Sayings of Jesus on the Cross – 1

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Sayings of Jesus on the Cross – 1

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr


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TEACHINGS OF JESUS (67)

Jesus On the Cross – 7 Sayings – Part 1 of 2

 

We are about to bring our study of the teachings of Jesus to its conclusion.  We have studied many things from His preaching and teaching.  The past several weeks have addressed His final admonitions prior to the cross.   We now come to the cross.  Jesus has been betrayed, arrested, falsely tried, denied, and condemned to death by a cowardly leader who knew he was innocent.  BUT, we need for this to happen and Jesus knew it – as noted, He had finished His work.

Now we find Jesus on the cross and while there we find recorded in the gospels 7 sayings that He uttered.  Our lesson today will briefly address these 7 sayings and their implications to us.  As we begin, let it be known that I do not know the order in which these were said, but I have placed them in a progressive order.

 

  1. “Father forgive them…” – Luke 23:34
    1. Likely the first recorded saying on the cross. Luke records it immediately after His crucifixion.
    2. These are words of forgiveness. Jesus is the ultimate example of forgiveness.  Both in word and deed. He continually taught the importance of forgiveness
      1. Matthew 6:12, 14-15 – the only part of the model prayer that Jesus elaborated on
      2. Jesus forgave sins on many occasions – Matthew 9:2, 5-6 – when He healed the paralytic; Luke 7:47-48 where Jesus forgave the sins of the “sinner” as Simon the Pharisee judged her
      3. Parables of forgiveness – Matthew 18:21-35 – the parable of the unforgiving servant; Luke 7:36-50 – the parable of two debtors, both forgiven.
      4. Other teachings – how often? Matthew 18:22 – 70×7; Luke 17:4 – 7 times in a day.
      5. The POINT is Jesus greatly emphasized the need for forgiveness.
      6. BUT there is NO greater example of His forgiveness that those words on the cross.
    3. From this we learn of our need to forgive one another.
      1. Consider this: Jesus has been falsely taken and accused, then grossly mistreated by everyone with authority. Jewish rulers who should have known better were the initial instigators, and then a corrupt Roman governor was complicit and cowardly in his ruling.  Jesus has been flogged which did considerable damage, humiliated, and continually mocked during the process.  And the FIRST recorded words out of His mouth on the cross, “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”  How does that fare compared to what we have had to endure?
      2. Colossians 3:13 – even as Christ forgave you, so you must also do.
      3. Ephesians 4:32, And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
    4. We understand that the crucifixion itself was an act of forgiveness.
      1. Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.
      2. Ephesians 1:7 notes that in Him is redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
    5. His death was about our forgiveness, that is why we are here.
    6. But let us also be reminded that forgiveness is not an unconditional act – that is not taught in scripture.  Forgiveness is something we receive when we obey the gospel – Acts 2:37-38, 22:16, etc.
      AND when we ask forgiveness as Christians through prayer – 1 John 1:9.
      Furthermore we have noted passages above that describe it as conditional (as we forgive we will be forgiven).
    7. We can see all of this in the Lord’s first saying on the cross.
  2. “Today you will be with Me in paradise” – Luke 23:43
    1. Jesus was innocent, his companions were not. We find here words of salvation.
    2. Jesus was crucified along with 2 thieves one on either side of Him (Luke 23:33). The crowd was mocking Jesus and the thieves joined in (Matthew 27:44 says they reviled Him).  But one of the 2 thieves rebuked the other noting they deserved what they were getting, but he knew that Jesus was innocent. (Vs. 40-41) He then asked Jesus to remember him when He came in His kingdom (vs. 42).
    3. Jesus forgave him and spoke these words of comfort.
    4. This leads to an important question. Was the thief saved at that time?
      1. The answer to that question is: Yes! He was told he would be with Jesus in paradise – thus he HAD to have been saved. BUT that is not the end of the discussion.
