Sayings From The Cross

BETRAYAL - Matthew 26:36-50

Having spent 3 years in the presence of Jesus and under His teaching, Judas betrayed Him with a friendly greeting. The irony of this action is that what took place next was anything but friendly. In fact, it would be a complete injustice.

TRIAL - Matthew 27:11-26

A trial bent on one purpose: to eliminate Jesus, ended with a known murderer being set free. Starting with Barabbas, Jesus would begin the process of taking the place of sinful man in enduring the wrath of God.

FIRST SAYING

Luke 23:34 Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.

This saying reveals a love that is utterly unexpected and utterly undeserved. He prayed for the Roman soldiers and even, as Peter suggests (Acts 3:17), for the religious guides of the nation that fought to have Him crucified.

Jesus always showed more concern for others than for Himself. Even in the days leading up to His death, which He knew was coming, He expressed more concern for others than Himself

Luke 19:41 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it.

He wept over the city because its people did not understand the significance of what was going on that day—that national acceptance of Him on that day would bring them peace.

Luke 22:50–51 And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Stop! No more of this.” And He touched his ear and healed him.

Luke 23:27-28 And following Him was a large crowd of the people, and of women who were mourning and lamenting Him. But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Jesus lived his own teaching and prayed for those who were torturing him

From the Sermon on the Mount (Luke 6:27–28) But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

In the end, forgiveness demands no reason; it is grace.

SECOND SAYING

Luke 23:43 Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.

Matthew and Mark record the fact that both criminals that were crucified with Jesus were insulting Him. However, Luke records that one of them had a change of heart.

It is quite remarkable that he recognizes not only the innocence of Jesus but also that the cross was only a prelude to the kingdom

Luke 23:42 Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom! Jesus promised the man that he would be with him in paradise.

This is grace, asked for and received, as Jesus was suffering and dying.

THIRD SAYING

John 19:26-27 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.

Though suffering severe physical pain and enduring far more awful agony of soul, He thought of his mother and made provision for her future by entrusting her to the beloved disciple, believed to be John.

In Luke 2:35, a prophecy was made that a sword would pierce Mary’s soul because of what would happen to her son. Undoubtedly, she was experiencing severe anguish watching her son suffer, and eventually die.

But the tender words of Jesus must have brought to her deep comfort and healing.

FOURTH SAYING

The first three words were spoken during the bright morning hours before noon. The fourth saying was probably spoken by Jesus just before the 3 hours of darkness was lifting.

Matthew 27:46 My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?

This cry out to God is taken directly from Psalm 22, which is a psalm about despair that parallel’s Jesus’ suffering.

It is at this point, through the 3-hours of darkness, that God’s wrath toward sin is being poured out on the Christ, which is why He is at this point. In fact, John the Baptizer proclaimed about Him:

John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Jesus sensed a separation from the Father He had never known, for in becoming sin the Father had to turn judicially from His Son.

1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

FIFTH SAYING

John 19:28 I am thirsty

At the beginning of the crucifixion, Jesus was offered a drugged wine to deaden the pain of crucifixion.

It is likely that His physical suffering, lashing, blood loss, and time on the cross had led to dehydration and thirst. These physical circumstances are a natural leading to this request for a drink. What is striking is the close association of a couple verses in the Psalms to this event.

Psalm 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and you lay me in the dust of death.

Psalm 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

This drink prepared His throat to speak His final two sayings, including the last one at volume.

SIXTH SAYING

John 19:30 It is finished

This expression is best understood as a victory anthem rather than a sign of defeat. His pain and suffering are over, but He has also finished His work on the cross by atoning for sins.

Here, Jesus could be quoting the final words of Psalm 22, where it says:

Psalm 22:30-31 Posterity will serve Him; it will be told of the Lord to the coming generation. They will come and will declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, that He has performed it.

Jesus is the Lord, who performed the righteousness that is necessary for all people.

Hebrews 10:12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.

Jesus was in control of the whole crucifixion. He had said that no one could take his life from him—he would lay it down of his own accord. He had the final say of when His work was finished.

SEVENTH SAYING

Luke 23:46 Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.

Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5, which is a psalm about trusting God in the face of difficult circumstances. There is no more difficult of a circumstance than the end of our earthly life.

The only place that we can confidently place our lives is in the hands of the same Father who offers life through His Son.