[:en]Devotional Thoughts for Today (4/2/21)[:]

[:en]THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS:

In Biblical meaning, 7 is the number of “perfection” and completeness”.  These 7 words of Jesus signify the real contents, belief, and spirit of Christianity.

  1. “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING” (LUKE 23:34)  –  This is the prayer of love.  Faced with terrible pain and death, Jesus had a forgiving heart, asking His Father to forgive those who mocked, accused, persecuted, denied and killed him.  In the same matter, as children of God, we should also forgive those who betray, slander, persecute and unfairly judge us because forgiveness is the mark of a true Christian.  Jesus taught us to forgive 7 x 70 times, meaning to always forgive.  The Bible says, if we cannot forgive others, God will not forgive us also (Mat. 18:23-35).  The Lord’s prayer specifies – Forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors (Mat. 6:12)
  2. “I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, TODAY, YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE’ (LUKE 23:43) –  There were two thieves that were beside Jesus at the cross. One of them hurled insults against Jesus, but the other one rebuked him and told Jesus to remember him in His kingdom.  Jesus answered him: “I tell you the truth, today, you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).  This thief was not baptized.  He was not a church member, but he was being saved.  Therefore, salvation does not depend on religious rites or activities.  It depends upon whether you have truly repented of your sins and been born again.  While Jesus was on the cross, he forgot his suffering and blessed others.  That is why Paul said: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others” (Phil. 2:4).  Let us imitate Jesus’ example to care for those who are in grief, in pain, in sickness, in despair and in need.
  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, He saw his mother and His beloved disciple John beneath Him.  He knew His role as a son, so He assigned John the responsibility to take care of His mother.   The fifth of the ten commandments is” “Honor your father and your mother as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (Deut. 5:16).  This is a commandment that had a promise.  Therefore, every child must honor his parents and take care of them when they are old.
  4. “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?” (MAT. 27:46) – Since  God is holy, he does not allow sin.  When Jesus was on the cross, he was carrying sins in our behalf, that is why he felt abandoned because the Father was far from Him.   While at the cross from 9 am to 3 pm with the duration of 6 hours, Jesus suffered the wrath of God on his shoulder.  That was the most agonizing moment of His life.  Sin separates us from God.  But Jesus had reconciled us to the Father through the shedding of His blood.   The only way to feel God’s presence is to repent, confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness.
  5. “I AM THIRSTY” (JOHN 19:28) – “Thirsty”  has dual spiritual meaning.  It represents our Savior who is thirst to save sinners.  It also needs people who are thirst to receive the salvation.  There are two instances in the Bible that illustrated the spiritual meaning of “thirsty”.  First was the Parable of the Prodigal Son.  When the son left home to commit sin outside, the Father “thirst” for his return.  While the son was broke and nowhere to go, he realized his mistake and “thirst” to go back to his house.  Second was written in John 4 when Jesus asked water from the Samaritan woman.  Jesus “thirst” for the salvation of the woman” while the Samaritan “thirst” to drink the living water.  Both illustrations concluded that God is longing for sinners to repent and believe in Him but the sinner must be willing to accept His redemption to quench his thirst.  When both “thirst” are met, there is a banquet provided by God for us to enjoy the taste of salvation.
  6. “IT IS FINISHED” (JOHN 19:30) – Jesus announced the fulfillment of His mission on earth.  His death on the cross had reconciled man to God and became our Savior and intercessor.  His resurrection proved that he had overcome Satan and death and is now a victorious king.  May we also fulfill what God had entrusted to us to do in this earth.  He had given us this mission:  “Go and make disciples”.   Are you leading people to Christ?
  7.  “FATHER, INTO YOU HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT” (LUKE 23:46) – At the last moment of His life, Jesus committed His spirit to His Father.  This teaches us to commit everything – our fear, worries, trouble, despair, pain, grief, discouragement and anxieties – to God.  Knowing that God is in control of everything, we have the confidence of His presence , providence and protection..

7 LAST WILLS OF JESUS IN SUMMARY:

  1. Forgive your enemies
  2. Care for others
  3. Honor your parents
  4. Be reconciled to God
  5. Thirst for spiritual food
  6. Fulfill God’s mission for you on earth
  7. Commit yourself to the Lord

As we celebrate Good Friday today, let us thank Jesus for His sacrifice and salvation.  Let us remember His 7 last words and follow His example to do the above 7 being summarized.

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