the seven last words of christ in holy week

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The Seven Last Words of Christ; Holy Week; Reflections; Devotions; Devotional Guide; The Sevent Last Words of Jesus; TheSeven Last Words from the Cross

The Seven Last Words of Christ:Reflections for Holy Week

Contains three devotional series,from 2004, 2006, and 2008

by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts

Copyright 2008 by Mark D. Roberts

Note: You may download this resource at no cost, forpersonal use or for use in a Christian ministry, as long as

you are not publishing it for sale. All I ask is that you givecredit where credit is due. For all other uses, please

contact me at [email protected]. Thank you.

Note: You may also want to check out my series:

The Stations of the Cross:A Devotional Guide for Lent and

Holy Week

My Various Writings on Jesus

The Birth of Jesus: Hype or History?

Was Jesus Divine? The Early Christian Understanding

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

Was Jesus Married? A Careful Look at the Real Evidence

What Was the Message of Jesus?

How Can We Know Anything about the Real Jesus?

What Languages Did Jesus Speak and Why Does It Matter?

Recovering the Scandal of the Cross?

The Passion of the Christ: An In-Depth Review

Book --Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better

Seven Last Words of Christ in Holy Week http://www.markdroberts.com/htmfiles/resources/sevenlastwords.htm

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2008 Reflections

The First Word Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing.

The Second Word I assure you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

The Third Word Dear woman, here is your son.

The Fourth Word My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

The Fifth Word I am thirsty.

The Sixth Word It is finished.

The Seventh Word Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

The First Word: "Father, forgive them, for they dont know whatthey are doing." (Luke 23:34)

Permalink to this post / Permalink to this series

Copyright Linda Roberts, 2007.For permission to use this picture, please contact Mark D. Roberts.

Reflection

It makes sense that the first word of Jesus from the cross is a word of forgiveness. That'sthe point of the cross, after all. Jesus is dying so that we might be forgiven for our sins, sothat we might be reconciled to God for eternity.

But the forgiveness of God through Christ doesn't come only to those who don't knowwhat they are doing when they sin. In the mercy of God, we receive his forgiveness evenwhen we do what we know to be wrong. God chooses to wipe away our sins, not becausewe have some convenient excuse, and not because we have tried hard to make up for

them, but because he is a God of amazing grace, with mercies that are new everymorning.

As we read the words, "Father, forgive them," may we understand that we too areforgiven through Christ. As John writes in his first letter, "But if we confess our sins to


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him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1John 1:9). Because Christ died on the cross for us, we are cleansed from all wickedness,from every last sin. We are united with God the Father as his beloved children. We arefree to approach his throne of grace with our needs and concerns. God "has removed oursins as far from us as the east is from the west" (Ps 103:13). What great news!

Questions for Reflection

Do you really believe God has forgiven your sins? Do you take time on a regular basis toconfess your sins so that you might enjoy the freedom of forgiveness? Do you need toexperience God's forgiveness in a fresh way today?

Prayer

Gracious Lord Jesus, it's easy for me to speak of your forgiveness, even to ask for it and tothank you for it. But do I really believe I'm forgiven? Do I experience the freedom thatcomes from the assurance that you have cleansed me from my sins? Or do I live as if I'm"semi-forgiven"? Even though I've put my faith in you and confessed my sins, do I live assin still has power over me? Do I try to prove myself to you, as if I might be able to earnmore forgiveness?

Dear Lord, though I believe at one level that you have forgiven me, this amazing truthneeds to penetrate my heart in new ways. Help me to know with fresh conviction that Iam fully and finally forgiven, not because of anything I have done, but because of whatyou have done for me.

May I live today as a forgiven person, opening my heart to you, choosing not to sinbecause the power of sin has been broken by your salvation.

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, for your matchless forgiveness! Amen.

The Second Word: "I assure you, today you will be with me inparadise." (Luke 23:43)



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Reflection

As Jesus hung on the cross, he was mocked by the leaders and the soldiers. One of thecriminals being crucified with him added his own measure of scorn. But the other

crucified criminal sensed that Jesus was being treated unjustly. After speaking up forJesus, he cried out, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" (v. 42).

Jesus responded to this criminal, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise" (v.43). The wordparadise, from the Greek wordparadeisos, which meant "garden," wasused in the Greek Old Testament as a word for the Garden of Eden. In Judaism of thetime of Jesus it was associated with heaven, and also with the future when God wouldrestore all things to the perfection of the Garden. Paradise was sometimes thought to bethe place where righteous people went after death. This seems to be the way Jesus usesparadise in this passage.

Thus we have encountered one of the most astounding and encouraging verses in all ofScripture. Jesus promised that the criminal would be with him in paradise. Yet the text ofLuke gives us no reason to believe this man had been a follower of Jesus, or even abeliever in him in any well-developed sense. He might have felt sorry for his sins, but hedid not obviously repent. Rather, the criminal's cry to be remembered seems more like adesperate, last-gasp effort.

