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Luke 23:34, etc. - The Seven Sayings of Christ from the Cross.

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW

There are seven sayings of Jesus uttered from the cross. They were spoken in the following order:
   1. the word of forgiveness: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what
      they do" (Luke 23:34, KJV)
   2. the word of salvation: "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke
      23:43, KJV)
   3. the word of affection: "Woman, behold thy son"; "Behold thy mother" (John
      19:26-27, KJV)
   4. the word of anguish: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt.
      27:46; Mark 15:34, KJV)
   5. the word of suffering: "I thirst" (John 19:28, KJV)
   6. the word of victory: "It is finished" (John 19:30, KJV)
   7. the word of committal: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit" (Luke
      23:46, KJV) [The One Year Bible Companion re Luke 23:34 mod]

The seven utterances of Jesus as He hung upon the cross are sometimes called the Seven Words. No gospel writer mentions more than three, nor less than one, of these utterances. [SDA Bible Commentary]

The Gospels report seven utterances by Jesus as He hung on the cross. Three of these can be assigned to the first three hours, between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. Four can be assigned to the next three hours, 12-3 p.m., during which the scene was shrouded in darkness.  It is traditional during Good Friday services to meditate on these seven utterances. Surely there is much here for us to ponder. [Victor Bible Background Commentary]

Jesus' first and last words from the cross were a prayer to His Father. [Disciple SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

   James and John had once asked Jesus for the places of honor beside him in his Kingdom, (Mark 10:35-39). Now, as Jesus prepared to inaugurate his Kingdom through his death, those places beside him were filled by dying men - criminals.
   Don't we often hope for the same thing James and John did - a place of honor next to Jesus? Jesus had told his disciples what brought honor in God's Kingdom. "The greatest among you should take the lowest rank" (Luke 22:26). He emphasized his teaching by washing their feet, and now he was going further than they'd ever imagined. Death on a Roman cross was for the lowest of low.
   Often we think, "Surely Jesus doesn't mean we should go that far!" When Jesus washed their feet, the disciples may have thought that was low enough. But Jesus went further - to death. That was how low his serving went.
   As Jesus explained to his disciples, a person who wants to be close to Jesus must be willing to go that far. The way to the Kingdom is the way of the cross. It is serving that knows no bottom. It is death to our pride that rationalizes, "But not that far!" [One Year NLT SB re Luke 23:32, 33]

COMMENTARY

FIRST SAYING OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS (forgiveness).

Luke 23:34a (KJV) Then said Jesus, FATHER, FORGIVE THEM; FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.

Heaven viewed with grief and amazement Christ hanging upon the cross, blood flowing from His wounded temples, and sweat tinged with blood standing upon His brow. From His hands and feet the blood fell, drop by drop, upon the rock drilled for the foot of the cross. The wounds made by the nails gaped as the weight of His body dragged upon His hands. His labored breath grew quick and deep, as His soul panted under the burden of the sins of the world. All heaven was filled with wonder when the prayer of Christ was offered in the midst of His terrible suffering, - "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34. Yet there stood men, formed in the image of God, joining to crush out the life of His only-begotten Son. What a sight for the heavenly universe!  DA760

Jesus asked God to forgive the people who were putting him to death - Jewish leaders, Roman politicians and soldiers, bystanders - and God answered that prayer by opening up the way of salvation even to Jesus' murderers. The Roman centurion and soldiers who witnessed the crucifixion said, "Surely he was the Son of God" (Matthew 27:54). Soon many priests were converted to the Christian faith (Acts 6:7). Because we are all sinners, we all played a part in putting Jesus to death. The gospel - the Good News - is that God is gracious. He will forgive us and give us new life through his Son. [Life Application SB]

