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A Heart For God Ministries

7 Last Sayings of Jesus from the Cross

eBook Study Guide

by Pastor Mike
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Contents
Bible Study Instructions and Schedule (7 weeks)..............................................................4 Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)................6 Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43)...................... 10 Woman, behold, your son! / Behold your mother! (John 19:26-27)................................14 My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)........... 18 I am thirsty. (John 19:28)................................................................................................. 22 It is finished. (John 19:30)............................................................................................... 26 Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit. (Luke 23:46)............................................... 29 Direct Video Links........................................................................................................... 32

Read my blog: www.aheartforgod.org Follow my tweets: @aheartforgod

Cover picture in the public domain: click here. {{PD-US}} published in the US before 1923 and public domain in the US.

Instructions
Chat takes place on Facebook for 1 hour every Sunday at 4 pm Pacific USA. Web address for chat -> http://www.tinyurl.com/HeartChat-Facebook If you are unable to attend at the chat time, feel free to check out and interact with the chat (via your comments and "likes") when it's convenient. I will check in throughout the week to make sure and respond to you. I have put together an eBook study guide to be the main focus of our discussion. This study guide includes links to 7 video teachings Ive produced (each is between 6 and 7 minutes long or so). The study guide also includes the entire and exact script of each of the videos. So you can view the videos and read the teachings and not miss a thing. (I strongly recommend you view the videos of the teachings if at all possible as I have crafted the slides to communicate visually certain aspects especially as it has to do with the timeline of the last sayings themselves and surrounding events, etc.) I am also encouraging reading the various Gospel accounts of the crucifixion sequences corresponding to the particular last saying were studying. And so if the saying is found in the Gospel of Luke, lets just say, then the reading will be the crucifixion sequence in the Gospel of Luke. Thus, the duplicate, etc., readings. (It is important to do the reading each week even if its a duplicate/triplicate.) And so watch the video/read the teaching and Bible passage for the week to prepare for chat.

Schedule (7 weeks)
JUNE
DAY SAYING OF JESUS READING June 23 Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:1-56) June 30 CANCELLED (Pastor Mike sick) ---------

JULY
DAY SAYING OF JESUS READING (Luke 23:1-56) (John 19:1-42) (Matt 27:1-66) (Mark 15:1-47) (John 19:1-42) July 7 Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. July 14 Woman, behold, your son! / Behold your mother! July 21 My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken Me? July 28 I am thirsty.

AUGUST
DAY SAYING OF JESUS READING (John 19:1-42) (Luke 23:1-56) Aug 4 It is finished. Aug 11 Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit.

Seven Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 1

(To watch this video, click here.)

I want to talk about Christs seven last sayings from the cross in a multiple-part video series. And Id like to just point out a few things to begin with in Part 1. Of course, here are the last sayings themselves: 1. Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
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2. Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43) 3. Woman, behold, your son! and Behold your mother! (John 19:26-27) 4. My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) 5. I am thirsty. (John 19:28) 6. It is finished. (John 19:30) 7. Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit. (Luke 23:46) And then its interesting to note regarding these words in which Gospels theyre found. #1, 2 and 7 are found in Luke. #3, 5 and 6 are found in John. Johns Gospel was written much later than the others. Its the complementary Gospel. John fills in the gaps. And so you see what wed be missing without John. And then now saying #4, the height of the sayings, is found in 2 Gospels, Matthew and Mark. And then there are the people from which the sayings were gained. These are the ones who heard Christ utter His last words. In John, sayings 3, 5 and 6, of course, its the disciple whom Jesus loved, the apostle John himself, who heard these as he was there. In Luke, sayings 1, 2 and 7, I dont know if you knew, but its believed that it was the Virgin Mary herself who Luke interviewed who gave him these sayings. Lukes Gospel is known as the Gospel of Women. Women have a primary role. Luke is much expanded in his version of the events surrounding Christs birth of which Mary is the primary and female! character.