Though we should make every effort to have right theology, and though we should live ourlives each day as disciples of Jesus, in the end, our relationship with him comes down tosimple trust. "Jesus, remember me," we cry. And Jesus, embodying the mercy of God,says to us, "You will be with me in paradise." We are welcome there not because we haveright theology, and not because we are living rightly, but because God is merciful and wehave put our trust in Jesus.


Have you staked your life on Jesus? Have you put your ultimate trust in him? Do youknow that, when your time comes, you will be with him in paradise?

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, how I wonder at your grace and mercy! When we cry out to you, youhear us. When we ask you to remember us when you come into your kingdom, you offerthe promise of paradise. Your mercy, dear Lord, exceeds anything we might imagine. Itembraces us, encourages us, heals us.

O Lord, though my situation is so different from the criminal who cried out to you, I amnevertheless quite like him. Today I live, trusting you and you alone. My life, but now andin the world to come, is in your hands. And so I pray:

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom! Jesus, remember me today as Iseek to live within your kingdom! Amen.

The Third Word: Dear woman, here is your son. (John 19:26)



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Reflection

As Jesus was dying, his mother was among those who had remained with him. Most ofthe male disciples had fled, with the exception of one whom the Fourth Gospel calls "the

disciple he loved." We can't be exactly sure of the identity of this beloved disciple, thoughmany interpreters believe he is John, who is also the one behind the writing of thisGospel.

No matter who the beloved disciple was, it's clear that Jesus was forging a relationshipbetween this disciple and his mother, one in which the disciple would take care of Maryfinancially and in other ways. Jesus wanted to make sure she would be in good handsafter his death.

The presence of Mary at the cross adds both humanity and horror to the scene. We arereminded that Jesus was a real human being, a man who had once been a boy who hadonce been carried in the womb of his mother. Even as he was dying on the cross as the

Savior of the world, Jesus was also a son, a role he didn't neglect in his last moments.

When we think of the crucifixion of Jesus from the perspective of his mother, our horrorincreases dramatically. The death of a child is one of the most painful of all parentalexperiences. To watch one's beloved child experience the extreme torture of crucifixionmust have been unimaginably terrible. We're reminded of the prophecy of Simeonshortly after Jesus' birth, when he said to Mary: "And a sword will pierce your very soul"(Luke 2:35).

This scene helps us not to glorify or spiritualize the crucifixion of Jesus. He was a realman, true flesh and blood, a son of a mother, dying with unbearable agony. His sufferingwas altogether real, and he took it on for you and for me.


What does Mary's presence at the cross evoke in you? Why do you think was it necessaryfor Jesus to suffer physical pain as he died?


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Prayer

Lord Jesus, the presence of your mother at the cross engages my heart. You are no longeronly the Savior dying for the sins of the world. You are also a fully human man, a son witha mother.

O Lord, how can I begin to thank you for what you suffered? My words fall short. My

thoughts seem superficial and vague. Nevertheless, I offer my sincere gratitude for yoursuffering. Thank you for bearing my sin on the cross. I give you my praise, my love, myheart . . . all that I am, because you have given me all that you are.

All praise be to you, Lord Jesus, fully God and fully human, Savior of the world . . . mySavior! Amen.

The Fourth Word: My God, my God, why have you abandonedme? (Mark 15:34)


So-called "God's Tear" from The Passion of the Christ.

Reflection

As Jesus was dying on the cross, he echoed the beginning of Psalm 22, which reads:

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?Why are you so far away when I groan for help?

Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.

Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. (vv. 1-2)

In the words of the psalmist Jesus found a way to express the cry of his heart: Why hadGod abandoned him? Why did his Father turn his back on Jesus in his moment ofgreatest agony?


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This side of heaven, we will never fully know what Jesus was experiencing in thismoment. Was he asking this question because, in the mystery of his incarnationalsuffering, he didn't know why God had abandoned him? Or was his cry not so much aquestion as an expression of profound agony? Or was it both?

What we do know is that Jesus entered into the Hell of separation from God. The Fatherabandoned him because Jesus took upon himself the penalty for our sins. In that

excruciating moment, he experienced something far more horrible than physical pain.The beloved Son of God knew what it was like to be rejected by the Father. As we read in 2Corinthians 5:21, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we mightbecome the righteousness of God" (NIV).

I can write these words. I can say, truly, that the Father abandoned the Son for our sake,for the salvation of the world. But can I really grasp the mystery and the majesty of thistruth? Hardly. As Martin Luther once said, "God forsaking God. Who can understand it?"Yet even my miniscule grasp of this reality calls me to confession, to humility, to worship,to adoration.


Have you taken time to consider that Jesus was abandoned by the Father so that youmight not be? What does this "word" from the cross mean to you?

Prayer

O Lord Jesus, though I will never fully grasp the wonder and horror of yourabandonment by the Father, every time I read this "word," I am overwhelmed withgratitude. How can I ever thank you for what you suffered for me? What can I do but tooffer myself to you in gratitude and praise? Thank you, dear Lord, for what you suffered.Thank you for taking my place. Thank you for being forsaken by the Father so that Imight never be.