"Father, Forgive Them"
   The dialogue that Friday morning was bitter.
   From the onlookers, "Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!"
   From the religious leaders, "He saved others but he can't save himself."
   From the soldiers, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
   Bitter words. Acidic with sarcasm. Hateful. Irreverent. Wasn't it enough that he was being crucified? Wasn't it enough that he was being shamed as a criminal? Were the nails insufficient? Was the crown of thorns too soft? Had the flogging been too short?
   For some, apparently so...
   Of all the scenes around the cross, this one angers me the most. What kind of people, I ask myself, would mock a dying man? Who would be so base as to pour the salt of scorn upon open wounds? How low and perverted to sneer at one who is laced with pain...
   The words thrown that day were meant to wound. And there is nothing more painful than words meant to hurt...
   If you have suffered or are suffering because of someone else's words, you'll be glad to know that there is a balm for this laceration. Meditate on these words from 1 Peter 2:23 (NIV):
   "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."
   Did you see what Jesus did not do? He did not retaliate. He did not bite back. He did not say, "I'll get you!" "Come on up here and say that to my face!" "Just wait until after the resurrection, buddy!" No, these statements were not found on Christ's lips.
   Did you see what Jesus did do? He "entrusted himself to him who judges justly." Or said more simply, he left the judging to God. He did not take on the task of seeking revenge. He demanded no apology. He hired no bounty hunters and sent out no posse. He, to the astounding contrary, spoke on their defense. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."? (Luke 23:34 NIV)...
   "they don't know what they are doing."
   And when you think about it, they didn't. They hadn't the faintest idea what they were doing. They were a stir-crazy mob, mad at something they couldn't see so they took it out on, of all people, God. But they didn't know what they were doing.
   Yes, the dialogue that Friday morning was bitter. The verbal stones were meant to sting. How Jesus, with a body wracked with pain, eyes blinded by his own blood, and lungs yearning for air, could speak on behalf of some heartless thugs is beyond my comprehension. Never, never have I seen such love. If ever a person deserved a shot at revenge, Jesus did. But he didn't take it. Instead he died for them. How could he do it? I don't know. But I do know that all of a sudden my wounds seem very painless. My grudges and hard feelings are suddenly childish.
   Sometimes I wonder if we don't see Christ's love as much in the people he tolerated as in the pain he endured. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at maxlucado.com]

SECOND SAYING OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS (salvation).

Luke 23:42, 43 (KJV) And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, VERILY I SAY UNTO THEE, TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.

The conversion of the thief upon the cross, which is an illustrious instance of Christ's triumphing over principalities and powers even when he seemed to be triumphed over by them. Christ was crucified between two thieves, and in them were represented the different effects which the cross of Christ would have upon the children of men, to whom it would be brought near in the preaching of the gospel. They were all malefactors, all guilty before God. Now the cross of Christ is to some a savour of life unto life, to others of death unto death. (Matthew Henry's Commentary)

The dying criminal had more faith than the rest of Jesus' followers put together. Although the disciples continued to love Jesus, their hopes for the kingdom were shattered. Most of them had gone into hiding. As one of his followers sadly said two days later, "We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21). By contrast, the criminal looked at the man who was dying next to him and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." By all appearances, the kingdom was finished. How awe-inspiring is the faith of this man who alone saw beyond the present shame to the coming glory! [Life Application SB]

THIRD SAYING OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS (affection).

John 19:26, 27 (KJV) When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, WOMAN, BEHOLD THY SON!  Then saith he to the disciple, BEHOLD THY MOTHER! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

In this passage there is something which is surely one of the loveliest things in all the gospel story. When Jesus saw his mother, he could not but think of the days ahead. He could not commit her to the care of his brothers, for they did not believe in him yet (Jn 7:5). And, after all, John had a double qualification for the service Jesus entrusted to him--he was Jesus' cousin, being Salome's son, and he was the disciple whom Jesus loved. So Jesus committed Mary to John's care and John to Mary's, so that they should comfort each other's loneliness when he was gone. [Barclay Commentary]

Behold, my beloved disciple shall be to you a son, and provide for you, and discharge toward you the duties of an affectionate child. Mary was poor. It would even seem that now she had no home. Jesus, in his dying moments, filled with tender regard for his mother, secured for her an adopted son, obtained for her a home, and consoled her grief by the prospect of attention from him who was the most beloved of all the apostles. What an example of filial attention! What a model to all children! And how lovely appears the dying Saviour, thus remembering his afflicted mother, and making her welfare one of his last cares on the cross, and even when making atonement for the sins of the world! (Barnes' Notes)

FOURTH SAYING OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS (anguish).

