From The Rector The Power Of Words ( 1)
Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha- Otor Delta State. www. ibrucentre. org
‘ Understanding The Seven Words Of Jesus On The Cross’
WORDS are powerful. They mean a lot. Words express the state of the mind. Words portray ‘ the real and whole man.’ During the last hours of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord, His last words are significant and full of meanings. The last seven words of Jesus before His final death made between His crucifixion and death reveals His humanity as well as His divinity. Careful and prayerful meditation on these words would bring health, hope and holiness to the Christian pilgrim.
The service of the seven words of Jesus Christ on the cross is planned to last for three hours between the hours of 12noon to 3pm or 3pm to 6pm as convenient with the faithful. Jesus said these seven words between the time of crucifixion and death. These seven words are commemorated on every ‘ Good Friday’ – the last Friday before Easter Sunday; and shows the importance of fighting the good fight.
The Good Fight ( Genesis 22: 1- 18)
Obedience breeds success and satisfaction. Following God to do His will no matter the cost is demanding, tasking and sometimes stressful. Total and absolute obedience to God’s command is ‘ very’ possible.
There are certain factors that can assist every child of God to experience victory:
• Proper understanding of the instruction from God – ( Gen. 22: 2). God’s word is always specific and direct.
• Totally sold out to do God’s will – ( Rom. 12: 1- 2, Gen. 22: 3- 13 ( cf – 12: 1- 4)
• Divine assistance through waiting on God. ( Psalm 40: 1- 4, Jn. 18: 1, Matt. 26: 36- 38). Following the Lord comes with various attacks and struggles – ( Lk. 10: 10; 2Tim. 4: 5- 7,10,14- 16).
• There are both internal and external fight to stop every child of God from doing God’s will.
• We are like sheep in amid wolves ( Luke 10: 3).
• Not every good thing you do will attract acceptance or applause. ( 2 Tim. 4: 18), sometimes you may be total forsaken by others– ( 2Tim. 4: 11).
• To Jesus – He heard enemies among – the people, religious leaders, His disciples and His family ( John 7: 5, 2Tim. 4: 10- 11). Therefore, set your eyes on the goal: ( Heb. 12: 1, 1Corinth. 9: 24- 25, Phillip 3: 13- 14). The grace to finish well is available
The Seven Words Of Jesus On The Cross
1st – “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do,” ( Luke 23: 34).
2nd – “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise,” ( Luke 23: 43).
3rd – “Woman, behold your son, and son behold your mother,”
( John 19: 26- 27).
4th – “Eli! Eli!! Lama sabachthani” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ( Matt. 27: 46, Mark 15: 34; Psalm 22: 1).
5th – I thirst – ( Jn. 19: 28).
6th – It is finished, ( Jn. 19: 29- 30).
7th – Father, into your hands I commend my spirit, ( Luke 23: 46).
The First Word Was To The Father
“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do” ( Luke 23: 34).
Amid pains and suffering, Jesus still had the power to pray for His offenders. Rather than focusing on Himself, He was rather focusing on the salvation and forgiveness of others – it reveals an unconditional love for humanity.
The first word reveals the purpose of the cross – Forgiveness! God’s mercy transcends deep even when we know what is wrong and we do it, God in His mercy will still forgive and receive us through repentance. This is reflected in 1Jn. 1: 9.
God does not only forgive us, but removes our sins far from us as the east is to the west. ( Ps. 103: 13). Lord, teach us to accept your forgiveness. In the midst of pain, hurt, harm, suffering, affliction and injustice, our Lord still had the courage to pray for His offenders to be forgiven. Show care, concern and love to those who wronged Him. Rather than focusing on how to be free or on Himself, He was focusing on the survival of others — What an unconditional love!
• Prayer: Lord teach us to accept your forgiveness; and also to forgive those who offends us.
The Second Word Was To The Criminal On The Cross
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise,” ( Luke 23: 39- 43( 43).
Like the first, the second speaks of forgiveness, this time to a sinner. It shows His divinity and ability to open heaven to a repentant sinner, such that is only given to one who asked to be remembered. No amount of sin is beyond forgiving. In this second word, Jesus was sure of these things:
• The request of the criminal was genuine
• The criminal has been granted access to paradise through the finished work at Calvary.
• He has the power to will paradise to whosoever he wishes. The second word reveals that our journey does not end here on earth. There is a place after death. It is either Paradise or Hell. The soul of man in eternal.
The word translated ‘ paradise’ mean ‘ garden’ referring to Garden of Eden in O. T; at the time of Jesus, it was associated with heaven, a place prepared by God. A place the righteous will inherit at death. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus; it was referred to as ‘ Abraham’s bosom’
The criminal was a sinner all through his life, but just a minute to death, his expression of faith in Jesus Christ not in his personal word gave him mercy and forgiveness; which subsequently, opened the gate of paradise to him. The second word also shows Christ’s divinity and ability to open heaven to ‘ any’ repentant sinner who comes to Him for mercy.
• Prayer: Lord help me to know that i am a sinner that need a savior.
The Third Word Was To Mary And John ( John 19: 26- 27)
‘ Woman, behold your son, and son behold your mother.’
The love of a son to the mother and the mother to the son knows no bound. Jesus even in death had concern for His mother, the disciple he loved was given the duty to care for the mother, hence; all His brothers were no place near the cross. The third word teaches us not to withdraw from our duties due to any form of challenge. Amid challenges and temptation, we as Christian must not abandon the duties we owe our family. Mary’s heart was, indeed, pearled ( Luke 2: 35). Jesus still knew His responsibility towards the mother. Do you know your duty towards your parents and family?
Jesus referred to Mary as woman ( Jn. 2: 1- 11), recalling the woman in ( Gen. 3: 15), anticipating the woman clothed with the sun in ( Rev. 12). There were four at the foot of the cross – Mary, His mother; John, the beloved; Mary of Cleopas ( the sister to His mother); and Mary Magdalene.
• Prayer: Father help me to be responsible and alive to my family duties.
The Fourth Word Was To His God
“Eli! Eli!! Lama sabachthani” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” ( Matt. 27: 46. See ( Mk. 15: 34, Ps. 22: 1) Loneliness is painful and can kill. The worst experience in life is being forsaken; especially when you need help most. In life, experiences may present itself as if God has abandoned you. But know this, God will never forsake you. Whatever God allows in the midst of our prayers is for our greater good.
Darkness engulfed the world for three hours — Jesus felt ‘ forsaken’ by heaven; indeed, heaven kept silent, while Jesus was suffering for man’s salvation and freedom. God could save Him, but He did not for man’s ultimate freedom.
• Prayer: Father! Forsake me not in my hour of darkness.