When I survey the wondrous cross,On which the Prince of glory died,My richest gain I count but loss,And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,Save in the death of Christ my God;All the vain things that charm me most,I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down;Did eer such love and sorrow meet,Or thorns compose so rich a crown.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,That were a present far too small;Love so amazing, so divine,Demands my soul, my life, my all.

"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" by Isaac Watts (1707)

The Fifth Word: I am thirsty. (John 19:28)



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Reflection

No doubt Jesus experienced extreme thirst while being crucified. He would have lost asubstantial quantity of bodily fluid, both blood and sweat, through what he had enduredeven prior to crucifixion. Thus his statement, "I am thirsty" was, on the most obviouslevel, a request for something to drink. In response the soldiers gave Jesus "sour wine" (v.29), a cheap beverage common among lower class people in the time of Jesus.

John notes that Jesus said "I am thirsty," not only as a statement of physical reality, butalso in order to fulfill the Scripture. Though there is no specific reference in the text of theGospel, it's likely that John was thinking of Psalm 69, which includes this passage:

Their insults have broken my heart,and I am in despair.

If only one person would show some pity;

if only one would turn and comfort me.But instead, they give me poison for food;they offer me sour wine for my thirst.

(vv. 20-21)

As he suffered, Jesus embodied the pain of the people of Israel, that which had beencaptured in the Psalms. Jesus was suffering for the sin of Israel, even as he was takingupon himself the sin of the world.

As I reflect on Jesus' statement, "I am thirsty," I keep thinking of my own thirst. It'snothing like that of Jesus. Rather, I am thirsty for him. My soul yearns for the livingwater that Jesus supplies (John 4:10; 7:38-39). I rejoice in the fact that he suffered

physical thirst on the cross and so much more so that my thirst for the water of lifemight be quenched.



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How do you respond to Jesus' statement "I am thirsty"? What does this statement suggestto you about Jesus? About yourself?

Prayer

O Lord, once again I thank you for what you suffered on the cross. Besides extraordinarypain, you also experienced extreme thirst. All of this was part and parcel of your takingon our humanity so that you might take away our sin.

Dear Lord, in your words "I am thirsty" I hear the cry of my own heart. I too am thirsty,Lord, not for physical drink. I don't need sour wine. Rather, I need the new wine of yourkingdom to flood my soul. I need to be refreshed by your living water. I yearn for yourSpirit to fill me once again.

I am thirsty, Lord, for you. Amen.

The Sixth Word: It is finished! (John 19:30)


Statue from The Stations of the Cross, Serra Retreat Center, Malibu, California

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I never saw a more difficult film to watch than Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ.For most of that movie I wanted to avert my eyes. It was horrible to watch even acinematic version of a crucifixion. And it was beyond comprehension to think that thisactually happened to somebody, and not just anybody, but my Lord and Savior. I hadstudied the crucifixion before, and knew in my head what Jesus experienced. But seeing avisual presentation of his suffering was almost more than I could bear. When The Passionof the Christwas over, I felt palpable relief. Thank goodness it was finished.

When Jesus said "It is finished," surely he was expressing relief that his suffering wasover. "It is finished" meant, in part, "This is finally done!" But the Greek verb translatedas "It is finished" (tetelestai) means more than just this. Eugene Peterson captures thefull sense of the verb in The Message: "It's done . . . complete." Jesus had accomplishedhis mission. He had announced and inaugurated the kingdom of God. He had revealedthe love and grace of God. And he had embodied that love and grace by dying for the sinof the world, thus opening up the way for all to live under the reign of God.

Because Jesus finished his work of salvation, you and I don't need to add to it. In fact, wecan't. He accomplished what we never could, taking our sin upon himself and giving ushis life in return. Jesus finished that for which he had been sent, and we are the

beneficiaries of his unique effort. Because of what he finished, you and I are never"finished." We have hope for this life and for the next. We know that nothing can separateus from God's love. One day what God has begun in us will also be finished, by his grace.Until that day, we live in the confidence of Jesus' cry of victory: "It is finished!"


Do you live as if Jesus finished the work of salvation? To you have confidence that Godwill finish that which he has begun in you?

Prayer

How can I ever find words to express my gratitude to you, dear Lord Jesus? You did it.You finished that for which you had been sent, faithful in life, faithful in death. Youaccomplished that which no other person could do, taking the sin of the world upon yoursinless shoulders . . . taking my sin so that I might receive your forgiveness and new life.

All praise be to you, gracious Lord, for finishing the work of salvation. All praise be toyou, dear Jesus, for saving me! Alleluia! Amen.

The Seventh Word: Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!(Luke 23:46)



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Reflection

Two of the last seven "words" of Jesus were quotations from the Psalms. Earlier Jesushad Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" to express his anguish.

Later he borrowed from Psalm 31, which comes to us from Luke as "Father, I entrust myspirit into your hands."

On an obvious level, Jesus was putting his post mortem future in the hands of hisHeavenly Father. It was as if he was saying, "Whatever happens to me after I die is yourresponsibility, Father."

