19/04/2025 by sevennotesofgrace

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/

15/04/2025 by sevennotesofgrace

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.

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

12/04/2025 by sevennotesofgrace

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: ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”⁴³Jesus 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.)

11/04/2025 by sevennotesofgrace

The Significance of Jesus’ Final Words on the Cross (1/7)

As a teacher of English literature, I often point students to explore the significance of a character’s final words, spoken when they exit a text or when the author brings the whole story-world to a conclusion. In these final words we see the essence of each character’s intentions, motives, and – well, how else can I say it – character! These words also crystallise what the author wants us to know or remember about the character, their actions and meaning.

What can we learn then from Jesus’ final words – the words of the Word of Life, the Author and perfector of our Faith? “The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross” is a book by Arthur W. Pink which has been waiting on my desk for some time. It seems like this Easter week is a perfect time to make actually reading it a priority. At the end of each chapter, I’ll offer you some insights on the significance of Jesus’ final words, which reveal his heart, mind, and purpose. Stay with me if you want to know more, but can’t see yourself reading the whole book.

Before we begin to explore Jesus’ words more deeply, let me remind you of the key facts of Jesus’ crucifixion. This summary is provided by Charles Swindoll:

Jesus of Nazareth said He would “suffer . . . be killed, and be raised up on the third day” (Matt. 16:21). Betrayed by Judas, He was seized, placed under arrest, pushed hurriedly through several trials (all of them illegal), and declared guilty . . . first of “blasphemy,” next of “treason” (Luke 22:70–23:24). Alone and forsaken, He endured the torture of scourging, the humiliation of insults and mockery, and the agony of that walk to Golgotha (Mark 15:15–22). The horrors of crucifixion followed, leaving Him suspended for six excruciating hours . . . the last three of which were spent in eerie darkness that “fell over the whole land” (Mark 15:33). By three o’clock that afternoon He uttered His final words. “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). Then . . . He died (Matt. 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30).

(NB. I also recommend Swindoll’s “The Darkness and the Dawn” as another great read for Easter. It will give you a much insight into the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life.)

Words of Forgiveness

“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34 (NIV)

These first “last” words, also translated more poetically as “they know not what they do”, are probably the most famous words associated with Jesus’ crucifixion. They sum up his compassion and humility, and emphasise just how undeserving he is of such punishment at the hands of sin-blinded humans. In this moment, Jesus is praying for his enemies, both those who are inflicting this ultimate form of Roman torture and those who have forsaken him and fled. Jesus prays for forgiveness from the Father, for all who acted in wilful ignorance. He prays for these people (people just like us) on their behalf, that the Father might forgive them.

Here are 4 most important things to know about this first phrase, when Jesus prays “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

1. A Prophecy Fulfilled: The book of Isaiah foretold that the promised Saviour would make “intercession for the transgressors”. In these complex terms we find the significance of Jesus’ gracious prayer at the time of the crucifixion. Intercession means the act of intervening or praying on behalf of others; in this case, the ‘others’ are transgressors – criminals or offenders – who break laws or moral principles. Now read Isaiah 53 again, or at least verse 12: “. . . He poured out his life unto death and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.” In the words ‘Father forgive them‘, Jesus prays for all those who have rejected and beaten him, who mocked and spat on him. He pleads for his crucifiers and asks on their behalf for forgiveness. Jesus’ prayer fulfills this role of the promised Messiah. (All of Isaiah 53 points to Jesus’ death (hundreds of years later) with pinpoint accuracy. Please spend some time there.)

2. The Blindness of the Human Heart: “They know not what they do” does not mean these people didn’t know the facts of the crucifixion and their role in it. They are fully aware of the impact of their cries to “crucify him” and how they delight in the spectacle of his mocking trial, torture, and death. But they do not know the enormity of their crime against the Son of God. It is what they are doing that they don’t know. They are rejecting the promised Saviour. Yet Pink says they should have known. “From the start of Jesus’ ministry, His was a life on which was stamped the Father’s approval: ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’.” Pink laments that this tragic rejection of Jesus continues to be repeated across time and place: “Sinner, little you know what you are doing in neglecting God’s great salvation. You little know how awful is the sin of slighting the Christ of God and spurning the invitations of his mercy” (p.26). May God reveal the truth of Christ in the lives of all who continue to deny Him.