And then saying #4 found in Matthew and Mark, of course, Matthew the tax collector likely heard it uttered as he was at a distance from the cross and among the disciples who forsook the Lord at that time. And then when it comes to Marks Gospel, its believed that it was Peter that heard and gave Mark saying #4. And Ill afford you some more of these types of particulars of the seven last sayings (which are just so intriguing I think) in the next part of the video series and beyond. But for now we come to the first of the sayings of our Lord to consider briefly. It is most significant. Mary informs Luke (as Ive already said) who wasnt there. Saying #1 comes after Christs scourging, after Hes nailed to the cross. Or it could have been said as the nails are being driven in His wrists and feet? It could have been then that Jesus says, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. And can Christ do anything less, my friends? I mean, He emphasized to Peter to forgive 70 x 7 times. Right? And His mission was not to condemn the world. And Hes speaking about the Roman soldiers who are crucifying Him when He utters, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing? Can you just imagine their reaction? You talk about being disarmed. Hes speaking about the Roman soldiers who are crucifying Him. Hes also speaking about the two thieves who are railing against Him and the religious leaders who are leading in the insults, too. Furthermore, Hes speaking about the entire sinful world and across the ages for which He came as mediator and intercessor between God and man for every last person including us today. Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. Do you need forgiveness? Jesus has asked for it even for you and gained it! And let me just give you three quick application questions to help the import of our Lords first saying sink in that you might live it out in your own life.
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And so here's the first question: 1. Whats the first thing that comes out of your mouth when youre treated unjustly? 2. And could it be that its Gods will that you be treated unjustly and for a higher purpose (as it was with Jesus)? 3. And then lastly, do you trust God enough to turn the other cheek when youre wronged and even when its most terrible? Its been the first of seven last sayings of our Lord from the cross that weve considered briefly here. Well take up with saying #2 in the next video.

Seven Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 2

(To watch this video, click here.)

This is now Part 2 of a series on Christs seven last sayings from the cross. In Part 1 we considered our Lords first saying: Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) In a moment, well be looking at His second saying.
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But before that I want to offer you a timeline of the crucifixion so youll have a context in which Jesus sayings are made. Heres the timeline. And keep in mind as you see it, Jesus has been up all night. Hes been beaten, punched in the face, spat upon. Hes been tried. Hes been whipped with a cat-o-nine tails. Hes had a thorn crown pressed into His skull. Hes carried a cross on His back. And after Hes been nailed to it, the cross is lifted up and dropped in a hole. This is the reality of what was done to Gods Son. The Gospel of Mark records the moment in time: And it was the third hour when they crucified Him. (Mark 15:25) The third hour is 9 am. And then were given more information about the time frame of the crucifixion in Mark 15:33. It reads: And when the sixth hour had come. Do you see that there? And so we have that its twelve noon now. And Jesus has been hanging on the cross for some three hours. And then the verse goes even further: And when the sixth hour had come, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. And so its now 3 pm in the crucifixion timeline. And just real quickly, if it becomes dark at noon as Mark 15:33 indicates, then during the three hours prior to it, its been sunshine. And so the first half of the crucifixion takes place in daylight, while the second half takes place in darkness. These things being said, Id now like to consider Christs second saying from the cross. And again, as I highlighted in the first part of this series, Luke interviews the mother of our Lord, Mary, and thats how he gains this statement for his Gospel: Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43) And Jesus is responding to the repentant thief whos hanging on a cross next to Him. And as this man has just been previously reviling and insulting our Lord, but then something happens. He makes a 180-degree turnaround. And he calls out to be saved.
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And Jesus says, Forget you! No. He doesnt say, Forget you! Isnt that something? And when God has been given every reason to reject us, He receives us instead. (Store that in your Blackberry.) And so dont give up on that one that seems beyond help/that curses you. Jesus wouldnt and so you ought not to! How do you know if they wont be your brother or sister in Christ and itll be because you didnt write them off and they saw real Christianity demonstrated in your turning the other cheek? And theres just so much more truth in: Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. And it reminds us theres consciousness after death. Existence continues. A person goes on. And then in the reference to Paradise - listen. Literally Jesus is saying, Today, you shall be by My side as I enter the compartment in Hades holding Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph, Moses and David, etc., and I will lead captivity captive and take them to heaven. (Ephesians 4:8bc). And to the repentant thief Christ says, Youre going to be a part of it. Wow. You talk about an experience. I mean, to go from hanging on a cross with no hope, condemned and facing hell to joining the Old Testament saints as they enter into glory for the first time, I mean - there just arent enough words to describe it. And just to close now, let me give you a couple of real quick applications to help the import of our Lords second saying sink in even more. And heres the first one. My friends, theres comfort just beyond the challenges of this life do you see it in Christs saying? and its available for all who look to Jesus no matter what theyve done. And you can just go on living so much better when you realize and embrace this truth of an afterlife thats worthwhile. And then lastly, its never too late to receive Christ and ask Him to save you. As long as you are breathing and have a pulse, you can be forgiven.
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Its been the second of seven last sayings of Jesus from the cross that weve considered here. Well take up with saying #3 in the next video.