But when we look carefully at the Psalm Jesus quoted, we see more than what at firstmeets our eyes. Psalm 31 begins with a cry for divine help:

O LORD, I have come to you for protection;dont let me be disgraced.Save me, for you do what is right. (v. 1)

But then it mixes asking for God's deliverance with a confession of God's strength andfaithfulness:

I entrust my spirit into your hand.Rescue me, LORD, for you are a faithful God. (v. 5)

By the end, Psalm 31 offers praise of God's salvation:

Praise the LORD,for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.He kept me safe when my city was under attack. (v. 21)

By quoting a portion of Psalm 31, therefore, Jesus not only entrusted his future to hisFather, but also implied that he would be delivered and exonerated. No, God would notdeliver him from death by crucifixion. But beyond this horrific death lay somethingmarvelous. "I entrust my spirit into your hands" points back to the familiar suffering of


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David in Psalm 31, and forward to the resurrection.


Have you put your life and, indeed, your life beyond this life, in God's hands? How do youexperience God's salvation through Christ in your life today?

Prayer

Gracious Lord, even as you once entrusted your spirit into the hands of the Father, so Igive my life to you. I trust you, and you alone to be my Savior. I submit to yoursovereignty over my life, and seek to live for your glory alone. Here I am, Lord, availableto you, both now and in the future.

How good it is to know, dear Lord, that the cross was not the end for you. As youentrusted your spirit into the Father's hands, you did so in anticipation of what was tocome. So we reflect upon your death, not in despair, but in hope. With Good Fridaybehind us, Easter Sunday is on the horizon. Amen.

2006 Reflections

The First Word Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

The Second Word Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

The Third Word Woman, here is your son.

The Fourth Word My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

The Fifth Word I am thirsty.The Sixth Word It is finished.


The First Word

Part 1 ofThe Seven Last Words of Christ for Holy Week (2006)Posted for Monday, April 10, 2006

Father,

forgivethem; for

they donot know

what theyare

doing.

Luke 23:34



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A Prayer of Reflection

O Jesus, as I reflect on this first word, I think of those who put You on that cross: Romansoldiers who were simply following orders, Jewish leaders who perceived You as a threatto their power, and most of all, Pontius Pilate, who alone had the authority to order Yourcrucifixion. None of these realized who You were. None realized what they were doing.They saw You as a pest, a threat, a rabble-rouser. You were someone they needed to get

out of the way, once and for all. Yet they had no idea what they were doing.

They had no idea that You were the Lord of Glory, the Word of God Incarnate. They hadno idea that Your creative design bound the atoms of Your cross together. They didn'tknow that You should have been lifted up, not in execution, but in praise. They didn'tknow that You had the power to snuff them out in a moment, but refrained out ofobedience to the Father. They had no idea what they were doing.

The people who crucified You had no idea, Lord Jesus, that Your death on a cross wouldbring life to the world. They had no idea that your crucifixion would soon be the center ofthe best news ever proclaimed. They didn't know that as You hung there in front of them,you were bearing, not just the sins of the world, but the sins of the very ones who stoodthere, jeering and laughing at You. And they never imagined that Your death was God'sway of saving the world, including me.

They had no idea, dear Jesus, that Your death would not be the end of your influence, butonly the beginning. They never imagined that in a few hours You would be raisedtriumphant, having defeated sin and death. They would never have believed that beforelong Your name would be proclaimed throughout the world as Lord and Savior. Thosewho crucified You would have been astounded to know that someday images of Yourcross would be found on every continent, gloriously proclaiming Your victory over thepowers of darkness.

As You prayed for their forgiveness, Jesus, those who killed you didn't realize that Youwere dying so they themselves might be forgiven. And, though I was not there on that day,

my sin helped put You on that cross. No doubt I sometimes sin in ignorance, not knowingwhat I'm doing. Yet all too often I know exactly what I'm doing, and I do it still. Howimmensely grateful I am that Your forgiveness extends, not only to those who err inignorance, but to those who knowingly sin. All praise to You, Lord Jesus, for bearing mysin upon the cross, so that I might be forgiven. What can I offer you in response but mygratitude, my worship, my love, and my life in service to you? You deserve it all, Lord, allthat I have, all that I am.

Amen.

The Second Word

Part 2 ofThe Seven Last Words of Christ for Holy Week (2006)

Posted for Tuesday, April 11, 2006


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Truly Itell you,

today youwill be

with me inParadise

.

Luke 23:43



How strange it must have seemed, Jesus, to hear these words coming from You as Youhung on the cross. It's hard to imagine a place farther from Paradise than Golgotha, abarren, rocky hillock, a home for suffering and death. What could be farther away fromthe lush garden of Paradise, an oasis of refreshment and life?

Though the gospels don't record it, I can't help but imagine the sneering laughter thatgreeted Your promise of Paradise. There You were, horrendously suffering, vulnerablynaked, helplessly dying. Yet You promised Paradise? Just who did You think You were,Jesus, to offer such hope to a dying criminal? Who gave you the keys to the Garden? Bywhat authority did you open the gates of heaven?

And what made this crucified criminal so special? Why did You promise Paradise to him?Was it his recognition of Your innocence? Or was it his urgent request, "Jesus, rememberme when you come into your kingdom"?

