SEVEN WORDS FROM THE CROSS: PART II

What Jesus' Words From the Cross Mean to Us Today

Jesus’ seven statements from the cross give us a glimpse into his amazing heart. Jesus hung on the cross for six hours, from 9 am to 3 pm.  He spoke three times in the first three hours. Then at noon, darkness suddenly covered the land and Jesus entered into a painful silence. In the final few minutes before his death, Jesus broke the silence, speaking four more times in rapid succession.

The Seven Words from the Cross

 

If you haven’t read my blog on the first three statements — you might want to read it first. You can read it HERE.

Now, I offer some thoughts on the final four words.

 

Jesus’ Final Four Statements

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34).

This is the most controversial statement. It’s impossible to know exactly what was going through Jesus’ mind when he said this. The traditional interpretation is that this was the moment the world’s sin was placed on Jesus’ shoulders and, at that moment, God turned his back on Jesus.

I offer another interpretation. Jesus was quoting Psalm 22. Every good Jew had this psalm memorized.

It can’t be a coincidence that the psalm opens with the exact same words — “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1).

The psalm then goes on to describe everything Jesus was experiencing on the cross.

“All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads” (Psalm 22:7).

That’s exactly what the people watching the crucifixion were doing (Matt. 27:39-44).

 

“‘He trusts in the LORD,’ they say, ‘let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him'” (Psalm 22:8).

That’s exactly what the religious leaders were saying (Matt. 27:43).

 

“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint” (Psalm 22:14).

Crucifixion eventually pulls the shoulder joints apart under the weight of the body.

 

My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth” (Psalm 22:15).

This is exactly what Jesus was feeling — his next statement is, “I thirst.”

 

“Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet” (Psalm 22:16).

They nailed Jesus to the cross at his hands and feet.

 

“All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me” (Psalm 22:17).

Jesus was naked on the cross. A fact most modern-day artistic depictions modestly gloss over. The people staring at his nakedness was a fate worse than death for most first-century Jews.

 

“They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment” (Psalm 22:18).

This is exactly what they did as Jesus hung on the cross (Mark 15:24).

 

Psalm 22 is a chilling description of the crucifixion written hundreds of years before it happened. The psalm must have been on Jesus’ mind as it was being fulfilled.

But, the psalm takes a positive turn half-way through. Ultimately, it is a song that affirms the ever-present help of God.

The Psalm declares (of God) —

“For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help” (Psalm 22:24).

Oddly, when Jesus cried — “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” — it’s possible that he was actually testifying to the faithfulness of God. He was pointing to Psalm 22 and expressing his faith that God would never leave him — no matter how alone he might have been feeling at the moment.

Reflection: How can you express your confidence in God’s ever-present help, even when you are feeling depressed and alone?

 

5. “I am thirsty” (John 19:28).

It’s sometimes easy to forget that Jesus was human. Here we are reminded that the cross was taking a toll on his body. He was dehydrating. His was a deep pain that went to the bones.

The loss of tissue fluids had reached a critical level. Victims of crucifixion basically die from suffocation. At some point, the compressed heart struggles to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the body tissue; the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. The markedly dehydrated tissues send their flood of stimuli to the brain. Jesus was thirsty because he was dying.

Reflection: How do you view the sin in your life when you know that Jesus suffered horribly to pay for it?

 

6. “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Jesus used all his remaining strength to scream the military victory cry. When the enemy was completely vanquished the supreme commander would scream, “It is finished.” These were words every soldier longed to hear. No more fighting. No more crying. No more dying. The battle was over. The victory was won.

Jesus knew that he had accomplished everything the Father sent him to do. He knew that sin was defeated. He knew that Satan was undone.

It was at this moment that the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies (the presence of God) from the rest of the temple was torn in two. Only the High Priest could ever enter the Holy of Holies — and even then, only once a year.

The curtain was torn from top to bottom. The temple ceiling was 60 feet high. Only God could have reached that height to rip the curtain away.

This is the victory — our sins are forgiven — we now have complete access to God.

Reflection: Jesus died on the cross to give you free access to God. What are you doing with that free access?

 

7. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

Jesus told his disciples that he had come from the Father and that he was returning to the Father (John 16:28). Jesus was crystal clear about why he came to earth. Once that mission was accomplished, he was crystal clear about where he was going next.

He belonged to his heavenly Father and nothing, not even death, could ever change that.

Reflection: Do you know for certain what will happen to you after you die? Jesus wants you to know. Consider giving your life to him.