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Seven Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 3

(To watch this video, click here.)

This is now Part 3 of a series on Christs seven last sayings from the cross. In Part 1 we considered our Lords first saying: Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) In Part 2 we considered His second saying: Truly I say to you, today you shall be with
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Me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43) In a moment, well be looking at His third saying. But before that, Id like to expand further on the timeline of the crucifixion I first mentioned in Part 2. The Scripture records that Jesus is crucified beginning at 9 am. He then hangs on the cross through noon and up until 3 oclock. It also makes clear that the first half of the crucifixion takes place in daylight while the second half takes place in darkness. And now to add to these facts, the first three of the seven sayings of our Lord are spoken during the first 3-hour period in the light while the last four sayings are spoken during the second 3-hour period in the dark. Furthermore, the first three sayings show up in approximately these places on the timeline as you can see here. Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing, right at the outset as Jesus is nailed to the cross. Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise, somewhere after that, but we cant know exactly other than it had to be a little bit of time after saying #1 since one of the condemned thieves goes through the process of repentance prior to it. And then saying #3: Woman, behold, your son! and Behold your mother!, comes next which well consider shortly. Now whats interesting is theres a lengthy period of quiet that begins here where nothings said which starts in the daylight portion of the crucifixion and continues all the
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way up until right before Christ gives Himself over to death, nearing 3 pm. in the darkness portion. I dont know if you knew that. My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?, I am thirsty, It is finished and Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit all come in rapid succession and as our Lord is offering His life for our sins and these four sayings are all spoken at the very end of His passion. How do we know this? Well, the Bible tells us. In Mark 15:34 it reads, And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, 'My God.' And then sayings #5, 6 and 7 follow rapidly. All these things being said, Id now like to briefly consider Christs third saying spoken from the cross: Woman, behold, your son! and Behold your mother! (John 19:2627) It is the disciple whom Jesus loved who both hears and then records in his gospel this statement. The mother of our Lord is standing close by. And can you just imagine the pain and heartache as Mary is watching her Son suffering? And a sword will pierce even your own soul, Simeon prophesied 33 years ago to her. (Luke 2:35) And could it be that these very words are filling Marys mind? And Christ cares about it is whats meant by His third saying. He cares for Mary. And Hes attending to His mothers needs here, being the eldest Son in the family and first born, and with His earthly father, Joseph, long since passed away and gone its believed by this time, Jesus looks out for Marys welfare. And He commits her to none other than the closest of His associates who was leaning on His breast not too many hours earlier at the last Supper finding out who the betrayer was, but now Jesus turns His mothers attention to this one to whom Christ says, Take care of My mom, John, while Im away. Do you see it in His words? And it speaks of how important parents and family ought to be in how much our Lord was concerned regarding His. And even when Hes hanging on a cross and dying, Hes not worrying about Himself. Instead, Christ puts other first.
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And whos really in control during this whole scene? The Romans who are crucifying Jesus? The devil? And some of us were thermometers versus thermostats. A thermometer is controlled by the temperature and goes up or down accordingly while its the other way around with a thermostat. A thermostat controls the temperature. Jesus is the example. Nothing like the small inconvenience of being crucified is going to stop Him from showing care and consideration to those He holds dear. Are you hearing me? Are you hearing Christ? Woman, behold, your son! and Behold your mother! Its been the third of seven last sayings of Jesus from the cross that weve considered here. Well take up with saying #4 in the next video.

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Seven Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 4

(To watch this video, click here.)