Nothing suggests that the man to whom You offered hope had done much to deserve Yourfavor. He hadn't followed You. He hadn't left everything behind to be Your disciple. Hewasn't suffering for the sake of righteousness, but because of his crimes. Even headmitted that he had been justly condemned! Did he know who You really were? Did heeven realize what he was asking You? I doubt it. Rather, he was merely a dying man witha desperate plea, "Jesus, remember me!"

Am I really all that different from the crucified criminal? Oh, I expect that I could run

theological circles around him. And I have sought to be Your disciple for more than fourdecades. I believe that You're the Lord and Savior. Indeed, You're my only Lord andSavior. But is this why I have the promise of being with You in Paradise? Is it mostlyabout me, Lord, or mostly about You?

Indeed, for all of my pretense, in the end I'm not much different from the one who criedout to You in desperation. I might not realize my sorry state. I might live as if I'm incontrol. But, in truth, I have nothing to offer You except my simple, childlike faith, mytrust that You can save me, my fervent hope that Your mercy outweighs my sin.

Jesus, remember me! Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!

Amen.

The Third Word

Part 3 ofThe Seven Last Words of Christ for Holy Week (2006)Posted for Wednesday, April 12, 2006


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Woman,here is

your son.

John 19:26



Jesus, here at the foot of your cross, in the midst of injustice, inhumanity, andincomprehensible brutality, is a moment of tenderness: a mother remaining near herbeloved son even when what she was seeing must have pummeled her heart withunspeakable grief . . . a son caring for his mother in his last minutes of life, making sureshe'll be in good hands after his death. The contrast between the horror of the context andthe kindness of the communication couldn't be more stark.

For years, dear Jesus, I didn't know what do with Your mother. As a good Protestant, Ikept her at a safe, respectful distance, much as I would a valuable antique that wasdangerously fragile. Mary's presence at Your cross was touching, but mostly as a way for

me to note Your care for her.

Yet now, as a parent, I find myself drawn into Mary's perspective, and this is at firsthorrendous. If I think of how I would feel watching my own son die as you died, I can'timagine a more agonizing moment. I must quickly put that thought away because it'smore than I can bear. And even if Mary somehow understood that this was part of God'splan, her anguish in watching You suffer must have been unbearable.

But she remained there with You because she loved You. And in ways I cannot fullyunderstand, Mary's love for You stirs up my passion for You. I find it natural to standback and watch Your death from a dispassionate distance, to think about what'shappening, to analyze and to examine. Partly that's my nature. And partly I'm afraid to

let my heart feel the pain of my beloved Savior's crucifixion. But Mary draws me in. Sheengages my heart. Seeing through her eyes, I realize how much I am horrorstruck bywhat You experienced on the cross, how much I am awestruck by the majesty of Yoursacrifice, and how much I love You, plain and simple.

So, my Lord, though I cannot literally come before Your cross, nevertheless I standbefore You now, utterly horrified, utterly grieved, utterly humbled, utterly grateful,utterly filled with love for You.

Amen.

The Fourth Word

Part 4 ofThe Seven Last Words of Christ for Holy Week (2006)Posted for Thursday, April 13, 2006


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My God,my God,

why have

Youforsaken

me?

Mark 15:34

So-called "God's Tear" from The Passion of the Christ.

Prayer of Reflection

Lord Jesus, there may be no other verse in all of Scripture that perplexes and moves memore than this one. By Your prayerful use of the first verse of Psalm 22, You invite us intothe Holy of holies, into the mystery of the Trinity, into the immensity of divine grace.

I used to be confused by Your use of this question. Surely, I thought, You knew theanswer. God the Father had forsaken You because You were bearing the sin of the world.That's why You were be crucified, after all. As Paul puts it, You became our sin so that wemight become Your righteousness. That's why You were forsaken, Jesus, and surely Youknew that. Right?

Or did You? How can I know what You surrendered in becoming human? How can I besure what You knew and did not know as You hung on the cross? There's no question Youknew You were doing the Father's will. Yet what else You understood at the moment, Ican't be sure. Was part of your bearing our sin taking on our ignorance of the Father?Was this part of our punishment that You took on out of love? (Forgive me, Lord, if I'mtoying with heresy here. There's so much I don't understand.)

Or was Your cry, "Why have you forsaken me?" less a question that required a theologicalanswer and more a cry of anguish, the deepest anguish of all time and history. You were,after all, the Word Incarnate, God the Son, the One who had perfect relationship with theFather. Before You took our sin upon Yourself, you'd never known what separation from

God was like. Yet on the cross, You suffered far worse than unbearable physical pain. Youreceived what sin deserves. You chose to be rejected by the Father, so that we might beaccepted.

This miracle escapes my understanding. How can God forsake God? How can the sinlessSon truly bear the sin of the world? Though I confess these to be true, I'll never fully knowwhat my confessions means, at least in this world. Yet here is the core of the gospel. Hereis the wonder of grace revealed: the sinless Son of God becoming as if He were sin, beingforsaken by the Father. All I can do is stand back and marvel, and then fall on my kneesin awestruck worship.