Matthew 27:46 (KJV) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?

Jesus was not questioning God; he was quoting the first line of Psalm 22 - a deep expression of the anguish he felt when he took on the sins of the world, which caused him to be separated from his Father. This was what Jesus dreaded as he prayed to God in the garden to take the cup from him (Matthew 26:39). The physical agony was horrible, but even worse was the period of spiritual separation from God. Jesus suffered this double death so that we would never have to experience eternal separation from God. [Life Application SB]

Did God actually forsake Jesus? (27:46) The divine and human natures of Jesus were never separated, even during the crucifixion. Yet it is clear, difficult as it is to explain, that Jesus' intimate fellowship with God the Father was temporarily broken as he took the sin of the entire world on himself. Jesus used the words of Psalm 22, which begins with despair but ends with renewed trust in God. By quoting that psalm, Jesus may have hinted that he knew the broken relationship with his Father would soon be restored. [Quest SB]

FIFTH SAYING OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS (suffering).

John 19:28 (KJV) After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I THIRST.

The fatigue which he had undergone, the grief he had felt, the heat of the day, and the loss of blood, were the natural causes of this thirst. This he would have borne without complaint; but he wished to give them the fullest proof of his being the Messiah, by distinctly marking how everything relative to the Messiah, which had been written in the prophets, had its complete fulfilment in him. (Adam Clarke Commentary)

One of the women who lingered at the foot of the cross had once known thirst that ordinary water couldn't quench. She had been an outcast among her peers, and there was no place in society for someone like her. She had a great need, and nothing could fill the emptiness, the void within her. Then came the day when she met Jesus. Although her accusers had already given up on her and would readily have stoned her, Jesus saw her need, and rather than give up on her, he faced her accusers and saved not only her life but her soul as well. From that moment forward, Mary Magdalene was a devoted disciple of Christ, following him even to the foot of a brutal cross. When Jesus cried out in thirst, the soldiers mistook it for weakness of the flesh and thrust sour wine to his lips. What they didn't comprehend is that Jesus' words were a declaration of his completion of his Father's work. He was thirsty because he was being poured out as an offering, not only for the grateful woman who knelt at his feet but also for generations of people to come. [Praying Through The Bible By Fuller]

SIXTH SAYING OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS (victory).

John 19:30 (KJV) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, IT IS FINISHED: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The sixth word or saying that Jesus spoke from the cross was a single Greek work which means It is finished. Papyri receipts for taxes have been recovered with this word written across them, meaning "paid in full." This word on Jesus' lips was significant. When He said, "It is finished" (not "I am finished"), He meant His redemptive work was completed. He had been made sin for people (2 Cor. 5:21) and had suffered the penalty of God's justice which sin deserved. [Bible Knowledge Commentary]

   With one prophecy after another falling into place, Jesus went to the cross and died for the sins of the world. Finally, he said, "It is finished." God's plan, which the Bible says was put into place before the creation of the world, was finally fulfilled. The centerpiece of God's rescue mission was complete.
   The death of Jesus is the ultimate expression of love, and it's available to anyone who will agree to be rescued. To some, the thought that a sacrificial death was necessary is offensive; to others, it's everything. Paul made this message of the cross the essence of his preaching because it's the only means of our salvation. Jesus' death removed everything that stood between us and God so we can have perfect fellowship with him through faith. [NIV Once A Day Bible]