3. Christ Identifies with His people: In asking “Father, forgive them,” Jesus reveals how much he identifies with the humans whose sin he carries. This is the only time when Jesus requests that His Father bestow forgiveness. Prior to this, Jesus himself is the one forgiving the sins of multiple people (often with simultaneous healing). To forgive sin is a divine prerogative and that is why Jesus must call on the Father instead to forgive. When Jesus is raised from earth, hanging on the Cross as the Son of Man, he has given up his divine position. He has “become” sin for us, taking our place as one of us and carrying the weight of our sin. He pleads with the Father to forgive those whose sins he has taken as his own.

4. Jesus’ Prayer is fulfilled: Jesus’ request that the Father “forgive them” is fulfilled just over a month later with the astonishing conversion of 3000 souls on the Day of Pentecost. This connection is made clear by the Apostle Peter in Acts 3: 17-20:
¹⁷“Now, fellow Israelites, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. ¹⁸But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Messiah would suffer. ¹⁹Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus.” Pink sees this as a direct and perfect fulfilment of Jesus’ prayer: “it was not Peter’s eloquence that was the cause, but the Saviour’s prayer” (p.21) which turned these once ignorant people to Him and won their salvation.

In summary, Pink says that “in praying for His enemies, not only did Christ set before us a perfect example of how we should treat those who wrong and hate us, he also taught us never to regard any as beyond the reach of prayer. If Christ prayed for His murderers, then surely we have encouragement to pray now for the very chief of sinners! Christian reader, never lose hope” (p.20).

Let’s rejoice that Jesus’ prayer continues to be answered. According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, around 2.7 million people convert to Christianity from other religions each year, which is about 7500 people per day! The Encyclopedia also notes that Christianity is “the religion with the largest net gain in population through religious conversions.” In an article about the unexpected surge of Global Christianity (2024), Frontier Partners International reports that “Christianity is not only growing in numbers but is also expanding geographically.”

Let’s continue to pray that Jesus’ prayer would be fulfilled this Easter – that forgiveness may be won and souls redeemed to new life in Him. Catch you again on Day 2. You may like to think ahead and consider the significance for yourself. Luke 23:42-43

And here is a song which I think sums up much of the compassion of the dying Saviour who seeks forgiveness for us on our behalf: “Glorious Day” by Casting Crowns:

https://youtu.be/2ntwGWzdCwc?si=8PhGFJj4cj2RKg2y

16/04/2017 by sevennotesofgrace

9 Glorious things about Jesus’ Resurrection

Sharing today a great post from Stephen Altrogge at The Blazing Center – because I couldn’t have said it better myself. The resurrection is the most significant event in history, which changed everything – and continues to change everything for individuals, families, communities, and the world as a whole. Here are 9 glorious things which the empty tomb means for us:

“The resurrection baffled everyone. When the disciples came to Jesus’ empty tomb, they couldn’t comprehend what they were seeing. They had witnessed him die, saw the spear plunge into his side, heard him cry out, “It is finished!” But they couldn’t make heads or tails of the resurrection and the vacant grave clothes and the stone that had been tossed aside. What did these things mean? John 20:9 says:

…for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

They knew Jesus was not there but they didn’t really understand what his resurrection meant. We can be just like the disciples. We know that Jesus rose from the dead but we don’t know what it means for us. . .

1. THE RESURRECTION MEANS JESUS IS ALIVE

This may sound like I’m stating the obvious but think deeply about this for a moment. Paul said that if the resurrection didn’t happen, we are most to be pitied. Everything we’ve believed and built our lives upon is a horrendous trick, a lie of demonic proportions.

But the resurrection IS true, which means that Jesus is alive, which means that everything he promised will happen. It’s not a myth, fairy tale, or children’s tale. Christ is risen from the dead and is achieving EVERYTHING he said he would.