Dear Lord, you didn't deserve what you experienced on the cross. You didn't . . . but I did.I deserved the cross. I earned the rejection You received. But in Your unfathomable love,You took my place and gave me Your place.

All praise, glory, and honor be to You, Lamb of God. You took away the sin of the world.You took away my sin, taking it upon Yourself, and breaking its power. Hallelujah! Allpraise be to You!


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Amen.

The Fifth Word

Part 5 ofThe Seven Last Words of Christ for Holy Week (2006)Posted for Friday, April 14, 2006

I amthirsty."

John 19:28

Bernardo Strozzi, "Christ and the Samaritan Woman," c. 1600


Lord Jesus, on a literal level this request makes perfect sense. Given all You had endured,no doubt Your thirst was burning bitterly. And, as John points out in His gospel, Yourrequest enabled the fulfillment of the psalm that spoke of vinegar being offered to the onedrowning in troubles (Psalm 69).

Yet I marvel at the irony of Your asking for something to drink. After all, Your first

miracle in the Gospel of John involved turning water into wine, providing liquidrefreshment at a wedding (John 2). And then You had a conversation with a Samaritanwoman after You had asked her for a drink. You told her that You offered living waterthat quenches all thirst (John 4). Not long thereafter, You invited all who are thirsty tocome to You and drink (John 7).

Now, on the cross, You are thirsty, Lord. You who had the power to turn water into winehave chosen not to quench Your own thirst. You who offered fresh, living water chose todrink the rancid vinegar of death. You who invited the thirsty to come now suffer severedehydration.

Why?

So that, through Your deprivation, we might enjoy the new wine of the kingdom.

So that, through Your death, we might drink of eternal life.

So that, through Your thirst, our parched souls might be quenched.

Not only do You offer living water, but also the cup of the new covenant in Your blood.From this cup we drink deeply of Your forgiveness. Through this cup we are drawn intointimate, everlasting relationship with God.

Thank You, dear Jesus, for being thirsty, so that I might be satisfied. Thank You for beingempty, so that I might be filled. Thank You for dying, so that I might live through You.

Amen.

The Sixth Word



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Posted for Friday afternoon, April 14, 2006

Itis

finished."

John 19:30

Statue from The Stations of the Cross, Serra Retreat Center


I wonder, Lord Jesus, how you said these words, "It is finished."

I expect that, in part, You spoke in exhausted relief, sensing that Your body was about toexpire. Your time of torture had almost ended. In moments Your pain would be over,finished.

Yet, I expect You also spoke with the same resolution that carried You from the Garden tothe cross. You knew what the Father had called You to do, and You did it in obedience toHim. Now You had finished Your task.

But did You also realize what You had accomplished? In Your devastated physical state,even being forsaken by the Father, did You understand that You had born the guilt ofhumankind, that You had erased the stain of sin, that You had crushed the head of theSerpent? You said, not, "I am finished," but "Itis finished." It, the grand work ofredemption, the master plan established before the creation of the world, this was

completed. You, and You alone had the ability to break the power of sin, and You did it.This work, God's amazing work of salvation, was finished.

There is no way I can fully grasp what "It is finished" meant to You, Lord. But I can feelrelieved for You that Your suffering is over. And I can be astounded by Your faithfulobedience. Most of all, I can marvel with gratitude over what You did on the cross.Because You finished that work, dear Jesus, my life has begun.

Amen.

The Seventh Word


Posted for Saturday, April 15, 2006


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Father,into yourhands I

commendmyspirit."

Luke 23:46



As I reflect upon this final word of Jesus from the cross, I am struck, Gracious Father, bythe fact that this is my prayer too. To be sure, my situation is far from that of Your Son.And I'm hopeful that I still have many more days before my life's end. But, even still, atthe end of all my striving, all my thinking, all my efforts, all my attempts to figureeverything out, all my deeds, both good and bad, what do I have left but to trust You?

I think of the moving words of the hymn "Rock of Ages":

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,From Thy wounded side which flowed,Be of sin the double cure;Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my handsCan fulfill Thy laws demands;Could my zeal no respite know,Could my tears forever flow,All for sin could not atone;Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,Simply to the cross I cling;Naked, come to Thee for dress;Helpless look to Thee for grace;Foul, I to the fountain fly;Wash me, Savior, or I die.

Thou must save, dear God, and Thou alone. I have nothing to offer You but my trust inYou to save me. So, like Jesus, I commend my spirit to You today, to rely on You, tobelieve in You, to live for You, until that day when I stand before You, with nothing in myhand but the cross.

Amen.


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2004 Devotional Study

The First Word Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.

The Second Word Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

The Third Word Woman, here is your son.

The Fourth Word My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

The Fifth Word I am thirsty.

The Sixth Word It is finished.


The First WordPosted at 11:08 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2004

Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.(Luke 23:34)

How striking that the first word of Jesus from the cross is a word of forgiveness! ThePeruvian Christians who first established the order for the Seven Last Words surelyknew what they were doing.

