goodness and mercy

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5/7: Suffering (The Significance of Jesus’ Final Words on the Cross)


If you have just joined me for this series exploring Jesus’ final words on the Cross, please see my previous posts (links below). Jesus’ words speak of salvation and forgiveness, revealing His great compassion. They also show his great anguish in being separated from the Father by our sin. But, most importantly, his words reveal who He is and what He is doing.

Today we look at the fifth and very short statement Jesus makes: “I thirst” (John 19:28). These words, spoken close to death after three hours of darkness (and six hours on the Cross), express physical suffering. But his actual thirst is not the only reason for saying them, as the surrounding verses reveal: “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”(NIV)

Jesus’ Humanity

As theologian Charles Spurgeon explains, there are multiple physical reasons for Jesus’ thirst: ” . . . [it] was caused, perhaps, in part by the loss of blood, and by the fever created by the irritation caused by his four grievous wounds. The nails were fastened in the most sensitive parts of the body . . . The extreme tension produced a burning feverishness. It was pain that dried his mouth and made it like an oven, till he declared, in the language of the twenty-second psalm, “My tongue cleaveth to my jaws.” (Charles Spurgeon Sermon 1409.)

Pink believes that “I thirst” was not an appeal for pity, nor a request to alleviate his sufferings: “It gave expression to the intensity of the agonies He was undergoing” (p.98). At this point, Jesus thirsts both physically and spiritually, separated from the Father, longing to be reunited with Him. “His thirst was the effect of the agony of His soul in the fierce heat of God’s wrath. It told of the drought of the land where the living God is not” (p.98).

The Messiah who fulfils Scripture

Jesus expressed both the desire and knowledge that Scripture must be fulfilled. His phrase “I thirst” is the specific fulfilment of Psalm 69:21 (one of the many Messianic Psalms – we are just scratching the surface!). Jesus knew the predictions of previous verses were already fulfilled. For example, he had:
* sunk in the “deep mire”
* been hated “without a cause”
* borne reproach and shame
* become a stranger to his brothers
* cried to God in His distress
Nothing remained except the offer of gall and vinegar. For this reason, Jesus says, “I thirst”. Pink sees Christ’s deep reverence for both the Scriptures and his role as our Saviour, who must bow to the authority of the Father’s word in both life and death. “He hung on the cross for six hours and passed through unparalleled suffering, yet is His mind clear and His memory unimpaired. . . He remembers there is one prophetic Scripture unaccomplished. He overlooked nothing. What a proof is this that He was divinely superior to all circumstances!” (p.100).

Jesus, our Saviour, thirsts on the Cross to fulfil his role as the promised Messiah. He is obedient to His Father and to Scripture, to the drink the cup of wrath that we deserve. And though he thirsts on the Cross, he offers us “living water”. We need never thirst again.

These words from John 4 bring us this assurance: Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” This the power of Christ’s death for us!

See you for #6, Christ’s words from John 19:30: “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Please also enjoy this beautiful modern Easter Hymn (2005) written by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

This series draws on the structure and ideas in “The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross” by Arthur W. Pink, 1984, Baker Book House. Direct quotations are indicated. AI was NOT used in the creation of this Blog post.

Main image credit: https://resurrectionopc.org/i-thirst/

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4/7: Anguish (The Significance of Jesus’ Final Words on the Cross)

IV. Words of Anguish

Matthew 27: 45-46
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Why have you forsaken me?
Most of us find this anguished, questioning cry to be the most shocking and confusing of the words uttered by Christ on the Cross. We can understand His words of compassion and forgiveness. But what are we to make of Christ asking why the Father has left him? How could Jesus feel or be abandoned, forsaken, by his loving Father God?

This is an incredibly confronting idea. The Lord God had never forsaken His people. Throughout history, He rescued them again and again. When the people cried out, He listened and acted. He was their Rock and Refuge in every trial. “Jesus’ cry startles and staggers us. Of old (King) David said, ‘I have never seen the righteous forsaken,’ but here we behold the Righteous One forsaken” (Pink, p.74).

Though Jesus had existed in perfect communion with the Father and Spirit from eternity, here he suffers painful, undeserved separation and shame. “The hiding of the Father’s face from Him was the most bitter ingredient of that cup the Father had given the redeemer to drink” (p.73). The separation of Jesus from His Father due to our sin is indeed the point. These anguished words point to the enormity of the weight of sin transferred to his shoulders, sin which separates him from the Father.

Pink points out that no other historical judgement poured out against sin compares to this moment on Calvary hill. It is the ultimate “demonstration of God’s inflexible justice and ineffable holiness, of His infinite hatred of sin . . . [which] flamed against His own Son on the Cross. Because he was enduring sin’s terrific judgement, He was forsaken of God. . . God’s holy character could not do less than judge sin even though it be found on Christ himself” (p.80).

