Seven Words Of Calvary

It seems that the only time we hear a message about Calvary is around Easter.

Have we limited the number of times we can preach a message on Calvary, in fear of sounding repetitious?

I believe that Calvary should be preached all the time.

Charles Spurgen once said, “No matter were you start a message, make sure you always end up at the cross.”

William R. Newell pinned these words of a great old song:

Years I spent in vanity and pride,

Caring not my Lord was crucified,

Knowing not it wad for me He died on Calvary.

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty At Calvary.

The justice of God was satisfied at Calvary when Christ paid the penalty for our sins on the Cross.

The mercy of God was satisfied at Calvary because we did not have to suffer the penalty of sin, a penalty we so richly deserved.

Jesus spoke seven statements from the Cross-, each statement showing a different aspect of Calvary’s function.

The first three statements (which we call "words") were spoken before Jesus entered the court of God:

1. Word of Forgiveness

Luke 23:34

Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.

These words ring true today, “for they do not know what they do”, the world does not understand Calvary! The world goes on living in its sin and mocking God.

No matter how bad of a sin you have committed God will forgive. Even crucifying His son.

2. Word of Promise

Luke 23:43

And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

This act of forgiveness was not limited to the thief on the cross, but is extended to all who will call upon the Lord.

Jesus Christ himself has assured us that if we repent and ask for forgiveness, we will receive eternal life.

3. Word of Care

John 19:26-27 "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."

With these three words Jesus saw that all His earthly responsibilities were cared for, offered forgiveness to those who did not deserve such forgiveness, and welcomed a new convert into the Kingdom of God.

4. Word of Loneliness

Matthew 27:46 "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?"

In Christ’s fourth word He entered the courtroom of God. Jesus usually addressed the head of the Trinity as "Father", but He now calls Him "God", a judicial title rather than the familial one.

5. Word of Suffering

John 19:28 "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst."

In Christ’s fifth word He gives evidence of His suffering in the flesh of His humanity. Between the word of loneliness and the word of suffering Jesus paid the price for our sins. The punishment was so complete a retributive that the earth was darkened during that time, a period of about three hours (Luke 23.44).

6. Word of Triumph

John 19:30 "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."

There is nothing that you or me can do to get to heaven. There are not enough books in the world to give away. There are not enough doors in the world to knock on. There are not enough starving people in the world to rescue. We can only get to Heaven by the grace of God through the sacrifice that his son gave on Calvary. It is finished

7. Word of Trust

Luke 23:46 "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."

In the last two words Jesus uttered we see Him emerge from the courtroom of God, not a defeated man, but triumphant as our Savior. When He said, "It is finished", He declared that the work was acceptable to God that we need not fear our eternal status because Jesus finished the work for us. Having finished the work Jesus commended His earthly life to God. Not forever, as Buddha and Mohammed did, but for but three days. But that is another doctrine.