Jesus asks his Heavenly Father to

forgive them. But whom does hemean? The immediate context doesntcompletely answer this question:When they came to the place that iscalled The Skull, they crucified Jesusthere with the criminals, one on hisright hand and one on his left. ThenJesus said, Father, forgive them . . .(Luke 23:33-34). Grammatically,them refers to the criminals, orperhaps to the Roman soldiers. Butdoes Jesus mean to include others

within them?

This is a picture of Golgotha, the hill where Jesus wascrucified. You can see why it was called "The Place of

the Skull." Picture fromwww.ebibleteacher.com.

A parallel passage in Acts, also written by Luke, helps to answer this question. Here, afterspeaking about the death of Jesus to a crowd of Jews in the temple, Peter says: And now,friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way Godfulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer(Acts 3:17-18). In other words, the rulers of the Jews including both Jewish and Romanleaders did not realize who Jesus really was. They did not intend to kill Gods Messiah.Moreover, Peter explains, what happened to Jesus was really part of Gods plan in thefirst place. This passage from Acts helps us to understand that Jesus intended for hisFather to forgive, not just the Roman soldiers, but all who participated in his crucifixion,including Pilate and Caiaphas.

Of course when we consider the whole ministry of Jesus, would we expect any less fromhim than forgiveness of those who mistreated and ultimately killed him? Isnt that what,in the end, his cross is really all about? Furthermore, if we take seriously the theologicaltruth that our own sin put Jesus on the cross every bit as much as Pilate who condemned


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him or the solidiers who actually crucified him, then we can rightly hear this prayer ofJesus as including us too.

Many English Bibles indicate that this verse does not appear in some of the oldest texts ofthe Gospel of Luke. Yet most scholars believe that these words are, nevertheless, genuinewords of Christ. Some have argued that early Christian copyists, not wanting theperpetrators of Jesus crucifixion to be forgiven, removed the verse. If this is true, its asad commentary on the inability of Christians to follow their Lord by forgiving others. Of

course whether this explanation of the textual oddity of Luke 23:34 is true or not, it issurely and sadly true that many Christians throughout the ages have been unwilling toforgive, not only the Jews who actually killed Jesus, but all Jews everywhere. Howinconsistent anti-Semitism is with the calling of Jesus to love others, even our enemies,not to mention his first word from the cross, the word of forgiveness.

As we take time this week to reflect upon the forgiveness Christ offers to each and everyone of us through his sacrifice, may we not forget the call to imitate his forgiveness in ourown lives. If Jesus was willing to forgive those who crucified him, if Jesus was willing todie for us so that we might be forgiven, then shouldnt we do as Scripture says, andforgive one another, as God in Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). Are there peoplein your life whom you need to forgive? Are you living with tense or broken relationships

because of unforgiveness? As we seek to imitate Christ, may we be like Stephen, the firstChristian martyr, whose final words before dying were, Lord, do not hold this sin againstthem (Acts 7:60).

A Suggestion for a Rich Experience of Holy Week

When I was younger, I had little appreciation for Holy Week. It was my spring break fromschool, a time to have fun, but not a time to go deeper with the Lord. As Ive grown, bothin age and in Christ, Ive learned to set aside the week before Easter as a truly holyweek. The result has been both a more vital faith in Christ and a much more joyfulcelebration of Easter.

One way to make Holy Week special is to listen to music that helps us focus on themeaning of Christs passion. Its rather like how Christmas carols enrich our celebrationof Christs birth. There is a difference, of course, in that most carols are exuberant whilemost of the music for Holy Week is somber. Nevertheless, Id urge you to take timeduring Holy Week to listen to music that will expand your experience of Christs lovingsacrifice.

During the next week Ill offer several musical recommendations. I realize that, in manycases, you wont be able to enjoy this music this year, but its well worth buying for thefuture. If you act quickly, you can order the first CD Im recommending online and haveit delivered prior to Good Friday.

The Seven Last Words of Christ (Music for the LentenSeason) features a performance in English ofLes Septparoles du Christby Thodore Dubois. This is a movingsetting of the final sayings of Jesus, with a narrator, soloist,choral ensemble, and small orchestra. This is one of myfavorite pieces of Holy Week music. I highly recommend it.

The Second WordPosted at 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 4, 2004

Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.(Luke 23:43)

Like the first word from the cross Father, forgive them the second word is alsofilled with grace. Jesus addressed this word to one of the criminals being crucified nextto him. Because this man was being crucified, and not merely executed, its likely that hewas not just a lawbreaker, but one of the robbers who plotted to rid Judea of Roman


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rule. He was more of a first-century revolutionary than a mere thief.

According to Luke, one of the rebels next to Jesus derided him. But the other saw Jesuswith clear and compassionate eyes: Do you not fear God, since you are under the samesentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we aregetting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong (Luke23:40-41). Then he turned to Jesus and said, Jesus, remember me when you come intoyour kingdom. To this man Jesus replied, Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in

Paradise (23:43).