   The cross was the goal of Jesus from the very beginning. His birth was so there would be His death. The incarnation was for our atonement. He was born to die so that we might live. And when He had accomplished the purpose He had come to fulfill, He summed it up with a single word: finished.
   In the original Greek, it was a common word. Jesus probably used it after He finished a project that He and Joseph might have been working on together in the carpentry shop. Jesus might have turned to Joseph and said, "Finished. Now let's go have lunch." It is finished. Mission accomplished. It is done. It is made an end of.
   So what was finished? Finished and completed were the horrendous sufferings of Christ. Never again would He experience pain at the hand of wicked men. Never again would He have to bear the sins of the world. Never again would He, even for a moment, be forsaken of God. That was completed. That was taken care of.
   Also finished was Satan's stronghold on humanity. Jesus came to deal a decisive blow against the devil and his demons at the cross of Calvary. Hebrews 2:14 says, "That through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil" This means that you no longer have to be under the power of sin. Because of Jesus' accomplishment at the cross, finished was the stronghold of Satan on humanity.
   And lastly, finished was our salvation. It is completed. It is done. All of our sins were transferred to Jesus when He hung on the cross. His righteousness was transferred to our account.
   So Jesus cried out the words, "It is finished!" It was God's deliberate and well-thought-out plan. It is finished - so rejoice! [By Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]

SEVENTH SAYING OF CHRIST FROM THE CROSS (committal).

Luke 23:46 (KJV) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, FATHER, INTO THY HANDS I COMMEND MY SPIRIT: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Jesus died with a prayer on his lips. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." That is Ps 31:5 with one word added - Father. That verse was the prayer every Jewish mother taught her child to say last thing at night. Just as we were taught, maybe, to say, "This night I lay me down to sleep," so the Jewish mother taught her child to say, before the threatening dark came down, "Into thy hands I commit my spirit."  Jesus made it even more lovely for he began it with the word Father. Even on a cross Jesus died like a child falling asleep in his father's arms. [Barclay Commentary]

The words are from yet another psalm, Ps. 31:5, and were used in Israel as an evening prayer. The psalm is a beautiful expression of unshakable confidence. It reminds us that, although Christ accepted death as the Father's will, His suffering in no way threatened the loving bond of trust that existed between them. [Victor Bible Background Commentary re Mar.15:34]

CLOSING THOUGHT

   Every fall and winter, I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It occurs when reduced exposure to sunlight produces a chemical imbalance in the brain. I'm thankful for the antidepressant that keeps my mood balanced and for the privilege of prayer. Talking to God and praising Jesus helps the most.
   The Gospel of Luke tells us that during Jesus's final three hours, as He hung dying on the cross, darkness covered the entire earth "for the sun stopped shining" (23:45, NIV).
   All of us who experience the darkness of depression - even for a short season - understand the hopelessness that Jesus must have felt in those hours. Not only did our Savior take on the sins of every person who ever lived during that time of darkness, I am convinced He also felt all our pain, shame, and despair, which accounts for His quick death (John 19:31-34). The Son of God experienced a staggering depression of the soul, like no other.
   The Bible tells us that Jesus is not "unable to empathize with our weaknesses" (Hebrews 4:15, NIV). By entering into our darkness, Jesus understood and took on Himself all of our sin, weakness, and helplessness.
   No wonder we call this day "Good Friday." Jeanette Levellie
   Faith Step: Go into a secluded room or closet. Block out as much light as you can. Thank Jesus for His willingness to take on all the darkness of sinful humanity. Now open wide the door and windows. Turn all the lights on. As you do, sing a song of praise to Jesus, the Light of the world. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan re John 1:5]

CLOSING PRAISE AND WORSHIP SONG:

More Than Wonderful by Sandi Patti & Larnelle Harris:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRTwUvZG5a0

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY

The Last Words Of Christ On The Cross From Charles Spurgeon's Writings:
https://godrules.net/library/spurgeon/NEWspurgeon_m1.htm

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/