This is now Part 4 of a series on Christs seven last sayings from the cross. In Part 1 we considered our Lords first saying: Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) In Part 2 we considered His second saying: Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43)
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And in Part 3 we considered His third saying: Woman, behold, your son! and Behold your mother! (John 19:26-27) In a moment, well be looking at His fourth saying. But before that, Id like to afford you a little bit more information on the relationship of the sayings which I began to develop way back in the first video. There I highlighted in which Gospels the sayings are found and the people from which the sayings were gained. And now to add to these facts, its all about thoughtfulness and others, is how one author puts it, the first three sayings of our Lord. They demonstrate Jesus thoughtfulness and how He put others ahead of Himself in forgiving those crucifying Him, accepting a repentant sinner and looking out for the welfare of His mom. In contrast, the final four sayings, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?, I am thirsty, It is finished and Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit, these have Christ at the center, both in His travail and triumph. And as we are now approaching saying #4 and the intensifying of His passion, Keith Maxwell, a medical doctor in Asheville, North Carolina writes: Lets talk about Jesus hanging on the cross. When hanging by their arms, as a crucifixion victims body weight sags down, their diaphragm (that part of the body thats involved in the breathing process) the diaphragm functions as a billows. As the diaphragm drops into the abdomen it pulls in air, so someone hanging on the cross had no difficulty whatsoever pulling air into their lungs. The tough part for people hanging on the cross was breathing out. In order for a crucifixion victim to exhale, they would have to pull up against the spikes with their feet. I want to remind you heres Jesus hanging on the cross, probably naked in front of the whole city of Jerusalem. . . . Every time he took a breath, that tattered, lacerated and riddled back [due to the Roman scourging] was dragged and scraped across the splinters and the rough knobs and spikes protruding from the cross. Each time [Christ] breathed out, each time he uttered a word (what are we talking about in this video series?)each time [Jesus] uttered a word, he
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would have to pull up with his arms and push up with his legs. Thats why I want to remind you just how precious [His] words from the cross were. Thats why [Jesus] couldnt say more than three or four words at a time. Because when you talk, you only talk as you breathe out, not as you breathe in. Every word Jesus spoke on the cross was spoken as he was pulling up against the nails and dragging his back across the cross. That why (this doctor concludes) what the Lord tells us what he spoke from the cross is very precious to me, because I know what it cost him and how badly it hurt him [to say it]. With the reality of what Jesus was going through and especially as He would speak, Id now like to briefly consider Christs fourth saying spoken from the cross: My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34) Its now approaching the 6-hour mark of suffering for our Lord. And it reaches its climax here. And did you notice how Jesus addresses God? In the first saying He says, Father, but now, in the fourth saying, its just God. Did you notice? Its the mark of a change in relationship. And here our Lord who knew no sin [is made] to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) And here our Lord [gives] Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:14) And here our Lord has His Father turn His back on Him. And the second member of the Trinity the Son - is separated from the first and the third. The Triune God is literally ripped apart/severed. Is it any wonder Jesus cries out? Saying #4 is in a loud voice along with saying #7 while the other five sayings are softer.

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And this is what it took to win our salvation. And its interesting that Matthew records this fourth saying in his Gospel as Ive already noted in Part 1 of this series. And Mark records it in his. Its believed that Mark took dictation from Peter and thats how the Gospel of Mark came into being. Peter was the one who three times denied Christ. Isnt it interesting that it would have been this saying that would stick in Peters mind, the saying of abandonment? And Jesus was abandoned, left alone so that we would never be. Did you hear that? And when you feel like youve been forsaken two things to remember. #1: Christ knows what youre going through; after all Hes been there. And #2: Youre not really alone; God will never leave you nor will He ever forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5c) Jesus was abandoned so that we would never be. Its been the fourth of seven last sayings of Jesus from the cross that weve considered here. Well take up with saying #5 in the next video.

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Seven Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 5

(To watch this video, click here.)

This is now Part 5 of a series on Christs seven last sayings from the cross. Weve already considered the first four of our Lords sayings: Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise, Woman, behold, your son! and Behold your mother! and My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?
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In a moment, well be looking at His fifth saying. But before that, I want to talk about how there are a total of 7 sayings. Its not without significance. The number 7 is sacred and mystical as one author puts it. Its the number of completion, fullness, perfection. God rests on the seventh day from all His work in creation in Genesis chapter 1. The seven-fold Spirit is upon the Messiah in Isaiah chapter 11. Christ sends seven messages to seven churches in the book of Revelation. There are seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls of wrath that follow. And Jesus speaks seven times as He is hanging on the cross. The application: Everything that needed to be said during the crucifixion was said. Nothing was left out. Which just goes to emphasize all the more how important these words were studying are. Another thing I want to bring to your attention before we come to I am thirsty. W. Graham Scroggie in his A Guide To The Gospels writes: [The seven last sayings] have their roots in the Jews Bible, the Old Testament; some of them manifestly (that is, clearly), and some of them inferentially (that is, suggested or implied). And just real quickly here are the Old Testament verses that are considered roots of Christs words from the cross: For Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing, we have Isaiah 53:12: [He] interceded for the transgressors. For Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise, we have Isaiah 53:1011: He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days; as a result of the anguish of His soul. And then theres Woman, behold, your son! and Behold your mother!, which illustrates duties to parents. Exodus 20:12: Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land.

