The Cross

The Gospels record that during the six hours Jesus Christ was hanging on the cross He made seven different statements. These statements are of tremendous significance because they are the last words of Jesus before His death. They demonstrate that Jesus was consistent in His life, and in His message, until the very end. 

1. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 24:34).

2. “Today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).

3. “Woman, behold your Son” (John 19:26).

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

5. “I thirst” (John 19:28).

6. “It is finished” (John 19:30).

7. “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke :46).

The seven statements Jesus made from the cross have far-reaching significance for us today. They once again remind us that His death, besides being a fact of history, was much more than that. It was the supreme sacrifice that secured our salvation. His final words show us that we can have the utmost confidence in Him as our Savior.

The first statement was consistent with Jesus’ entire life—He always thought about others. He asked the Father to forgive the sin of those who crucified Him.

The second statement also shows concern for others. He told a criminal that he would be with Him in paradise.

The third statement is another example of Jesus thinking about others. He entrusted His mother to John. In doing so, Jesus obeyed the Law of Moses until the end.

The fourth statement was recognition that He was forsaken by the Father when the penalty of the sins of the world was placed upon Him. Our sins could now be forgiven because Jesus took the penalty on Himself.

The fifth statement makes us again aware of the human Jesus—He was thirsty. The pain and torment of the cross was not lessened.

The sixth statement was one of victory—Jesus’ mission had been finished! Salvation from sin had now been accomplished, the works of the devil had now been destroyed, and Jesus’ own suffering was now over.

The last statement allowed His spirit to return to the Father. Jesus willingly gave up His life.

These seven statements are an important reminder of Jesus’ Person as well as His mission. He accomplished all that He set out to do and He did it for us.

©2023 Blue Letter Bible | Don Stewart :: What Was the Chronology of the Events Surrounding the Death of Christ?

The Cross

³² As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. ³³ They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). ³⁴ There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. ³⁵ When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ³⁶ And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. ³⁷ Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

³⁸ Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁹ Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads ⁴⁰ and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” ⁴¹ In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. Matthew 27:32-56