The Seven Last Sayings of Christ on the Cross

We are continuing our meditation on the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and especially today the crucifixion itself:

 

³⁴Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ³⁵The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." ³⁶The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar ³⁷and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." ³⁸There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. ³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" ⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." ⁴²Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." ⁴³Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." ⁴⁴It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, ⁴⁵for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two (Luke 23:34-45).

 

The last words a person speaks before he or she dies are usually significant things that they want to convey. There are seven last sayings of Christ while on the cross. We will examine these sayings in order, beginning with the first saying:

 

1) "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

 

Who was Jesus forgiving because of their ignorance? This first saying was directed to the soldiers guarding Him as they divided His clothing among themselves. John writes that the four soldiers guarding Him cast lots for his clothing in fulfillment of another prophecy (John 19:23-24; Psalm 22:8). Most pictures of Christ on the cross usually show an undergarment over his loins, but in reality, crucified criminals were usually hung naked for reason of humiliation and to dissuade others from criminal paths. It seems that as soon as the cross had settled into its socket, the chief priest and elders mocked Him. He did not retaliate or curse or wail. In the midst of His pain, He did the opposite. Amazingly, He forgave the soldiers, even as they were casting lots for His clothing. It was not their business to question their leaders. They had a job to do, and they were doing it in ignorance of Christ's identity. They did not see the enormity of what took place, that God was the One crucified. 

 

But what of the rulers who sneered at Him, those mentioned in verse 35? They knew what they were doing. They were and are culpable (deserving blame) before God. Each of us will be asked of God on the Day of Judgment as to what we did with the Lord Jesus Christ. Did we reject Him or followed Him wholeheartedly because His message rang true? All of us must answer this question—our eternal lives depend on how you respond to His offering of forgiveness.

 

Father, please let me be one that will receive and walk in the complete forgiveness of Jesus that He spoke from the cross. Thank you for such love, mercy and grace You have shown us. Keith