[:en]THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST:
1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus is a merciful God. People mocked Him, persecuted Him, betrayed Him, accused Him, but he still displayed his forgiving heart. That is an example we should emulate.
2. I tell you the truth, today, you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43)
The two thieves were beside Jesus on the cross. One hurled insult at Jesus while the other one knew his sins. He rebuked the other thief and asked Jesus to remember him. Jesus promised to be with him in Paradise. The thief did not attend church services. He was not baptized. He was a criminal, but at the last moment of his life, he repented and was saved. It proves that salvation is by faith alone.
3. “Dear woman, here is your son, and to the disciple, here is your mother” (John 19:26-27)
While Jesus was on the cross, His mother Mary and his beloved disciple John was standing below. At the most agonizing moment, Jesus wanted his mother to be well taken care of, so He entrusted her to John.
4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mat. 27:46; Mark 15:34)
Jesus hanged on the cross from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. It has a duration of 6 hours. He felt being forsaken by the Father because He was carrying the burden of our sins in His shoulder. Since God is holy, He never allows sin. Therefore, Jesus was being separated from the Father because of our sins. He was being forsaken by His Father in order to fulfill the promise of salvation according to His Father’s will.
5. “I am thirsty” (John 19:28)
Jesus was born with human nature. He experienced being thirsty in his body. There is a spiritual meaning of “thirst”. The Chinese translation of “thirst” is “to desire”. We have to thirst for the living water and desire the spiritual food which is the Word of God.
6. “It is finished” (John 19:30)
This is a declaration to the world that salvation has been completed. The death of Christ had won victory over the power of Satan. Christ had accomplished his mission of teaching, preaching, healing, and dying for us.
.7. “Father, into your hand I commit my Spirit” (Luke 23:46)
Before Jesus breathe his last, He committed his Spirit to the Father. He knew He will resurrected on the third day. He will be sitting at the right hand of His Father interceding for us.
REFLECTION:
- FORGIVENESS – Jesus is a forgiving God. When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother, Jesus answered: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven times” – a number that symbolized WITHOUT LIMIT (Mat. 18:21-22). In other words, He was saying you should ALWAYS forgive him. Jesus said: “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Mat. 6:14-15). Have you been mistreated, judged, slandered or betrayed? Do you still hold grudges against that person? Release your emotional burden of anger and hatred through forgiveness so that you can have peace and joy. May Christ’s sacrifice convince you to forgive those who had offended you.
- SALVATION – No matter how sinful a person is, if he is wiling to repent and believe in Christ, Jesus is willing to accept him as his adopted son. Are you willing to receive him as your personal Savior? Do you want to have a place in heaven to live eternally with Him? How is the day of salvation! For those who are followers of Christ, we are given the commission to share the gospel and bring salvation to the lost souls.
- COMPASSION – The fifth commandement is: “Honor your father and mother so that you will live long on the earth”. This is the first commandment with a promise. (Eph. 6:2). So, the first object of our compassion should be towards our family members. Are you honoring your parents? Do you take good care of them? Do you have good relationships with your family members?
- SEPARATION – Paul said: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present not the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 38-39) Sin is the only thing than separates us from God. But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Let us humbly confess our sins and enjoy the presence of God.
- SPIRITUAL FOOD – Our physical body needs water and food. Our spiritual body needs God’s living water and God’s word. Do you desire to read God’s Word? Are you growing spiritually?
- COMPLETION – What have you completed so far? What have you done for Christ and for fellowmen? Can you boldly say: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me, the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to me on that day” (2 Tim. 4:7-8)
- COMMITMENT – Jesus committed His spirit to the Father. How about you? Have you obeyed His command and submitted to His will? Do you fully trust in God and commit your life to Him?
LESSON:
- To our Enemies – forgive as God has forgiven us
- To our Neighbors – lead them to Christ
- To our Family members – show love, care and compassion
- To Ourselves – thirst and desire for God’s Word
- To our Heavenly Father – Repent and confess our sins
- To God’s ministry – serve Him faithfully
- To Our Future – commit our lives and everything to the Lord
If only we can remember Christ’s Last Seven Words and try our best to do what He has entrusted to us, then His sacrifice for us shall not be in vain! [:]