The Last Sayings Of Jesus Christ
Seven Words On The Cross
When I first started evaluating the last sayings of Jesus, his last seven words on the cross; I stumbled across something that means a lot to me.
We often look at Jesus as a sinless man who lived 2,000 years ago, but very few of us really get to know him and understand his personality.
Jesus was constantly tested in many different areas during his lifetime, but during his death when he was under the greatest pressure, He showed the true qualities of a man. Although Jesus was the Son of God, and a true hero to all of us,
I am going to focus on his human qualities that define what makes a man: composure, faith, self control, compassion and much more during his last hours.
The Last Sayings Of Jesus Christ (1)
Jesus Shows Love
In John 19:26, we read that Jesus saw his mother and a disciple that he loved while hanging on the cross. During this time Jesus was under an almost unbearable amount of pain, but his pain was not his first concern.
He said to his mother, "Dear woman here is your son." Then to the disciple he loved, " Here is your mother." When Jesus said, "Here is your son,"
I believe he was telling her not to worry but be proud of him. Mary gave birth to Jesus because she found favor in God's eyes, whom will always be with her. I believe he was telling her not see his death as a loss, but as something that needed to be fulfilled for mankind.
When he told the disciple he loved, "Here is your mother," he was telling him to take care of her in his absence. After his death, the disciple took her into his home.
During this time on the cross, his focus NEVER turned to himself.
The Last Sayings Of Jesus Christ (2)
Jesus Shows Forgiveness
Jesus was in an unbearable amount of pain, with a crown of thorns on his head, nails driven through his hands and feet, and torn flesh on his back from flocking. In Luke 23:34, Jesus spoke to his father about the people tormenting him below.
"Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing."
Jesus taught many of his followers to forgive their enemies. The last sayings of Jesus Christ show us that he led through example under pressure that would make most of us crack. Because Jesus called himself a king, and obviously did not fit the description of one compared to the rulers of the time, many people thought he was a liar and deserved the punishment he was receiving.
Almost everyday I make choices in my life I regret, but I know every time I come to God sincerely for forgiveness, He will forgive me. He does this because I acknowledge that I'm a sinner, and I recognize how I destroyed his image.
When Jesus asked God to forgive them, he was basically asking God to open "the forgiveness door," so that when they realize what they've done, the door will be open for forgiveness.
This is a quality every man should develop on their road to maturity.
The Last Sayings Of Jesus Christ (3)
Jesus Shows Mercy
Jesus was hung next to two criminals, both guilty and deserving of their punishment.
The first criminal told Jesus to save them all.
The second criminal asked Jesus to remember him when he entered into his kingdom.
Jesus knew the second criminal believed in him and showed him mercy for his sins, forgiving him for everything. I tell you the truth,
"Today, you will be with me in paradise,"
Jesus told him (Luke23:43.) The reason Jesus died on the cross was to take the punishment for our sins so that we can spend eternity with God, and the criminal was no longer a criminal before God. He was pure and cleansed from all of his sins. A great quality a man can possess is mercy, which runs parallel with forgiveness.
He was the complete expression of both, and many more qualities as we begin to understand his personality. Remember, God shows mercy to those who receive the gift of salvation.
The Last Sayings Of Jesus Christ (4)
Jesus Shows Unselfishness
A man who is selfish is a man who walks through life putting his own needs before everyone else's. It is so extremely common to hear the words "Jesus died on the cross for our sins." Allow me to reword that statement to help you understand it a little better.
"Jesus sacrificed himself suffering one of the most painful deaths in recorded history, to forgive even those who will never know of him of every sin they've ever committed, so that we can choose to receive eternal life instead of eternal damnation."
Please understand Jesus did not have to die for us, but he loves us THAT MUCH! In Matthew 27:46, we read that Jesus cried out saying,
" My God, My God why have you forsaken me?"
At this point , this was when Jesus was bearing the sin of mankind. From my careful examination of this event, I can not find a trace of selfishness in this man. Many people will tell a lie so much that they begin to believe it, but no man will die for a lie.
He WAS the Son of God and he DID put us before Himself.
The Last Sayings Of Jesus Christ (5)
Jesus Shows Us He Is Human
Jesus is the Son of God, but during his time on earth, he was also human. Because we are human just like he was 2,000 years ago, we understand what temptation is, and how hard it is to fight it away.
Jesus felt the same temptations as a man in flesh, and resisted every single one that crossed his path.
Jesus felt every pain a human feels, including hunger, thirst, emotions, and physical pain.
In John 19:28, one of the last sayings of Jesus were "I am thirsty."
Because this is such a great demonstration of his human needs, it shows us that it really is possible to resist temptation throughout the rest of our time on earth just like Jesus Christ did, and never use the excuse "I'm human" again. Jesus did it and you can too if you put your mind to it!
There will be times in your life when serving your will before God's will seem like the only choice you have but resisting that temptation will make your faith shine even brighter before God and those around you (and they will take you more seriously too.)
The Last Sayings Of Jesus Christ (6)
Jesus Shows Us Trust
Jesus told the second criminal on the cross that he would be in paradise the very same day. As a matter of fact, he PROMISED it.
What does that say about the trust established between Jesus and God that he would promise something that life changing?
It must have been a very solid, unbreakable trust. So in Luke 23:46, when Jesus said,
"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,"
...how was he sure he would go to heaven?
Because he trusted God's word ,and trusted God would not lie to him. Over-trusting someone can be a very dangerous quality, but that is not something we will ever have to worry about with God, because He is not capable of lying.
The Last Sayings Of Jesus Christ (7)
Jesus Shows Accomplishment Through Hard Work
I can remember applying for a job at a department store, and on the application I wrote down that I was a hard worker. I like to consider myself to be a hard worker, but at that time in my life I did "just enough to get by."
Why did I lie to my employer about my work habits?
I felt that it was easier to tell them I was a hard worker than to actually be one.
When I got the job, my employer could tell I was not the hard worker I claimed to be.
Just before Jesus' last breath, He said the words
"It is finished."
Jesus was not a hypocrite. He did not say something and do another. He led by example, and did not need to deceive people about resisting temptation and leading a sinless life. He demonstrated it in every single aspect of his life, without hitting a single pot hole.
Jesus testified to the truth and his father was very pleased with him.
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