The Power Of Words ( 2)

By Stephen Wolemonwu

‘ Understanding The Seven Words Of Jesus On The Cross’

5th Word Was A Human Expression

This is a human expression. Beyond this; Jesus was also thirsty for love, from His father and thirst for the salvation of the human race. See Ps. 62: 21 and Matt. 5: 6. There is no thirst God cannot quench. Blessed are they, which hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. This also should provoke our hunger for God. How thirsty are we for God, His works, His church? Jesus is thirsty for our wellbeing.

When Jesus Christ said: “I thirst.”

• He was longing for our salvation.

• He was desirous of our deliverance.

• Jesus is interested in your salvation.

• He is not willing that you perish rather that you repent and be converted.

Upon the cross, Jesus was thirsty for your salvation today – He is thirsty of your steadfastness, dedication and fellowship. In the church, there are things He is looking out that we do.

• How do we respond to the master’s thirst?

• Do we give Him sweetness or bitterness?

• Do we quench His thirst or do we increase it?

• Do we help Him or hurt Him?

Prayer: Lord! Help Me To Know The Area Of Need In You, Grant Me Power To Satisfy It.

6th Word Was Divine In Nature, Prophetical And A Victorious Cry

This was a cry for victory. The cry was in the past perfect tense, in the past tense and futuristic tense. It gives us revelation that the mission of Jesus Christ was not stopped half- way. It was an assignment begun and accomplished.

It further gives us assurance that through Christ’s grace whatever we begin we can finish. God is not the God of abandoned projects. It also reveals that our struggle through sacrifices of ram and bull for forgiveness has come to an end – ( Heb. 1: 1- 3, Rom. 10: 4).

When Jesus shouted: "It is finished’ it reveals," Jn. 4: 34. Secondly: Jn. 17: 4 – He glorified the father; no wonder the father could say: This is my well beloved son in whom I am well pleased ( Matt. 3: 17).

By this cry – He totally redeemed us from every curse placed upon us – Gal. 3: 3.

Col. 2: 14- 15. There is, therefore, no more judgment for you, every condemnation passed against you is secretly destroyed. “It is accomplished,” ( Jn. 19: 30).

Everything that has a beginning has an end. Jesus began in the womb of Mary and ended it upon the cross. You began as a baby; one day you will end either as an old man or a young man. The end is important. How will you end?

Jesus begun and finished. The sixth word shows that the task of our redemption is finished. When he said it is finished, he was also saying it is over.

That sickness is over!

That sin is over!

That sorrow is over!

That sadness is over!

Only bring it to the feet of Him that has the ability to accomplish all things . Whatever you are doing, whatever you need or want to finish and finish well; only Jesus who has the experience of accomplishing things can teach you how to finish it. His word is a lamp and a light to guide and teach you. Prayer: Lord! Every Task You Have Committed To My Charge, Help Me To Finish Well.

7th Word was to the father

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

These words, which of course, was Jesus final words on the cross suggest:

• Total surrender.

• Not His will ever, but the father’s will.

He knew like the great Apostle that God is able to keep whatever is committed to His care, 2 Timothy 1: 12.

Who Do You Commit Your Issues To?

The Rector, Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu

At this stage, Jesus was entering the most dangerous part of the price paying – journey to Hades. Therefore, He could not do it on His own, hence, the serpent has bruised his heel and He was entering into hell to bruise its' head and take the key of the kingdom, so, as to hand it over to man, and reclaim all authority in heaven and on earth.

Who else could help this mission to be accomplished if not the Father!

What is that difficult task and mission? Have you committed it to the Lord?

Sometimes people could think you are foolish, but the things of the Spirit is to the perishing foolishness. Let me show you these;

• For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God, 1 Corinth. 1: 18.

• God made foolish the wisdom of this world – 1 Corinth. 1: 20.

• The foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men – 1 Corinth. 1: 25.

Jesus knew this, therefore, He committed His spirit to God. Do you do the same?

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” Luke 23: 46. Paul said, "I am persuaded that He whom I have committed this into His hand is able to keep it against that day."

Who you make your keeper determines your safety. Life is full of options humanly and spiritually; we have several options. You have right to choose to hand your spirit to the father or to something else.

Jesus knew that the work is done and the next face is even more tasking. He got the father more involved. Who is in charge? Who have you handed your marriage, business and future to? If only you will learn to hand it over to the father who is able to keep it; things will surely work well. In everything you wish to accomplish in life, hand it over to the father.

Prayer: Father help me to depend and trust in you and you alone.

