Seven Sayings

Luke 23:34-49

On one occasion the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest Him, but they returned to their leaders without Him, and said, "Never man spake like this man" (John 7:46). (Lehman Strauss)

Of these seven words of our Lord, three were addressed to God the Father and four to men. I like to think of these seven sayings as seven windows through which we are able to look into the very mind and heart of God. On that darkest day in human history man needed windows through which the light of God could shine.

(ibid)

Seven Sayings from the Cross

I. A Word Of Forgiveness.

Luke 23:34 “Father forgive them”

This shows Who needs to forgive them.

“Father”

This shows how the Father forgives them.

It is through Jesus’ blood redemption is paid.

Colossians 1:14.

It is through Jesus blood pardon is found.

Acts 20:28.

II. A Word Of Foresight.

Luke 23:43 “Today thou shalt be with me in paradise”

The first saying is Jesus in His office as the Great High Priest.

The second is Christ in the office of the Prophet.

Christ promises Heaven to all that accept what He done for them and Who it was that did it.

Christ provides us a place with Him.

(John 14:1-3)

“paradise” occurs 3 times:

Luk 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

2Co 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The dying thief rejoiced to see

That fountain in his day;

And there may I, though vile as he,

Wash all my sins away.

III. A Word Of Furnishing.

Mary needed care and Jesus was soon to be gone.

John 19:26 “Woman behold thy son”

This is a picture of Christ leaving at this moment but taking care of us through the Comforter. (John 16:7-10)

John had yet to be over the pride and anger associated with him thus far.

John 19:27 “Son, behold thy mother”

This would be the gift Jesus furnished to him to adjust him.

IV. A Word Of Forewarning.

Matt 27:46 “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

This saying is a mystery to some.

This saying is a quote of Psalm 22:1.

This saying is one of desolation:

"Here it is 'God,' for He appeals to divine righteousness. Somewhere in the darkness He feels pushed out of the Father's heart in a desolate forest. Yet He clings to divine righteousness. In spite of the mystery of the moment He knew that God as God must be doing right." (Herbert Lockyer)

This saying is in the darkness of Matthew 26:45.

It was in that darkness we are given a great example of what we are to do in frustration.

It was in that darkness we are given a great example of how God will withstand our frustration.

V. A Word Of Famine.

John 19:28 “I thirst”

Christ quotes Psalm 69:21.

Christ reached the point of famine for water.

We are at that point.

Amos 8:11 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:”

We have a lack of preaching because people do not want to hear it.

We have a lack of preaching because men will not preach.

Is it a worry over losing people.

Is it a worry over losing money.

VI. A Word Of Faith.

Luke 23:46 “Father into thy hands I commend my spirit”

I read of a man who became famous through his restaurant business. He established eating places for three thousand miles from New York to California and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. When at last it came time for him to die, his family gathered about his bed to hear his last words. Now please don't laugh when I tell you that they heard him whisper, "Slice the ham thin." There was nothing wrong with what he said. It means only that the ruling passion of his life showed up clearly at death. Though there may be an exception now and then, this is generally the rule.

This shows us an example to follow in living.

This shows us an example to follow in dying.

If we can trust Jesus with life hereafter, we can trust Him now.

He will safely lead us in. (John 6:44)

He will safely lead us out. (Hebrews 9:27)

He will safely lead us over. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

VII. A Word Of Finish.

John 19:30 “It is finished”

This is all God needs to provide for your salvation.

Their is nothing: water baptism, talking in tongues, money, etc. that can be added to this statement!

Ephesians 2:8–9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Conclusion:

The enmity which exists between God and man grows out of the carnal mind of man, "because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). The reason for this estrangement is sin. Sin creates disharmony with God, and until the sin has been forgiven the alienation must continue.