In The Footsteps Of The Master: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ Sayings From The Cross – Part I September 2,

Introduction While on the cross, Jesus utters seven final statements –Each is profound in its own right They reveal a great deal about Jesus and His purpose here The first three focus on the needs of others The remainder focus on His own anguish and suffering for us 2

Saying #1 Luke 23:34 –"Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.“ Said as the soldiers mocked him and cast lots for His clothing 3

The Context Luke 23:33-37 – 33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves. 35 And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One." 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming up to Him, offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself!" 4

Jesus’ Purpose Remember that at any point Jesus could have called twelve legions of angels Matthew 26:53 – 53 "Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?" Imagine the restraint Yet, had He done that, we would have been lost –Instead, He prayed for their forgiveness 5

Interpretation Two interpretations of this passage for consideration –Forgiveness –Fulfillment 6

Forgiveness Jesus’ mission was to reclaim mankind for the Father –He spent every minute of every day working to fulfill His purpose Even in humiliation and suffering, Jesus continues his salvific mission –Forgiving the misdeeds of those who treat Him contemptuously –Does ignorance qualify as a defense? 7

Fulfillment Another viewpoint is that the Jews and the Romans do not realize the purpose that they are fulfilling Every action taken is part of God’s master plan and was planned in advance –The Jews and Romans are simply instruments Psalm 22:18 – 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. 8

Saying #2 Luke 23:43 –"Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.“ Said to the thief on the cross Possibly one of the most debated passages in all of Scripture –“What about the thief on the cross?” –Jesus extends salvation without baptism 9

Full Text Luke 23:39-43 – 39 One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" 40 But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." 42 And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" 43 And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise." 10

For Discussion The first thief joins the Romans and the Jews in defiantly mocking Jesus –Isn’t that a bit like the pot calling the kettle black? –“Save yourself and us” The second thief is quick to recognize what is at play –Both thieves are guilty of their crimes –However, Jesus is innocent And He is about to do great things This man wants to be part of it 11

Saying #3 John 19:26-27 –"Woman, behold, your son!" –"Behold, your mother!“ Said to John as he and Mary stood watching at the foot of the cross 12

Full Text John 19:26-27 – 26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" 27 Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" From that hour the disciple took her into his own household. 13

For Discussion Why would Jesus make a statement like this? –He loved His Mother –Joseph has most likely passed away Why choose John over his brothers and sisters? 14

Side Note Some infer from this that Jesus had no blood siblings –If He did, they would have cared for Mary –The sisters and brothers referenced in Mark 6:3 were Joseph’s children from a previous marriage Possible, though Mark 7 acknowledges that His siblings did not believe in Him –That changes after the resurrection –Jesus wanted His mother in the care of someone He could trust 15

Saying #4 Matthew 27:46 –"ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?“ A troubling statement for many –“Why would God forsake His son?” –“He wouldn’t... Would He?” –“Surely this can’t be correct” 16

Full Text Matthew 27:46 – 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" 47 And some of those who were standing there, when they heard it, began saying, "This man is calling for Elijah." 48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink. 49 But the rest of them said, "Let us see whether Elijah will come to save Him." 17

For Discussion Some around heard this and thought that Jesus was calling for Elijah –We have the English translation of the Greek representation of Jesus’ words in Aramaic The rest said “Let’s see if Elijah comes...” 18

A Prophecy Fulfilled Psalm 22:1-5 – 1 My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. 2 O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest. 3 Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel. 4 In You our fathers trusted; They trusted and You delivered them. 5 To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed. 19

A Prophecy Fulfilled Psalm 22:6-10 – 6 But I am a worm and not a man, A reproach of men and despised by the people. 7 All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying, 8 "Commit yourself to the LORD; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him." 9 Yet You are He who brought me forth from the womb; You made me trust when upon my mother's breasts. 10 Upon You I was cast from birth; You have been my God from my mother's womb. 20

A Prophecy Fulfilled Psalm 22:11-15 – 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near; For there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me. 13 They open wide their mouth at me, As a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. 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. 21

A Prophecy Fulfilled Psalm 22:16-18 – 16 For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; 18 They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots. 22

For Discussion Why would Jesus utter these words? Why would God forsake His One and Only? –Simple answer: He had to –Jesus bore the sins of all mankind 2 Corinthians 5:24 – 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. 23

Victory Psalm 22:19-31 We know, as Paul Harvey would have said, “the rest of the story” Jesus won the victory that the Psalmist was seeking This saying shouldn’t be troubling to us, it should indicate the victory that was won through Jesus’ suffering 24

25 Next Week Sayings From The Cross – Part II