"7 Last Sayings (of Jesus on the Cross)" 7-Day Easter Devotional

By. Breanna Dickerson, F.L.O.G.I.C

Introduction

Hello F.L.O.G.I.C Friends! We have something special for you this season. In preparation for Resurrection Sunday, join us in reading our "7 Last Sayings (of Jesus on the Cross)" 7-Day Easter Devotional. Over the course of seven days we will explore Jesus' last sayings on the Cross, and what they mean for us believers. Romans 5:8 tells us that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus displayed his unconditional, sacrificial love for us by dying on the Cross for us when we were sinners, undeserving of such a selfless act. Try to envision what it was like for Jesus at that time. As you read through each scripture, take the time to reflect on the Word of God, and hear what the Lord is saying. We hope that this devotional aids you in preparing your heart for Resurrection Sunday, and for displaying gratitude for his redemptive work that allows us to walk in victory. Now, don't read this devotional alone. Share it with your friends and family. Invite them to join you. Then celebrate with a culminating feast knowing that "it is finished."

Day 1

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" - Matthew 27:46

Today's scripture comes at a time when Jesus was on the Cross, ready for the redemptive work of dying just for us. We must be clear in our understanding that his life was sacrificed and not taken. He rhetorically asks God the question, "why have you forsaken me?" acknowledging that the time had come for him to give his life up for us. God is always in control, and Jesus' sacrificial death was always part of the plan. John 10:17-18 says, "Therefore does My Father love Me, because I lay down My Life, that I might take again. No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again. This Commandment I have received of My Father." These scriptures show us quite a few things.

1. God approved, and, in fact, loved what Jesus was doing for us on the Cross.

2. Jesus was born to die. This is the premise of Incarnation.

3. His work was voluntary. We must understand Jesus did not have to do it but he did.

4. God gave Jesus a Commandment that he could have ignored, but he chose to do the will of the Lord out of obedience.

Jesus could have made his rhetorical question in Matthew 27:46 a real one. But instead, he chose to be obedient to the will of his Father. Like us, he had the power of choice. He could have attempted to be delivered from death rather than deliver us from it through His. We should always remember to be grateful for Christ's sacrifice. While we were yet sinners, the Lord laid down his life for us, and gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may be delivered from our sins. As you prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday may you be reminded of this undeserved grace, and remember to be thankful for Christ's redemptive work on the Cross.

Day 2

"Father, forgive them; for they not know what they do." - Luke 23:34

Even as the Rulers and soldiers mocked and scorned Jesus, He displayed a heart posture of forgiveness. This included Jesus going as far as praying for them as they casted lots and tore his garment. He did not repay evil with evil. Instead he asked his father to forgive them, understanding that they did not know what they were doing nor did they grasp who (and whose) they were doing it to.

The truth is, even though Jesus prayed for his accusers and attackers, it was up to them to ask for forgiveness in order to be forgiven. We, too, must realize the role we play in our own forgiveness. God is just enough to forgive us our sins if we would just ask. Throughout scripture we see God displayed as both a forgiving God, but also as one who holds those who have sinned accountable for them. When a person behaves in a way such as Jesus' adversaries did, it is imperative that they ask to be forgiven of their sins. As you prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday, ask the Father show you anywhere in your life that you have fallen short and can use forgiveness. Ask him to forgive you for those sins so that you may walk in full victory of the work that Jesus did for us on the Cross.

Day 3

"Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." - Luke 23:43

At this point, God is speaking to the penitent thief who is hanging from a cross beside Him. The thief says in the previous scripture - Luke 23:22, "Lord, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom." The Lord's response is a perfect example of the forgiving and loving God that we serve. This penitent thief instantly becomes redeemed due to his repentance. As believers we must understand how important repentance is to our lives. We should be able to look at this text and see that it is never too late to talk to God and ask him to forgive us. Even as this man hung from a cross in anticipation of his death, he experienced conversion.

Jesus told the thief, "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." And although this time in Paradise was only for a short three days, he eventually joined Jesus in Heaven along with the Old Testament Saints who were also in Paradise. Do not put any limitations on what God can do for you. The Lord will not withhold any good thing from you, and that includes granting you access to His Kingdom in exchange for your repentance. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 it says, "if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Don't think that you have gone so far away from God that you cannot be forgiven. Jesus died on the Cross for us while we were yet sinners. This lets us know that he loves us with unconditional love. We should be thankful for his sacrifice, and our willingness to repent should come from a place of gratitude, humility, and obedience. As you prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday, be sure to embrace the grace that God has given you. He loves you, and He wants you to be a part of His royal priesthood!