      2. This is a favorite passage of denominationalists to dismiss the need for baptism. They reason that the thief could not be baptized because of where he was, yet he was saved by Jesus simply by believing in and confessing Him.  However, there are concerns about this:
        1. HOW do you know he was not baptized? This thief seems to have had a better understanding of the teachings of Jesus than the religious leaders who condemned Jesus to death.  He COULD have been baptized by John prior to this, and he COULD have been a faithful Jews, and he COULD have heard Jesus teach or heard ABOUT His teachings and believed.    NOTE: I am NOT saying he was baptized.  I do not KNOW whether he was or not! But I AM saying one cannot emphatically say he was not, NOR can anyone attest to the penitent thief’s former life where salvation was concerned.
        2. Furthermore, Jesus, while on earth had power to forgive sins at will. We addressed some examples in our previous point.  If Jesus could forgive the paralytic and the woman who washed His feet with her tears, why could He NOT forgive this thief on the cross while still here with Him.   BUT note that we do NOT have that capacity now.  All we have is what God’s word says and it calls for us to do more than merely believe in Him (Matthew 7:21-23).  His “great commission” included baptism, which was preached on the day of Pentecost and responded to by some 3000 souls that day (Acts 2:38-29, 41).  1 Peter 3:21 tells us we need to be baptized, as does Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27, etc.
        3. ALSO, we cannot dismiss that as Jesus uttered these words, He had not yet died. Thus, the Old Law was still in effect.   Colossians 2:14 tells us the Old Law was nailed to the cross.  Hebrews 8:7-13 explains the need for a new covenant for Christ to reign as priest and king, and Hebrews 9:16ff explains the need for the DEATH of the testator for a new testament (will) to go into force.  He applies this to Jesus.
          The POINT: When Jesus forgave this thief, the New Law that we are under was not yet in effect.  Thus we cannot apply this example to how we are to be saved.
  3. “Woman, behold your son”, “Behold your mother” – John 19:26-27
    1. AT the foot of the cross Jesus saw His mother and other disciples. While He was about to die, He still showed concern (affection) for her.  Thus He entrusted “the disciple whom He loved” – John – to the care of His mother.  And we are told that from that hour, he took her in to his home.
    2. In this expression we see the compassion and caring of Jesus. Even in His sufferings, He was thinking about the well-being of others.  This expression shows that Jesus GENUINELY care for those who belong to Him.
    3. Throughout His preaching and teaching, He showed compassion for the needy and broken. Many of His miracles showed this compassion – Mark 1:40-41 where He cleansed a leper; Matthew 9:36-37 as He sees the multitudes scattered and weary; Matthew 14:14 as He healed the sick; Mathew 15:32ff – in the feeding of the 4000 (& 5000); Matthew 20:34 in giving sight to blind men; Luke 7:13-14 – even in raising a widow’s son; etc.
    4. We too are to be compassionate, learning from His example – 1 Peter 3:8 calls for us to have compassion for one another; Ephesians 4:32 calls for to be kind and tenderhearted following His example.
    5. ALSO, there is something to be said about making provisions for one’s family.
      1. The Bible entrusts responsibility to the husband (Ephesians 5:28-29, 6:4, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Peter 3:7, etc.).
      2. Later in life, if needed, children are to care for their elderly parents. 1 Timothy 5:4 & 8; cf. Matthew 15:4-6; Ephesians 6:2 – honor your father and mother; Proverbs 23:22 – do not despise your mother when she is old…
      3. Here Jesus as He is dying is still looking out for His physical family.
      4. You do have here an example of making plans to provide, should some unforeseen event occur – for example, adequate insurance, enough savings, debt reduction, etc.
      5. Again, be reminded of WHEN Jesus showed this compassion – in His darkest hour as He was suffering Himself.

(To be continued with part 2)

And thus we have the 7 sayings of Jesus while on the cross.  Each one teaches us something about Jesus AND about how we are to live our lives.  And ultimately how to face eternity.  Are you ready to stand before Him?  If not, why not change that right now while you still have opportunity.  Think about it!

[1] Barnes, A. (1884–1885). Notes on the New Testament: II Corinthians & Galatians. (R. Frew, Ed.) (pp. 334–335). London: Blackie & Son.

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