This is the whole message of the Gospel and the reason for our hope: Christ died for sinners! He saved us! As Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole” (or tree). The death of Christ was the death of a curse, the curse of alienation from God. In these words of anguish, Jesus feels the weight of this alienation: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?“

As we leave this scene, we shouldn’t forget that it is the love of the Father which drives this great sacrifice of his Son. As he hands Jesus over to be punished for our sin, there is nothing but love as the motivation. Christ is forsaken so that we are not.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”  (1 John 3:1). Stuart Townend sums this up so well in the song below, “How deep the Father’s love” (1995). I’ll leave you to spend some time contemplating the lyrics.

How deep the Father’s love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life – I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart – His wounds have paid my ransom.

You can read more about this song and the lyrics in this previous post: “Why should I gain from his reward?”

Blessings, and see you for #5.

How Deep The Father’s Love: Artist: Celtic Worship // Writer: Stuart Townend © 1995 Thankyou Music.

This series draws on the structure and ideas in “The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross” by Arthur W. Pink, 1984, Baker Book House. Direct quotations are indicated. AI was NOT used in the creation of this Blog post.

Main picture Credit: https://www.deviantart.com/muhammadriza/art/Eli-Eli-Lama-Sabachthani-411714602

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3/7: Affection (The Significance of Jesus’ Final Words on the Cross)

If you have just joined me for this series exploring Jesus’  final words on the Cross, please see also my previous two daily posts. This series combines key ideas from Arthur W. Pink’s “The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross” with my own observations and highlights.

Jesus’ first two phrases focus on forgiveness (for those who know not what they do) and then salvation (for the repentant thief on the cross, who would certainly share paradise with Jesus). We looked at Christ as our substitute, who dies in our place – who rescues repentant sinners to forgiveness and eternal life.

III. Words of Affection

The third set of words Jesus utters is recorded in John 19:26-27. They are a compassionate request of two people who stand by the Cross, a request which ensures their relationship and care into the future. These two are Mary (his mother) and John, the disciple. In Christ’s most dire moment, his focus includes providing for the earthly needs of those he loves.

“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.”

This request (and the response noted) reveals the heart and faithfulness of all three involved. There is much to unpack, but I will focus on just a few points.

  1. Jesus honouring his parent
    Amidst the sufferings of the Cross, Christ thinks of the woman who loved him best, whom he loved. “This is one of the greatest wonders of His person – the blending of the most perfect human affection with His divine glory” (Pink, p.68). He knows Mary is a widow in need of provision and home. He sees her present and future needs and commits her to his most trustworthy and dear friend, John. Here, Jesus is the perfect man giving the perfect example of the care that we are all to show our parents, especially in their later years. The command to “Honour thy parents” is vividly portrayed in Christ’s last words of care for his mother. Pink sees this as a stark reminder of the fifth commandment, embedded in the sufferings of Christ. He says that to honour our parents with care, attention, provision and love is a “sacred duty” which Christ displays from the Cross.

  2. Mary needed a Saviour and stood by him
    The Mary of the Bible is not the revered “Mother of God” who is put on a pedestal. In fact, never once in the Bible is it recorded that Jesus called her ‘mother’. So to address her here as ‘woman’ is not a demeaning statement, but it is to remind us that she is a member of a fallen race, a woman in need of a Saviour. She has faith in her Son as Saviour and understands (probably) better than the disciples that he must die to deal with our sin debt. “Before the birth of Christ, she declared ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in my Saviour‘ (Luke 1:46-47) . . . And now at the death of the Lord Jesus she is found at the Cross” (p.67). Pink also reminds us of the courage and strength Mary shows in this moment, to stand for the full day and watch her Son endure the agony of the cross – and breathe his last. “Who can measure those hours of suffering as the sword was slowly drawn through Mary’s soul? (See Luke 2:35) . . . She suffered in unbroken silence . . . in profound desolation of spirit” (p.57). Yet John was by her side.

  3. What better choice than John?
    Of all the disciples, the one who returned to the cross was John, the disciple ‘whom Jesus loved‘. Clearly there was a great level of affection and friendship between them, so it was natural that after the other disciples fled in fear, John was the one who would return. Perhaps he understood the Saviour almost as well as Mary, so it was a fitting choice to hand them into each other’s care. There was “none so well suited to take care of Mary, none whose company she would find so congenial, and . . . none whose fellowship John would more enjoy” (p.65). Pink further explains why leaving John in the care of Mary who knew him best was so wise. He points out “that a wondrous and honorous work was waiting for John. Years later the Lord Jesus was to reveal himself to this apostle in glorious apocalypse” (referencing the visions of Revelation) . . . How better then could he equip himself than being constantly with her” (Mary), who knew Jesus so intimately for 30 years?