Day 4

"Woman, behold thy son! and Behold thy mother." - John 19:26-27

Jesus gave instructions to the Disciple John (the author of the Gospel today's scripture derives from) to look after His mother Mary, as if unto his own. Mary was also instructed to hold onto John as she would a son, and these instructions were followed and obeyed by the two of them completely. This scripture exemplifies the caring nature of God's character. He ensures that Jesus leaves that Commandment with them before He is crucified, and that they are taken care of.

I cannot speak for you, but I am just in awe of this act. Even as Jesus is already performing the work of the Lord, and dying for our sins, He is yet making ways and giving instructions in order to take care of His people. He is such a loving, kind, generous God. He does not do just the bare minimum, but He does more than enough. We can learn from this and apply it to our daily lives. May we be individuals that not only honor and obey the Commandments and will of God, but go above and beyond what is asked of us. As you prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday, I want you to think of ways you can be like Jesus, and make sure your people are taken care of.

Day 5

"I thirst." - John 19:28

At this point in the text, Jesus was in the final hours before his death. In John 19:28 he says, "I thirst." Some might say that Jesus was asking for a drink in order to prepare to let the people know that the work was finished (we will explore that scripture tomorrow). It could also be said that he was not thirsty for a physical or literal drink, but rather was thirsty to be in the presence of His Father. Either way, the religious leaders of that time gave Jesus vinegar to drink. Could you imagine how that must have been? Jesus' adversaries did not actually intend to quench Jesus' presumed or actual thirst. But what they gave him was, again, part of the plan.

As you continue reading in John 19, you will see that "they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His Mouth." This is not a random act. Hyssop was also used to apply the blood of the lamb on the Egyptian doorposts during Passover. Therefore we, yet again, see this symbol of the Humanity of Christ. This is an act of God that continues to perfect his predestined assignment for Jesus. And the Lord is ready, and so says, "I thirst."

Are you thirsty for God's presence? How have you been attempting to quench that thirst? We must thirst and hunger after the Lord. We cannot satisfy ourselves with just any "vinegar," but rather we need "hyssop" to satisfy us. As you prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday, think about what that means. How is God continuing to protect you? How is he satisfying your thirst?

Day 6

"It is finished." - John 19:30

These three words carry so much weight, and are truly foundational to our faith. We as believers must understand that Jesus completed the work on the Cross. He left nothing undone. The Cross is the object of our faith, and Christ's sacrificial love was displayed through His completed work. Anything we may ever encounter has already been covered by Jesus' death (and subsequent resurrection.)

Do you believe that it is finished? You should. And you should act accordingly. There is a level of confidence that we as believers should have knowing that Jesus paid it all. He paid our debts, sacrificed Himself for our sins, and fully finished the work He was sent to do. No matter how hard the time was leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus did not abandon his duty. He endured and persevered to the end.

As you prepare your heart for Resurrection Sunday, commit to mirroring Jesus' character, and finish the work. Whether you decide on something personal like completing your or the family's laundry or something professional like a deck or proposal you said you would hand in, be sure to finish the work and be a proper reflection of the God that we serve. After all, He finished His work no matter how difficult it may have become. And you can do (and finish) all things through Christ (who finished) who strengthens you!

Day 7

"Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." - Luke 23:46

This scripture is another example of how God is in control. Though Jesus' persecutors thought that they were, everything about Jesus' crucifixion, including this moment, is indicative that they, in fact, were not. As Jesus exclaimed these words, "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit," it was done in a full, loud voice. This further emphasizes the fact that he voluntarily gave up his life. His voice, just as his body, was strong, and he could have continued to be alive on the Cross, but God had another plan.

This scripture is one that we all should be thankful for. One would be remiss to ignore the significance of this scripture, and its impact on our lives as believers. We are able to enjoy the lives we do only because of this selfless, obedient act of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave His life up for us in obedience to His Father in order to redeem us from our sins while we were yet sinners. While we yet persecuted, mocked, and mistreated Him...

As you conclude this 7-Day devotional, I want you to think of ways that you can show your appreciation for what the Lord has done. He has been so good to us! All of us.

May this devotional be a blessing to you as you prepare for Resurrection Sunday! We are never to lose sight of the cross, which is the object of our faith. Christ's redemptive work on the Cross will always be more than enough. If He did not do another thing for any one of us, we should be grateful for the fact that He stood in our place and died for us. Each day, we need to be thankful for the Lord's grace and mercy. He has been so good to us, and he loves us with an unconditional, sacrificial love. Let that be a reminder to you as you enjoy Resurrection Sunday, and participate in celebrating our Lord and Savior - the one and only true and LIVING God.

-Breanna Dickerson, F.L.O.G.I.C