The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 1

The Seven Last Sayings of Christ—part 1

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

            The first saying of Christ when He is hard to understand Christ saying “forgive them” to those who had persecuted, falsely accused, and placed the sinless Christ on a cruel cross.  This was not an act merely to punish our Savior, but rather it was an unjust act of murder.  So, Christ freely forgave these men who hated him.

            Luke 23:33 states, “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Christ was crucified between two malefactors (kakourgos 2557) i.e. two criminals.  Our sinless Savior was humiliated by being placed between two criminals.  Luke 23:35, gives this vivid mental picture, “And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

            If that was not enough humiliation, Luke 23:35-37 said that “… the people stood beholding.  And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.  And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.”  It is no wonder that St John the revelator said in Revelations 5:12 “… Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

            One of the great messages left to Christian musicians by Christ when He was on the cross at Calvary was “forgive”.  Christ taught us to forgive others who have done us wrong!  Mathew 5:44 records the words of Jesus, “… Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”  Jesus did not say forgive if you feel like it, He simply said love and forgive.  You may not be able to forgive others within your own human strength, but God’s grace is sufficient enough to enable you to forgive. 

Song for the Day “Thou art Worthy” by Pauline Michael Mills