Join me for 4/7 next time, the words of Christ in Matthew 27:46. Blessings!

This series draws on the structure and ideas in “The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross” by Arthur W. Pink, 1984, Baker Book House. Direct quotations are indicated. AI was NOT used in the creation of this Blog post.

 

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2/7: Salvation (The Significance of Jesus’ Final Words on the Cross)

II. Words of Salvation

Yesterday we looked at Jesus’ words of forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Today we continue with Luke 23:42-43, where Jesus offers words of salvation: 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Read full chapter) Here are some key things to understand about Jesus’ response to one of the criminals beside him – the one who realised this Jesus, who had done no wrong, was truly the Saviour King he desperately needed.

1. Substitution:
When we imagine this moment, with all its injustice and brutality, we must remember that the the logistics of Calvary Hill did not take God by surprise. It was no accident that Jesus was placed between two thieves. Pink suggests that He was crucified with these criminals to “fully demonstrate the unfathomable depths of shame into which he had descended . . . the Saviour [was] numbered with the transgressors to show us the position he occupied as our substitute” (p.34). This takes us to the heart of Christ’s purpose. He came to save us by dying in our place. R.C Sproul’s explanation of “substitution” is helpful here: “When we look at the biblical depiction of sin as a crime, we see that Jesus acts as the Substitute, taking our place at the bar of God’s justice. For this reason, we sometimes speak of Jesus’ work on the cross as the substitutionary atonement of Christ, which means that when He offered an atonement, it was not to satisfy God’s justice for His own sins, but for the sins of others.”

2. Differing responses to Christ:
“In those three crosses and the ones who hung upon them we . . . have a vivid and concrete representation of the drama of salvation and man’s response” (Pink, p.35). Both men who hung with Christ were equally “near” Christ; they heard everything that took place in those six hours on the cross, yet they respond differently. One heart is hardened and one is melted; one refuses to repent and one, believing, finds mercy and life eternal.

There is no logical explanation for the sudden repentance and faith of the one thief. He has not yet seen all the supernatural events of the day (the triumphant cry, the hours of darkness, the quaking of the rocks, the rending of the temple veil, to name a few) and yet he believes. Clearly his faith is mercifully God-given. Though he initially mocked Jesus with the other thief, soldiers, and the crowd, when he reaches the end of himself, he turns to Christ. He rebukes his companion, saying Jesus had done nothing wrong. “Thus by a single stroke he cuts himself off from the favour of his companion and the crowd as well” (Pink, p.47). With his words he ultimately condemns the whole Jewish nation. This is a courageous faith.

3. Salvation won:
Jesus responds to assure the repentant thief that he will certainly share the joys of paradise with Him – today! Some question the genuineness of this thief’s repentance (and discuss the tricky logistics of how they would be in paradise together “today”). Even Pink wonders on this point: “How comes it that this babe in Christ made such amazing progress in the school of God? It can only be accounted by divine influence” (p.49). The thief’s request indicates a genuine confession where he acknowledges Jesus as King, as Saviour, and looks forward to the Second Coming, “remember me when you come into your kingdom.“ Though he has done no good works, or studied the word, his faith in Christ is rewarded with the unshakable certainty of a place in heaven. What immense hope and forgiveness this thief would have experienced in his final moments – knowing that His Saviour would be by his side, forever.

Join me for Day 3 tomorrow: Words of Affection. (John 19:25-27)
Bless!

(Here is a song to help you focus on the hope and the certainty of our Salvation through Christ.)

(This series draws on the structure and ideas in “The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross” by Arthur W. Pink, 1984, Baker Book House. Direct quotations are indicated. AI was NOT used in the creation of this Blog post.)

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What are we waiting for? (For King and Country)

I’m enjoying the new album from For King and Country! This Youtube clip is from a few days ago. 40 minutes of time well spent. The messages of their songs are quite beautiful!

From the clip details:

We’re bringing our brand new album straight to your living room! Join us for ‘WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?’ THE WORLDWIDE SPECIAL: a global streaming event from the Mojave desert🏜🎶 in partnership with Convoy of Hope benefiting Ukrainian refugees.