2. THE RESURRECTION MEANS JESUS IS REIGNING

Our risen Lord is just that – Lord. He sits on the throne of heaven, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Our lives and the world may seem insanely chaotic but there is nothing outside of the sovereign rule of King Jesus.

Satan, every demon, and every nation may plot against us and the Lord, and yet Jesus responds like this:

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision (Ps 2:4).

Nothing can stop our Lord from accomplishing his good plans.

3. THE RESURRECTION TOMB MEANS A MAN SITS UPON THE THRONE

This is utterly mind boggling. The incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ mean that a man, a human, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, is seated on the throne of heaven.

God is not distant, unfeeling, and unable to sympathize. We have a king who became like us. He knows hardship, grief, sadness, and rejection. Jesus the King is high and exalted, Jesus the man draws near to the brokenhearted.

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered (Heb 5:8).

4. THE RESURRECTION MEANS THE PENALTY FOR SIN HAS BEEN PAID

The wages of sin is death. Those who love wickedness must face the just consequences of their choice. Our rightly deserved punishment is both spiritual and physical death.

When Jesus rose from the dead, it demonstrated that the penalty for sin – death – had been satisfied. Nothing else was needed, the price was paid, all had been accomplished.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote:

The Resurrection is the great announcement of the momentous fact that Christ has finished the work He came to do. He is no longer “under the law.” He is back in glory. Why? Because He has done everything that the Law could demand. Now the Law has exhausted itself upon Him, and He will die “no more.”

When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” he was not exaggerating or adding theatrics. It was a beautiful statement of objective truth.

5. THE RESURRECTION MEANS JESUS WILL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW

In the song “All Things New,” Andrew Peterson writes:

So hold on to the promise
The stories are true
That Jesus makes all things new

Jesus will come again, and when he comes he will make ALL things new. Every tear will be wiped away, sin will be eradicated, and this rickety, run-down, sin-stained world will be made new.

Thank God that this world is not our final home. Thank God our life doesn’t consist of eating, drinking, and then dying. The risen Christ will make all things new.

6. THE RESURRECTION MEANS WE WILL RECEIVE NEW BODIES

Christ is the first fruits of the harvest that is coming.

Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven (1 Co 15:49).

Right now, our bodies decay. Fall apart. Go to pieces. We afflicted with cancer, depression, Alzheimer’s, and ALS. But this won’t always be the case. Christ will return and we will receive new, resurrection bodies that don’t feel the crippling effects of sin.

That is such good news.

7. THE RESURRECTION MEANS WE HAVE A SYMPATHETIC GREAT HIGH PRIEST

The risen Jesus is our Great High Priest, taking us into the Most Holy Place, and praying on our behalf. Because he also suffered, he is able to sympathize with our weakness. He knows our frame, knows that we are dust, and strengthens us accordingly.

Jesus is near to us, helping us, praying for us. He brings our requests to God, purifying and sanctifying them. Because of our sympathetic great high priest, we can draw near with confidence.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4:15–16).

8. THE RESURRECTION MEANS WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

Now that Jesus is alive, he gives the Holy Spirit to all who believe in Him.

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which you see and hear (Acts 2:32-33)

Praise God, the Holy Spirit is no longer reserved for prophets and mighty men and women. He comes to all who believe, weak and strong, young and old, mature and immature.

Through Christ, we are brought into a relationship the triune God.

9. THE RESURRECTION MEANS WE HAVE HOPE

Though we struggle and flail and stumble now, we have hope. Though we are pressed and afflicted, we are not destroyed. Though we walk through the Valley of Death, we will fear no evil. We can let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also, the body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still, Jesus has risen from the dead.

Risen indeed!

23/05/2015 by sevennotesofgrace

Flawless . . . Clever visual clip from Mercy Me

“No matter the bumps, No matter the bruises
No matter the scars, Still the truth is
The cross has made, The cross has made you flawless
No matter the hurt, Or how deep the wound is
No matter the pain, Still the truth is
The cross has made, The cross has made you flawless”

This clip has just been released by Mercy Me, for song Flawless. Watch to the end to understand the paint…and why it has disappeared.