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?

 

5. John 19:28 ~ “….., I thirst.”

We come to the fifth of Christ’s seven statements from the cross, and the lesson we now learn from him, even in the midst of unspeakable sufferings, is this: Submit yourself to the Word of God.

 

Perhaps the human who suffered the most in the Bible besides (and of course not even approaching) Jesus, was the man Job. Yet Job, after losing his wealth, family, and health, testified “My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:11-12)

 

This, clearly, was supremely and perfectly the concern of Jesus, even as He prayed in the garden “Not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42). Again, the gospel of John records this rhetorical question which Jesus framed for his disciples, “The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?” (John 18:11)

 

Is that your spirit? Are you willing to take the cup of God’s Word and drink it completely? Do you trust God’s will enough to utterly surrender yourself to it, or do you pass His commands through a mental cupbearer, testing its contents by the standard of your own reason or understanding?

 

Jesus, even on the cross, was concerned that the scripture be fulfilled, perfectly and consciously in His life. Is that the great concern of your heart?

 

6. John 19:30 ~ “….., It is finished: …..”

Here is lesson number six from Jesus on the cross: the most important thing in your life is God’s will for your life. You are not finished until you can say, like Jesus, “It is finished.”

 

Jesus “gave up the ghost” or died, accordingly to His own time and pleasure. Unlike us, Jesus’ life was in His own hands. Yet He refused to depart this world until He had accomplished the purpose for which God has sent Him. He endured the cross and cruel mocking until His business here was finished. The work of redemption was indeed complete, when Jesus said “It is finished.” Nothing needed to be added to it; nothing could ever be found lacking. He paid the price and got what He paid for. The Redeemer actually redeemed.

 

The apostle Paul wanted to die. He even said, “to die is gain”. But in the end, he concluded that “to abide in the flesh (keep on living) is more needful” (Philippians 1:24) Why? Because God was not through with him yet. Paul knew that as long as God had him here at all, then he was here for a purpose.

 

The perspective changes are in Paul’s last letter, as he faced his approaching martyrdom under Nero. Paul confesses, “I am ready to be offered” (2 Timothy 4:6) Why? Because, Paul says, “I have finished my course” (2 Timothy 4:7). Not until he had finished all that God had for him, was he ready to die.

 

Whether young or old, rich or poor, happy or sad, the most important thing in your life is God’s will for your life. You are not finished until you can say, like Jesus, “It is finished.”

 

7. Luke 23:46 ~ “….., Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit …..”

The seventh and last lesson that we learn from Jesus on the cross is this: commend yourself to the loving hands of your Father. We can apply this lesson to ourselves in at least two ways.

 

First, right here and now we can recognize and trust that, for His own good purposes, He is either bringing or allowing every event into our lives, “for of him, and through him, and to him, are all things” (Roman 11:36). Therefore, we can glory even in tribulation, knowing that tribulation works patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, so that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us (Roman 5:3-5).

 

Second, we can commend ourselves to our loving Father’s hands for the future, to carry us from this world to the next. There is no door in our lives so mysterious, troubling, or sorrowful as the door of Death. And yet, as believers, we can rest in our Father’s certain and unwavering promise that death is, as it was for His Son Jesus, but the door that leads us to His lap.

 

Do you have worries, fears, sorrows, pains, or discouragements? Commend yourself to the loving hands of your Father and know that He will never let you go. (Deuteronomy 33:27a / 1 Peter 5:7 / John 10:28-29)

 

Conclusion

These last seven statements of Jesus on the cross give us rich insights into Jesus’ heart, mission, experience, and love for us. Each phrase teaches us about His ability to empathize with our humanity. They demonstrate His unwavering commitment to His Father’s will and His complete fulfilment of the prophecies found in the scriptures. As we prepare our heart to remember this Good Friday & Resurrected Sunday, take time to meditate on these seven statements of Jesus on the cross and let their messages deepen our love for the amazing God we serve.

 

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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