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Which brings us to saying #4: My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?, corresponds verbatim with Psalm 22:1. Saying #5, I am thirsty, corresponds with: And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21b) Saying #6, It is finished, corresponds with: They will come and will declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has performed it. (Psalm 22:31) That last part: He has performed it is He hath done this in the King James Bible which is the word tetelestai in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Tetelestai means accomplished or finished. He has performed it, done this, accomplished, finished the purchase of salvation. Christ has. And then now the last saying #7, Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit, corresponds with Psalm 31:5 which is very similar: Into Thy hand I commit my spirit. Do you see how the Scriptures were on our Lords lips? What's in your heart will come out of your mouth. Which brings us finally to a consideration of the fifth saying of Christ from the cross. John the Beloved is there and to hear Jesus say as he pushes up against the spike in His feet and pulls up against the nails in His wrists, I am thirsty. (John 19:28) And as Hes wanting to clear His throat is whats happening here for the next two momentous sayings that Hes about to make. And here Christ is who created the seas, who caused water to come forth from a rock not once, but twice in the wilderness for Israel, who is the very Rock Himself out of which the water flowed and now Hes thirsty! This is about how utterly human Jesus was. And dont you ever forget it. He was God, yes. But He was Man, too!

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And because Jesus faced anything and everything the devil and his hellish hordes could throw at Him and He did it as a Man! so we can, too. As human beings as men and as women we can overcome in like manner. It's Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord. (Zechariah 4:6) Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) Its been the fifth of seven last sayings of Jesus from the cross that weve considered here. Well take up with saying #6 in the next video.

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Seven Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 6

(To watch this video, click here.)

This is now Part 6 of a series on Christs seven last sayings from the cross. Weve already considered the first five of our Lords sayings: Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise, Woman, behold, your son! and Behold your mother!, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? and I am thirsty.
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In a moment, well be looking at His sixth saying. But before that, I want to turn your attention to Isaiah chapter 53 and the first part of v. 10. (But the Lord was pleased to crush Him.) And I wonder if sometimes we forget who was really the One behind the whole event of the crucifixion. And as were considering Isaiah 53:10, do you remember way back when God asks His friend, Abraham, to take his one and only son whom he loved, whom hed waited until he was 100 years old to have, now God wants Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to kill his own son do you remember that? And I really want you to think about it. And for those of us who are fathers, we can relate. You see, I have my own son myself. Hes fourteen years old now. And I just cant imagine for one second losing him let alone having him die or get killed. Do you know what Im talking about? Me, Lord, but not him. Let me die instead. Right? And then when you add to that that its God Himself that crushes His Son. He is Abraham with the knife. And then the Son is willing for it to happen. Not My will, but Thine be done. Love so amazing, so divine. Which brings us finally to a consideration of the sixth saying. And youll remember sayings 4, 5, 6 and 7 are coming in rapid succession, one after the other, near the sixhour mark of the crucifixion, 3 pm. And Christ has been silent for the better part of three hours plus at this point. And once more to exhale Jesus pushes up off the nail in His feet and pulls up against the nails in His wrists and says, It is finished. (John 19:30) And it started way back in the Eden. And following that awful moment our first parents ate the forbidden fruit, God makes the promise to send the Messiah to redeem them: He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel (Genesis 3:15). And then Moses later tells the Israelites to kill the Passover lamb and to spread the blood
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across the doorposts and lintel of their houses that the death angel might not bring them harm. (Exodus 12:7, 13) Are you under the blood today? And then Moses later still puts on a pole the bronze snake in the wilderness that the people bitten by serpents might look to it and be healed. (Numbers 21:8-9) And God has been working throughout history to bring mankind redemption and speaking of the Son He loves who would come and accomplish it and secure salvation. And now here Christ is dying a criminals death. Seemingly the whole of Gods plan is derailed. How could it happen this way? And yet its the very way God planned it to be done from Genesis to Exodus to Numbers and beyond. The devil strikes our Lords heel on the cross and Jesus crushes his head and works in the process. Christ, the Passover Lamb, bleeds red and is killed on the cross and His blood precious when applied to the doorposts and lintels of our hearts makes it so we never have to die. Christ the Messiah is raised on a pole (the cross) that we who are snake-bitten by sin might look to Him and be healed. And if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Myself. (John 12:32) And once more to exhale Jesus pushes up off the nail in His feet and pulls up against the nails in His wrists and says, It is finished. My friends, the plan of God is accomplished. We can be and are saved when we put are faith in Christ. And one other thing: God finishes what He starts. He who began a good work in you will see it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6) Its been the sixth of seven last sayings of Jesus from the cross that weve considered here. Well take up with the final saying #7 in the next video.

