The Final Seven

 

 Last year, Pappy and I went to an Easter service where seven different pastors from local churches spoke on the last seven phrases that were spoken by our precious Jesus as he hung on the cross....dying for our sins.  As we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus....let's refresh our memories of those final seven:

1.   Forgiveness 

Luke 23:34

“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

I'm reminded of the song....

"When He Was On the Cross, 

You Were On His mind".

2.  Salvation 

Luke 23:43

“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This thief who was hanging on the cross beside Jesus was forgiven of his sins 

"at the eleventh hour"....simply because he believed in Jesus and admitted that he was a sinner and deserved to die for his sins.

3.  Love 

John 19:26-27

to Mary....“Dear woman, here is your son.”   

to John....“Here is your mother.”  

Even in the midst of His pain and suffering, He still was making sure that His mother would be taken care of after His death.

4.  Anguish 

Matthew 27:46

“Eli, Eli,lema sabachthani?”....which means 

....“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

This phrase hurts me.

Since Jesus took our sins upon Himself, God could not look upon the sin....so He turned His face from His One and Only Son.  Aren't you grateful that God doesn't turn His back on us today? 

5.  Suffering 

 John 19:28

"I am thirsty." 

A statement of proof that Jesus suffered just like we would as a human being.  He was very much human....and God at the same time!

6.  Victory 

John 19:30

"It is finished". 

When the young pastor spoke on these three words....I could hardly contain my excitement because his enthusiasm spread thru the crowd.  I sat enthralled as he explained that the Greek word for it is finished is "tetelestai" (tu-tell-is-tie).  The word was written on business documents, or receipts in the New Testament times to show that a bill had been paid in full.  The connection between receipts and what Christ had accomplished would have been made clear to John's Greek-speaking readers....it would have been made clear that Jesus Christ had died to pay for their sins!!!

AMEN...and AMEN!!!

7.  Contentment  

 Luke 23:46

  “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”

 Jesus final words on the cross were to His Heavenly Father and what a wonderful example to us today....that we can entrust our own heart into the hands of our Lord!

My HOPE to each of you, my sweet readers, is that you celebrate this Easter season with great joy in your soul....that Jesus died for you!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!