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Seven Words, pt 1

As the soldiers led Jesus away, he carried his own cross - until he could handle it no more.  Then they put it on another, Simon from Cyrene.  They laid the cross down and stretched Jesus' body across with arms stretched out wide.  They nailed the joint between the wrist and the hands - the pain must have been excruciating.  They nailed the joint between the ankles and feet, again with excruciating pain.  The place is called Golgotha,  the place of skulls.  Two others, robbers, are crucified alongside of him, and the witnesses include Soldiers, Jewish authorities, and his disciples.

John 19:17-22 (NIV)
17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).
18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
19 Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.
21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."
22 Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."


It was 9:00 in the morning.
Mark 15:25 (NIV)
It was the third hour when they crucified him.

The crowds that gathered around were still challenging Jesus' role as Messiah...they taunted and dared him to be the Hero they assumed the Messiah would be.
Matthew 27:39-43 (NIV)
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.'"

A few feet off the ground, Jesus' time on the cross would last six hours.  During that time he spoke Seven words, or phrases, all which reflect both his servant role, and his purpose in going to this death.

First:  Luke 23:34 (NIV) 
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Did Jesus say the words because of the soldiers action?  Or was he speaking in general of all that was occurring?  In some sense, maybe both.  But it speaks of his love, his graciousness, his mercy, and his understanding of what sin does to the humanity made in his image.

Second:  Luke 23:43 (NIV) 
Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
The other two cross bearers were suffering in their own way; but one wanted Jesus to do what the crowd jeered him for - do something IF you're the Messiah!  The other responded with a rebuke, saying they deserved this, and then turning his eyes to Jesus made a simple request:  "Remember me"...  It's words we all can say - we deserve our punishments for our sins - Lord, please remember me...  Jesus' response reminds me of God's grace, his love, his mercy...all which I need in abundance!

Third:  John 19:26-27 (NIV) 
26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son,"
27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. Jesus is still very aware of his surroundings, and in looking down at Mary he speaks to his disciple John to take care of her.  

It was Mary who held Jesus first in her arms.
It was Mary who saw him grow up, learn, amaze her and Joseph, and then after Joseph's death, watch him grow into this Man of God.
It was Mary who was confused as Jesus began his preaching...saying to all, "The Kingdom of God is at hand".
It was Mary who tried to get Jesus to stop - taking Jesus' siblings along with him only to have Jesus rebuke their efforts:  "Who are my mother and my brothers, but those who follow me and do the Father's will."
It was Mary who grew to understand how uniquely different Jesus was - and what his purpose was in being here on the earth.

And so, she watched him on the cross dying for her sins also...

Peace

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