the Gospel of John” by David Lipscomb, page 301. page 301.

The sixth sayingThe sixth saying

John 19:30.John 19:30. So when Jesus had received the sour So when Jesus had received the sour

wine, He said, wine, He said, "It is finished!""It is finished!" And And bowing His head, He gave up His bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.spirit.

His life’s work had been completed…His life’s work had been completed…the prophecies had been fulfilled, and the prophecies had been fulfilled, and the price of redemption had been the price of redemption had been paid in full. All of humanity who paid in full. All of humanity who would receive and believe on Him would receive and believe on Him would be for eternity the heirs and would be for eternity the heirs and beneficiaries. beneficiaries.

The mission of Jesus The mission of Jesus completedcompleted

““This is a cry of triumph. He had won the victory This is a cry of triumph. He had won the victory and had reached the end of his cruel pathway. It and had reached the end of his cruel pathway. It betokens a deep sensation of relief, relief from a betokens a deep sensation of relief, relief from a crushing burden, rest after agonizing toil. The crushing burden, rest after agonizing toil. The work of redemption was wrought. He had said, "I work of redemption was wrought. He had said, "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" His baptism of straitened till it be accomplished!" His baptism of suffering was now over. suffering was now over.

It is interesting to study all the words uttered by It is interesting to study all the words uttered by Jesus on the cross. By a comparison of all the Jesus on the cross. By a comparison of all the Evangelists this will be found to be his sixth Evangelists this will be found to be his sixth utterance. The three Evangelists all dwell upon utterance. The three Evangelists all dwell upon the loudness of the cry, as if it had been the the loudness of the cry, as if it had been the triumphant note of a conqueror.”triumphant note of a conqueror.”

B. W. Johnson, TB. W. Johnson, The New Testament Commentary: Vol. III--he New Testament Commentary: Vol. III--JohnJohn (1886), (1886), www.ccel.org. .

The seventh sayingThe seventh saying

Luke 23:46.Luke 23:46.

And when Jesus had cried And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He out with a loud voice, He said, said, "Father, 'into Your "Father, 'into Your hands I commend My hands I commend My spirit.' "spirit.' " Having said this, Having said this, He breathed His last.He breathed His last.

The immediate results of the The immediate results of the seventh and final saying from the seventh and final saying from the

crosscross Matthew 27:51-54.Matthew 27:51-54. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was Then, behold, the veil of the temple was

torn in two from top to bottom; and the torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 So when the centurion and those with him, So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!""Truly this was the Son of God!"