Jesus was unjustly sentenced to a common criminal death by the malice of people. These are the seven prophetic sentences which Jesus spoke while He was hung at the cross before He died. These seven sentences of Jesus were meant for us. A prophetic revelation of our Christian journey or what will transpire in our Christian life.
THE FIRST SENTENCE
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
This was Jesus’ response to all the mockery, abuse, hate and evil thrown at Him. This was the tremendous love of God. He first loved us even before we loved Him. We are saved because of His forgiveness. It was His forgiveness that begun everything for us in this Christian journey.
THE SECOND SENTENCE
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
Jesus spoke to the criminal hung beside Him. Because of His forgiveness, we are saved. We now have the assurance of eternal bliss. We now experience the joy of our salvation.
THE THIRD SENTENCE
When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:26-27)
At a very difficult time, in agony, Jesus didn’t fail to undertake His responsibility. He made sure that the physical wellbeing His natural mother was taken care of.
We have experienced His forgiveness. And we have experienced the joy of our salvation. Our life is changed. We have a new character. We are no more governed by selfishness and escapism, we become a responsible person benefiting others around us.
THE FOURTH SENTENCE
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34)
At the cross, Jesus was separated from God the Father for the first time ever. He was separated so that you will never have to experience that separation. Do you treasure your relationship with God? Is your relationship with God, very important, to you?
God said: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)
THE FIFTH SENTENCE
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. (John 19:28-29)
We share in the suffering of Jesus. He was thirsty and they ministered to Him. We share in His suffering by serving Him. When we are helping a disciple of Jesus, we are helping Jesus. What is He urging you to do in the service to others?
We become part of the work of the cross by helping others to experience the same love. Will you share and tell His love to others?
THE SIXTH SENTENCE
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)
God has a particularly special purpose, a type of ministry, for us. We individually have a divine work to do while we are here on earth, a work which is tailor-made by God for us. There is a divine plan, we will have to find it, and fit in.
Jesus finished the work that the Father had given Him to do. We have a God-ordained legacy to leave behind. Can you say like Jesus that “it is finished” before you die? Will you complete the life task given to you?
THE SEVENTH SENTENCE
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)
When we depart the earth after we have finished our life task, God will take care of everything for us from then on. We commit everything to Him without worry or fear, knowing that He knows just how to reward us and His judgment is always righteous and fair. No more toils or tears in that everlasting future. We enter into eternal relaxation resting in the Father’s hands. We can say, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
HIS SIDE was pierced, water and blood gushed out. It speaks of OUR EMOTIONS. Let’s surrender our emotions to Him.
A crown of thorns was forced down on HIS HEAD, His blood trickling down his face and His hair was wet with His blood. It speaks of OUR THOUGHTS. Let’s surrender our thoughts to Him.
HIS BACK was whipped with hooks, pieces of flesh broke open. He carried the cross on His back. We wear our accomplishments and achievements on our back, we carry loads and burdens on our back. Let’s surrender OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS or LOAD AND BURDENS to Him.
HIS HANDS were nailed to the cross. Let’s give Him what we do.
HIS FEET were nailed. Let Him order our walk, where we go.
He was BEATEN. Let’s give Him our hurts and pains.
He was RIDICULED AND HUMILIATED. Let’s give Him our pride and reputation.
Pr Zac Loh is the founder of a ministry called “Discipling Africa.” He travels around the world to share about the importance of self-transformation and his love for God.
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Pr Zac Loh
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