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Seven Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 7

(To watch this video, click here.)

This is now Part 7 of a series on Christs seven last sayings from the cross. Weve already considered the first six of our Lords sayings: Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise, Woman, behold, your son! and Behold your mother!, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?, I am thirsty, and It is
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finished. In a moment, well be looking at His seventh saying. But before that, the Apostle Paul writes of the condescension of Christ in the book of Philippians chapter 2: who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, [Jesus] humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8) And its beyond our comprehension, and as Paul has stated it poetically here and not necessarily in formal theology its beyond our comprehension, the Creator of all things subjecting Himself to such humiliation in His creation. One songwriter further develops it this way: The Maker of the universe, As Man, for man was made a curse, The claims of Law which He had made, Unto the uttermost He paid. His holy fingers made the bough, Which grew the thorns that crowned His brow, The nails that pierced His hand were mined, In secret places He designed. He made the forest whence there sprung, The tree on which His body hung, He died upon a cross of wood, Yet made the hill on which it stood. (Maker Of The Universe by Phil Keaggy) And now one final time Luke records Christs words having interviewed His mother, Mary, to get them (and wouldnt His mom who taught Him how to speak as a Child remember, of all things, her Sons last syllables?) and to exhale now Jesus pushes up off the nail in His feet and pulls up against the nails in His wrists one final time, and in this which is the second of two loud voices (the other is His fourth saying), Jesus says, Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit. (Luke 23:46) And in Christs first statement, He addresses the Father. Did you notice? In His fourth statement, He speaks My God as He is made to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) And then now in the seventh statement Jesus addresses His Father once again. From Father to God and back to Father. Relationship/intimacy has been restored. It was severed/cut. God the Son was torn away from His Father. But not any more.
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And God is our Abba/Father/Papa God, too. Did you need to hear it? Hes different than Allah. Christianity is not like Islam. Ours is a heavenly Dad that speaks of relationship. We were once estranged from Our Father who art in heaven, but through belief in Jesus we are no longer apart. And Jesus is entrusting His spirit into the care of God with His seventh saying. And there is no other Being better than God the Father to entrust your spirit to as youre passing from this life to the next. And this isnt death coming for Jesus here. Quite to the contrary. This is Jesus coming for death. And death is shaking in its boots realizing the God-Man who has conquered sin is now coming to deal it a final blow, too. And death is cowering and looking about desperately for somewhere to hide. O death, where is Thy victory? O death, where is Thy sting? (1 Corinthians 15:55) Its been the seventh of seven last sayings of Jesus from the cross that weve considered here. And there can only be one response to all that weve heard: When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of Glory died, (v. 1a) Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. (v. 4b)

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Direct Video Links:

Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 1: http://www.aheartforgod.org/2012/06/10/7-lastsayings-of-jesus-part-1-ebook-study-guide/ Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 2: http://www.aheartforgod.org/2012/06/10/7-lastsayings-of-jesus-part-2-ebook-study-guide/ Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 3: http://www.aheartforgod.org/2012/06/10/7-lastsayings-of-jesus-part-3-ebook-study-guide/ Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 4: http://www.aheartforgod.org/2012/06/10/7-lastsayings-of-jesus-part-4-ebook-study-guide/ Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 5: http://www.aheartforgod.org/2012/06/10/7-lastsayings-of-jesus-part-5-ebook-study-guide/ Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 6: http://www.aheartforgod.org/2012/06/10/7-lastsayings-of-jesus-part-6-ebook-study-guide/ Last Sayings of Jesus - Part 7: http://www.aheartforgod.org/2012/06/10/7-lastsayings-of-jesus-part-7-ebook-study-guide/

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