“Three Statements from Jesus” Text: Luke 23: 32-37
32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” 36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
Mankind couldn’t understand that Jesus was making a way for soul salvation! Because of Jesus’ submissive heart and attitude toward His own pain and the love for all mankind He became qualified to speak “Why hath thou forsaken me,” “Father, into Your hands I commit my Spirit,” “It is finished!” These words can become our source of strength when we understand their full meaning!
Jesus made three important statements while suffering on the cross. While hanging suspended between heaven and earth, Jesus cried, “Father why have You forsaken Me.”
Pain, tribulation and feelings of being left alone will rattle your flesh, and it did Jesus! But the Apostle Paul places Jesus’ suffering in perspective when he wrote II Cor. 5:21 He who knew no sin became sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God.
The sinless, spotless but loving savior of the world had to be forsaken!
Secondly, I’m reminded of the next statement Jesus spoke from the cross. He said, “Father into Your hands I commit My Spirit.”
Because of Jesus’ willingness to pay such a high price we in return now have the very presence of God living and abiding within us. That’s why we can apply I. Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you. Psalm 55:22 Cast all your burdens on the Lord and He will sustain you for He’s never seen His righteous moved!
Thirdly, We can read where Jesus said those final words that could have at least a two-fold meaning, “It is finished!”
1. The sin debt has been paid in full. 2. The sacrifice is perfect and complete! 3. Life as I know it now is over, and now I can really live!
But wait; before Jesus said those finale last words, before the veil of the temple was torn from top to bottom, before the earth quaked- Jesus heard the thieves on the cross. One cursing Him, but the other just said to Jesus, “ Jesus remember me!” Jesus told him, "today you will be with Me in heaven!"
Today you might be asking:Why? I Commit! It’s finished!
The Bible say’s, “ Col. 1:27 That God willed for every Gentile that Christ would live within them and be their hope of glory.” I Cor. 6:19 tells us that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit! (Praise be to God!)
As the two Mary’s look into the tomb where Jesus was buried and saw that it was empty. The two of them turn around only to hear an angel sitting on the rock that sealed the tomb of Christ.
The angel said, “ Why do you look among the dead for the living. He’s not here He is risen!”
The joy of Christ Jesus doing something for us that we sure didn’t deserve is amazing!
Let’s say those words from the depth of our heart three times “ He is risen, He is risen, He is risen!”
Prayer