Donate to support Ukrainian refugees by visiting: convoy.org/forUKRAINE or text to give “forUKRAINE” to 68828 Stream/download WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?: https://forkingandcountry.lnk.to/what…

https://www.pinterest.com.au/jeyanayagam/
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Love Me Like I Am (King and Country)

LYRICS (excerpt)

I am a little unstable

Loose wires always getting tangled now

I am a little bit difficult I can be a little self-critical now

I am a little unable

To put all my cards on the table now

But somehow

You’re still with me

It’s amazing that

You can Love me like I am

And even when I can’t

You still love me as I am

Oh, I don’t know how You do it

And I know I put You through it

It’s amazing that You can

Love me like I Love me like I am,

ooh You love me like I am

Gray Havens: Tread the Dawn
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Gray Havens: Tread the Dawn

Greetings all, just quickly want to share an album I’m now playing on repeat. It is based on CS Lewis’ writings, with overtones of Narnia! There is so much to explore. Enjoy!

https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Grey_Havens

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20 Quotes from John Piper on the Coronavirus

Last year John Piper penned a great little book at the start of the pandemic, and 12 months later his words still ring true:

“The coronavirus is God’s thunderclap call for all of us to repent and realign our lives with the infinite worth of Christ.” (77)

“Disasters are a gracious summons from God to repent and be saved while there is still time. . . . I think that’s God’s message for the world in this coronavirus outbreak. He is calling the world to repentance while there’s still time.” (79–80)

“What God is doing in the coronavirus is showing us—graphically, painfully—that nothing in this world gives the security and satisfaction that we find in the infinite greatness and worth of Jesus. This global pandemic takes away our freedom of movement, our business activity, and our face-to-face relations. It takes away our security and our comfort. And, in the end, it may take away our lives. The reason God exposes us to such losses is to rouse us to rely on Christ. Or to put it another way, the reason he makes calamity the occasion for offering Christ to the world is that the supreme, all-satisfying greatness of Christ shines more brightly when Christ sustains joy in suffering.” (82)

The quotations above are courtesy of a Gospel coalition post (link below). But don’t forget you can access Piper’s books as PDFs anytime. Follow the link https://www.desiringgod.org/books/coronavirus-and-christ. It is worth reading for yourself. Blessings!

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/20-quotes-coronavirus/

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Messiah – the long-awaited precious promise

Ready for your new favourite Christmas song? Here it is.

From the album, This Christmas, by Francesca Battistelli (2020)

Lyrics:

Long awaited precious promise
Son of God and son of man
Heaven’s glory in a manger
Has come to us in Bethlehem

Messiah
Messiah
A baby born to save us all
Messiah
Messiah
On our knees we fall

All we longed for, all we needed
Shining in this child’s eyes
Hope forever, death defeated
Because of this one holy night

O come let us adore him
O come let us adore…

Almost Home – Mercy Me
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Almost Home – Mercy Me

1“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4And you know the way to where I am going.” (John 14:1-4)

This song from Mercy Me is a great encouragement in the midst of the weariness and challenges which 2020 has brought us. The film clip is also quite a unique and creative one! I trust you find these words from the bridge an especially beautiful glimpse of the joy of heaven to come.

“I know that the cross has brought heaven to us
But make no mistake there’s still more to come
When our flesh and our bone are no longer between
Where we are right now and where we’re meant to be
When all that’s been lost has been made whole again
When these tears and this pain no longer exist. . .”

Are you disappointed
Are you desperate for help
You know what it’s like to be tired
And only a shell of yourself

Well you start to believe
You don’t have what it takes
‘Cause it’s all you can do
Just to move much less finish the race
But don’t forget what lies ahead

Almost home
Brother it won’t be long
Soon all your burdens will be gone
With all your strength
Sister run wild, run free
Hold up your head
Keep pressing on
We are almost home

Well this road will be hard
But we win in the end
Simply because of Jesus in us
It’s not if but when
So take joy in the journey
Even when it feels long
Oh find strength in each step
Knowing heaven is cheering you on

We are almost home
Brother it won’t be long
Soon all your burdens will be gone
With all your strength
Sister run wild, run free
Hold up your head
Keep pressing on
We are almost home
Almost home
Almost home

I know that the cross has brought heaven to us
But make no mistake there’s still more to come
When our flesh and our bone are no longer between
Where we are right now and where we’re meant to be
When all that’s been lost has been made whole again
When these tears and this pain no longer exist
No more walking we’re running as fast as we can
Consider this our second wind

Almost home
Brother it won’t be long
Soon all your burdens will be gone
With all your strength
Sister run wild, run free
Hold up your head
Keep pressing on
We are almost home
Almost home
Almost home
We are almost home
Almost home
Almost home
We are almost home

Songwriters: Benjamin Glover / Nathan Cochran / Bart Millard / Barry Graul / Mike Scheuchzer / Robby ShafferAlmost Home lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group