Time to celebrate greatest moment in history

This is the week where we celebrate, reflect, and remember the greatest moment in history when Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead. Here are the last words recorded on the cross from Scripture.

1. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34 Jesus is in complete pain, blood running all over his body, his back ripped open, and he utters the words of forgiveness. If you have not received his forgiveness, do not put it off. Second, if Jesus has forgiven you, choose to forgive anyone who offends or has offended you.

2. “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43 Jesus told a thief on the cross that he would be in paradise. The man had not been baptized or got “cleaned up,” but he was able to be in paradise with the Lord Jesus. You can’t do any work to get to heaven as everyone is sinful. The only way to get to heaven is by trusting Jesus Christ.

3. “Woman, behold thy Son.” — John 19:26 A lot of people read this and instantly think of Mary, but you miss the other point. Jesus was Mary’s son or he was born of a virgin. The virgin birth is truly a miracle that only God can do and separates Jesus from all.

4. “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” — Mark 15:34 Jesus quotes Psalm 22 and in it you see the agony of Jesus. His passion or pain was so great on the cross.

5. “I thirst.” — John 19:28 Right before he said this, John shares that Jesus knew all had been accomplished. I think it meant he was thirsty or desired for us to see, understand and grasp the moment of the cross.

6. “It is finished.” — John 19:30 This is one of my favorite sayings of Jesus. It means that he had done everything he could to satisfy God’s wrath and pay for our sins. We should accept it and stop trying to add anything to the cross. In Christ, you are complete (if you have accepted Jesus Christ).

7. “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” — Luke 23:46 Jesus was fully God, but also fully man and here we see him committing himself to God and then he died.

Take a moment and ask yourself what these words mean to you. Make sure you find a Good Friday service (First Baptist’s is at 7 p.m.) today and you attend church Sunday! After dying on the cross Jesus Christ rose from the dead beating death.

I will leave you with the incredible summary by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-7: 1 Corinthians 15:1-7 1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

If you have a question you would like answered for future columns email mathewvroman@gmail.com