What was Jesus thinking of while He was hung for 6 hours on the cross for us? The Bible records seven statements which He made. What can we learn from these last teachings on the cross?

 

1. Luke 23:34 “...Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do...”

Not only did Jesus purchase salvation for His people on the cross, He also gave us a perfect example of how to suffer graciously for the glory of God. In the seven statements by Christ on the cross that are recorded for us in Scripture, we are given seven moulds that should shape our responses to grief, tragedy, pain and injustice.

 

The first words that were heard from our Saviour’s mouth, as He suffered at the hands of ignorant, cruel and deceitful men, are words of kindness and mercy. And so, the first lesson we learn from our suffering Lord is this: forgive and pray for those who have wronged you.

 

This is often not our first inclination. We wish to strike back, speak out, or count all the wrongs that we have suffered. Yet here is the only truly innocent person that ever lived and, while He was dying at the unjust and cruel hands of His enemies, He was speaking words of genuine pity and pardon.

 

It is evident that the New Testament Christians took this example to heart, for they emulated Him time and again. As Stephen was being stoned to death for preaching the gospel, his prayer was “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). As Paul faced the wicked Roman ruler Nero, even some of his closet companions forsook him; yet his response was “I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge” (2 Timothy 4:16).

 

Has someone harmed you? Have you been the victim of unfair treatment? How have you responded? Have you forgiven them? Have you prayed for them? If Jesus could forgive on the cross, certainly we can forgive because of the cross. (Ephesians 4:32 / Colossians 3:13).

 

2. Luke 23:43 “..., verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise”

The second lesson we learn as we look to Jesus on the cross is this: think of others in the midst of your own suffering. Here, in the darkest hour in human history, we find the one who was suffering was thinking of others. On the cross, Jesus was not only bearing the wounds from scourging beating, slapping, and crucifixion, He was bearing all the sins of all His people and the wrath of God for them. There are no words to describe or parallel experiences to illustrate the misery this must have been. It was literally hell on earth.

 

How unexpected then, to see one of the thieves crucified next to Him turned to Him and asked for a place in His kingdom. But as striking as that scene doubtless was, it must have been even more shocking to see the one who was suffering so much turned to the thief and spoke to him words of comfort.

 

If Jesus can think of others at a time like this, surely we are utterly without excuse for ever being self-centred or self-absorbed in times of personal struggle or affliction. If Jesus can help and encourage and comfort while hanging on the cross, then we can certainly minister to others during our own pain or grief or loss.

 

Are you struggling under the weight of some great difficulty or sorrow? Then look to Jesus on the cross; not only does He have words of comfort for you, but His example is a model for you. May looking to Jesus take your eyes off yourself and inspire you to reach out to those around you who are hurting and hopeless and needy. (James 1:27 / Micah 6:8)

 

3. John 19:26,27 “... Woman, behold thy son! ..., Behold thy mother!”

We are commanded to “look to Jesus” on the cross in order to know how to handle suffering (Hebrews 12:2). The third lesson we learn from the seven sayings of Christ on the cross is this: Make practical preparations, in the midst of your sorrow.

 

When we face overwhelming grief, unrelenting discouragement, or pounding pain, it is often hard to know what to do. We tend to want to roll up in a ball and hope that the storm will pass or that some easy solution will present itself. However, the right response, even in times of great suffering, is to make practical preparations in the midst of your sorrow. You must still get out of bed, or go to work, or do the laundry or pay the bills, or play with the children, or write up your will, no matter how low you may feel, ignoring your responsibilities will not help any problem go away.

 

Here was Jesus, in the darkest moment of human history, bearing the brunt of man’s and God’s wrath. No one has ever been in as low a state as Jesus was at this time. And yet, He was making simple, mundane preparations for after his death. He was making sure that His mother would be cared for.

 

Elizabeth Elliot calls this fundamental need to face reality to “do the next thing” principle. When you do not know what to do next, she says, do the next thing. This excellent and practical advice comes from an old, sacred poem:

Do it immediately, do it with prayer,

Do it reliantly, casting all care.

Do it with reverence, tracing His hand

Who placed it before thee with earnest command.

Stayed on omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,

Leave all results, do the next thing.

 

 

4. Matthew 27:46 “.... My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

The fourth lesson we learn from Christ on the cross is this: Believer, God will never forsake you. You may be thinking, “How does Jesus teach us that, when He Himself was being forsaken by God in His darkest hour?”

 

In every prayer of Jesus that is recorded in scripture, he addressed God as His Father, except one. Here at the cross, as he was punished for our sins, he cried out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Jesus called God His Father with one exception, so that we could call God our Father without any exceptions! You see, Jesus was forsaken by his Father on the cross (only once here) so that you and I would never be forsaken. He became sin for us, and so we now have free access to the Father by Him. No sin, no person, no obstacle can keep us now from the love and forgiveness and blessing of our Father.

 

It is because of His own sure work on the cross that Jesus gives us such sure promises of His continued presence and grace with us. “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:206) “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:56)

To be continued...

 

By Dn Yue Kay (Sovereign Hope B-P Church, Singapore)

(reproduced with permission from Sovereign Hope BPC Weekly Bulletin on 2 April 2023)

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