Seven Words Of Jesus Series

THE SEVENFOLD MINISTRIES OF THE CROSS

Introduction:

We traditionally meditate the seven last words of Jesus from the cross on every Good Friday.  This Friday is not the dark day of the history of humanity but the day of redemption, day of victory, day of hope to the lost humanity.

It is an attempt to interpret and apply the seven sentences of Jesus Christ from the Cross with Ministries of the Church from the sevenfold ministries of the Holy Spirit. The church involved in the ministry of forgiveness to all, Evangelising even the dying, ministry of caring the aged, widows, fatherless and orphans, ministry of consolation to grieving people, ministry of feeding the needy for food, water and other basic needs with social concerns, faithful to the given task till the end even through sufferings, and ministry of sacrifice, and giving up all that we own for the benefits of the society and the future generations.

The Gospel writer Luke records three, Mathew and Mark only one and John records two.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34

“Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43

“Woman, behold thy Son.” — John 19:26

“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” — Mark 15:34

“I thirst.” — John 19:28

“It is finished.” — John 19:30

“Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” — Luke 23:46

Meditating on these seven words reminds of the world scenario today, people who suffer injustice, thirst and isolation, and death. These sayings are words of Forgiveness, Salvation, Relationship, Abandonment, Distress, Triumph and reunion.

The seven fold ministries of the Holy Spirit are He Teaches (John 14:26), He convicts (John 16:8-11), He guides (John 16:11), He intercedes (Romans 8:26-27), He empowers (Acts 1:8), He bears witness (John 15:26), and He quickens (John 6:63). These are reflected on the sentences Jesus made from the Cross.

Jesus was tortured, ridiculed, and betrayed by the Jews. Jesus hung, stripped of his garments, on the cross between two criminals. The seven last phrases are the outcome of the six hours of hanging on the cross.

The seven words are categorised as the first three were said for others, fourth to God and the last three were for himself. There are three prayers, two hopes, one longing and one victorious tone.

“FATHER, FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.” — LUKE 23:34:

The forgiveness is an outcome of Love. The Love is the overall expression of the Cross of Christ. His unmeasurable love is understood with an act of demonstration and prayer for forgiveness. He was the first person on the earth to forgive his enemies, compassionate with his forsaken friends and ungrateful beneficiaries.

We may try to cover up, forgive, not to expose if something is done by our own beloved children, spouse, friends and relatives. But we will expose to the world the sins of the enemies to spoil their name.

Love covers all sins (Proverbs 17:9 “Whoever covers offences seeks love...” Proverbs 10:12 “… love covers all offences.” James 5:20 “Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (ESV).)

“TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.” — LUKE 23:43.

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Or “Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.” This verse is understood in two ways: “Truly I tell you today, Or Truly I tell you, today…” based on the interpretation the soul enters directly to the Paradise or waits till the resurrection day. Our concern is not whether the soul will enter into heaven at the end of the judgement or right after the death but leading the dying soul to Christ.

But our concentration here is that evangelism can be done even at the death bed to a dying person. Jesus was bleeding and dying yet he assured that the robber would enter into heaven. It conveys that at any stage of life anyone can receive salvation. It highlights the transformative power of repentance and belief, even in the final moments of life.

"Paradise" refers to the dwelling place of the righteous in the afterlife, often understood in Christian theology as a state of bliss, communion with God, and eternal happiness.

“WOMAN, BEHOLD THY SON. JOHN, BEHOLD THY MOTHER” — JOHN 19:26.

Jesus Christ forms a new entity of caring and loving community. According to the age and gender each one has to play the role of a brother, sister, father and mother, son, and daughter. The houses can be turned into hostels, if love is absent. A hostel can be turned into a house if love is present.