The Seven Sayings of Jesus From the Crossਨਮੂਨਾ

The Seven Sayings: An Introduction

Crucifixion was a Roman execution designed to be slow, humiliating, and excruciating. Victims were nailed through the wrists and feet, their bodies wracked with agony as they struggled to breathe. Yet, in the midst of this suffering, Jesus did not remain silent. He spoke.

The seven last sayings of Jesus on the cross are not random cries of a dying man. They are intentional, prophetic, and profoundly theological. Each statement fulfills Scripture, reveals God’s heart, and carries eternal significance. They reflect Jesus’ role as the suffering Messiah and the perfect Paschal Lamb ("Lamb of God"). These are not words of defeat, but declarations of victory, spoken at the climax of God’s redemptive plan.

Jesus’ final words, recorded across the four Gospels, were spoken amidst betrayal, mockery, and abandonment. The very people He came to save rejected Him. The crowd that had cried, "Hosanna!" on Palm Sunday now shouted, "Crucify Him!" (Matthew 27:22).

Roman soldiers cast lots for His garments (Psalm 22:18), the sky turned dark (Amos 8:9), and He bore the full weight of sin. And yet, even in suffering, He spoke words of love, mercy, and fulfillment.

Here are His final statements:

• “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) – A prayer of intercession and grace.
• “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) – A promise of salvation.
• “Woman, here is your son … Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27) – A declaration of new spiritual family.
• “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34) – A cry of fulfillment and substitution.
• “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28) – A sign of His humanity and fulfillment of prophecy.
• “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) – A statement of trust and surrender.
• “It is finished.” (John 19:30) – A victorious proclamation of completed redemption.

Each of these statements fulfills Old Testament prophecy. For example, when Jesus cries, “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” He is quoting Psalm 22:1, a Messianic psalm that describes the suffering of the righteous but ends in triumph. His words “I am thirsty” fulfill Psalm 69:21, which speaks of the suffering servant being given vinegar to drink. And “It is finished” (Greek: Τετέλεσται, Tetelestai) declares that the debt of sin had been fully paid.

The cross was not just an instrument of death — it was a throne of divine justice and mercy. Jesus' words from the cross reveal that this was not a tragic end but a triumphant fulfillment of God’s plan.

And as you will see over the next seven days, Jesus' last words reveal:

• His forgiveness ("Father, forgive them.")
• His grace ("Today you will be with Me in paradise.")
• His compassion ("Here is your mother.")
• His suffering ("My God, why have You forsaken Me?")
• His humanity ("I am thirsty.")
• His victory ("It is finished.")
• His surrender ("Into Your hands I commit My spirit.")

These words are not just historical statements; they invite us into a deeper understanding of Jesus’ mission and love.

Prayer

Jesus, Your final words on the cross reveal the depth of Your love, the weight of my sin, and the victory of Your sacrifice. As I reflect on these sayings, help me to grasp their meaning more fully. Open my heart to receive Your grace and walk in the freedom You have secured for me. May I never take the cross for granted. Amen.