Who Crucified Jesus

Those who sang hosanna where the same people who shouted crucify him. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Holy week. It is also known as: Branch Sunday, Hosanna Sunday or Passion Sunday. It commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem as Saviour and King.

The record of the event appeared in all of the four gospels, it is a moveable feast that takes place the Sunday before Easter. This important Christian service could be dated as far back as the late 4th century in Jerusalem.

The service/ ceremony is an act of worship, witness and devotion.

Jesus journey into Jerusalem was to fulfill the father’s will. Every believer during this period must learn from this great act and example. The emphasis of the liturgy turns to the days that lie ahead in the Holy week.

We must ask ourselves this: ‘ We who hail Jesus as King, are we going to join the crowd in the coming days even as the days unfold to shout ‘ crucify Him’ or be among those that will betray or deny Him.

The day of the Palm Sunday is all about the song: Hosanna in the highest ( x2); The Angels are singing! Hosanna in the highest.

Most Miserable ( 1 Corinth. 15: 19)

Hallelujah Christ is risen… He is risen, indeed, Hallelujah! The message of Easter is the message of hope, love, restoration, healing, salvation, faith, Joy, gladness and reconciliation. It is the message of healing to the ill and wounded. Today, no matter what you are experiencing, rejoice for Christ has done it all for you ( Gal. 3: 13, Col. 2: 14- 15).

Easter took away the judgment past upon mankind. Therefore, by His resurrection, I reverse every judgment passed upon you in Jesus' name. God’s word in 1Corinth. 15: 19 has two main words ‘ miserable’ and ‘ most.’

What is ‘ most’? It depicts greatness in amount, quantity or degree.

What is ‘ miserable’? It is defined as wretchedly, unhappy and uncomfortable. Pitiably small or inadequate.

The Greek word translated ‘ miserable’ means pitiable. The Igbo translation is – ‘ Onyekwesirikaemereebere’ meaning one who deserve to be pitied.

The words reveals:

• If all that you need from Christ is only earthly and material – you are most miserable.

• If Christ did not rise, then we are the worst and most miserable to be pitied.

• If all our Christian race, sacrifice ends here on earth, we are the most miserable.

• If all Christ means to you is supply of earthly needs – you are most miserable.

Background:

Corinth was an important and wealthy city on the Isthmus ( narrow strip of land) separating the northern and southern Greece. Here Paul spent 18th months during his 2nd missionary journey. It was from here that he left to visit Ephesus, Jerusalem, Antioch and Galatia ( see Acts 18: 23). He wrote the book to warn the church against sexual sin ( 1Cor. 5: 9).

Through this lesson, we should know this;

• Eternity is real – Heb. 9: 27, Lk. 16: 19- 31.

• Are you prepared for eternity? Rev. 21: 8, Rev. 20: 12- 13.

• What will prevent you blissful eternity? – Rev. 21: 8.

• Do you know the cost of following Christ? – Matt. 10: 11, 25; 10: 38, 16: 24, 8: 22, 19: 21.

• Are you saved?

Today, if you will hear His word; do not harden your heart. A Warm Reception For The King ( Zech 9: 9; Matt. 21: 1- 13) Everyone tries to impress their important visitor. Sometime may go to the extent of borrowing. ( Luke 11: 5- 6). This lesson portrays the extent many go in receiving a very important visitor.

What is Reception?

The action or process of receiving somebody or something sent, given or inflicted.

A formal social occasion held to welcome someone or to celebrate an event.

There are certain factors that influences our reception.

• Value placed on what you are receiving.

• The method it was sent.

• Advent of the reception.

• Understanding of the parcel to be received.

Here

What to be received is known, Zech. 9: 9- 12.

• He is your king.

• He is dignified.

• He has power.

• He has dominion.

• He speaks peace.

• He is limitless – He can move from one end of the earth to another end of the earth ( Zech. 9: 10).

What Do You Have? Matt. 21: 2- 3.

It is one thing to have something, it is another thing to make it valuable. Vs 2- 3.

• Have you made your provision and possession available for the master? Above all, do you even know that you belong to God? 1Corinth. 6: 15,19.

• Are you glorifying God in your body? ( Matt. 21: 6- 9)

• There were the going disciples.

• There was the donkey ( ass) and the colt ( baby).

• There was the owner of the animals.

• There were those that had garment.

• There were those that had no garment, but discovered the branch around them. Provided by nature, they did some work ‘ cut the branches.’ If you don’t have a garment like the rich man, you can use your handiwork or what nature has provided around you to do good stewardship for the king?