Seven Sayings on the Cross Luke 23:37 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

Jesus spoke seven times while he was on the cross.  The words of our dying Savior help us to understand and appreciate salvation even more than we already do.  They are:

Words of forgiveness – Lk 23:34 – no matter what you have done in your life, Jesus is willing to forgive you.  He forgave those who killed him.  Paul was a persecutor and responsible for the death of many.  God forgave him.  Col 1:14 forgiveness is in Jesus Christ.

Words of Care – Jn 19:26-27 – in all of his agony and suffering Jesus had enough care and concern for his mother to make sure that she was taken care of after his death.  1 Pet 5:7… God cares not only for you but he cares for your loved ones as well.  If he could care this much in his agony you know he can certainly care for you in his glory.

Words of salvation – Lk 23:43 – Jesus said to the dying thief, “This day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”  Paradise was in Abraham’s bosom [Lk 16:19-31] before the resurrection. Now it is in heaven.  This thief believed in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord before Jesus had even died.  He believed Jesus would rise and rule in his kingdom.

Words of agony – Jn 19:28 – in these words we hear the human suffering of God manifest in the flesh.  He experienced pain, torture, and suffering as he was punished for us and for our sins.

Words of rejection – Matt 27:46 – Jesus had said, “I and my Father are one,” [Jn 10:30]. Now he was rejected under the wrath of God. He became sin for us.  He bare our sins in his own body.  As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so was the Son of man lifted up. On the cross Jesus fulfilled Ps 22.  He became a worm and no man [Ps 22:6].

Words of accomplishment – Jn 19:30 – all the work that was required for salvation was done on the cross.  There is nothing more for anyone to do.  Salvation is not by works.  Salvation is by grace and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary.

Words of assurance – Lk 23:46 – he knew that his spirit would be with his Father although he had been forsaken.  Likewise, when we die we can commend our spirit to God because we are absolutely sure that his salvation is complete and accomplished in our lives

Conclusion: hopefully hearing these words strengthens your faith in Christ if you are saved.  Hopefully, hearing these words gives you the desire to get saved today if you are lost.