The word paradise derives originally from Persian, where it meant garden. AmongJews, it came to refer both to the garden of Eden, the place of divine perfection, and to aregion of heaven where the righteous experience blessing after death. In a first-centuryJewish writing known as 4 Ezra, the Lord describes the future glory of Ezra and thoselike him in this way:

But think of your own case, and inquire concerning the glory of those whoare like yourself, because it is for you that paradise is opened, the tree of lifeis planted, the age to come is prepared, plenty is provided, a city is built, restis appointed, goodness is established and wisdom perfected beforehand. (4Ezra 8:51-52)

We dont know exactly what Jesus envisioned when hepromised to the criminal: Today you will be with me inParadise. But, without the slightest doubt, Paradise wouldbe an infinitely better place than Golgotha. In fact, it wouldbe the place where Gods shalom reigns, a place of beautyand peace. Picture the most gorgeous, serene place onearth, and you get a tiny peak of ultimate Paradise.

We cant be sure of most of the details concerning life afterdeath, but this much we know: it will be glorious and

gorgeous. Most importantly, we will be with Christ. He didnot promise only that the crucified man would be inParadise, but that he would be with Jesus in Paradise. Ifwe know that, beyond this life, well be with Christ, then wedont have to fret the details.

Ke'e Beach on the island ofKaua'i - about as close as youcan get to paradise on earth.

Jesus promise to the robber is troubling to those who want to limit Gods grace in someway. There is nothing in the gospels that tells us what the thief believed about Jesus. Itshighly unlikely that he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior in a manner commonamong todays Christians. His request that Jesus remember him wasnt so much aprofession of faith as a cry of desperation. Its faith the size of a mustard seed, if that. Yet

Jesus response suggests that this was enough. Im not arguing for some sort ofuniversalism here, but only pointing out the wideness of Gods mercy in Jesus responseto the thief.

As a pastor, I marvel sadly at how readily people limit Gods grace. Christians who havebeen forgiven everything can be harsh and unforgiving with others. Moreover, we areoften hardest on ourselves. Even after putting our faith in Christ and confessing our sin,we continue to condemn ourselves mercilessly. We can be our own worst judge. Howmuch we need to hear the word Jesus once spoke to a man who had no hope and noreason to expect mercy. The grace of Christ cannot be earned. Its greater than ourlimitations. Its greater than all our sin.

Music for Holy Week

You wont be able to find most of the best music for Holy Week in your local record store.But the album Im suggesting today is an exception. You can find it just abouteverywhere, even at Target, Costco, and Wal-Mart.


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John Debneys soundtrack from The Passion of the Christis aneerie, evocative collection of music from the film. It mixesworld instruments, voices, synthesizers and unusualpercussion. If youve seen thePassion, and if this movie hashelped you to grow in your devotion to Christ, then this albumwill fertilize further growth. If you havent seen the movie, thealbums haunting tones will nevertheless provide an occasionfor quiet reflection on the sacrifice of Christ. I have found

certain tracks, such as Mary Goes to Jesus, to be especiallymoving.

The Third WordPosted at 10:00 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2004

Woman, here is your son.(John 19:26)

Though most of the men who followed Jesus deserted him at the cross, his femalefollowers remained to observe his death. All four New Testament gospels mention thisstriking fact (Matt 27:55-56; Mark 15:40-41; Luke 23:49; John 19:25). John alone

specifies that Mary the mother of Jesus was among the women who remained near himuntil the end.

In the Gospel of John, Mary was standing next to the disciple whom [Jesus] loved,believed traditionally to be John, one of Jesus closest disciples and the source of thegospel that bears his name. Observing these two, Jesus said to his mother, Woman, hereis your son, and to the beloved disciple, Here is your mother (19:26-27). The writer ofthe gospel adds, And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home (19:27).The basic meaning of Jesus statement is clear. He was entrusting care of his mother toone of his most intimate friends and followers. He was making sure that she would beloved and cared for after Jesus death. Jesus knew he could trust his beloved follower withan extremely important responsibility. (We dont know much about the relationship of

Jesus and his natural siblings at this point. Earlier in his ministry they seemed to havebeen less than fully supportive of his ministry [see Mark 3:21]. Later, Jesus brotherJames became one of the main leaders of the Christian church.)

Commentators throughout the ages have rightly noticed Jesus attention to the needs ofothers, in this case his mother, even in his hour of excruciating suffering. This is a fineobservation and surely fits with everything else we know about Jesus.

But for many years I have been struck by the thought of what Jesus mother must haveexperienced as she watched her son being crucified. I can only begin to imagine her pain.When my father was dying slowly from cancer, his mother (my grandmother) was stillalive. Her anguish over her son was palpable. At one point she said to me, Id give

anything to change places with Dave. No mother should ever have to see her son sufferlike this. I expect Mary could have said similar words as she stood near the cross ofJesus.

Yet Mary might have understood that the death of her son was part of Gods mysteriousplan. The gospels dont tell us too much about her experience or faith at this time. Shesurely knew from the very beginning that Jesus was extraordinary and that God hadsomething very special in store for him. And there were moments when she probablyunderstood that Jesus destiny would not be an easy one, for him or for her. For example,in Luke 2 when Simeon praised God upon seeing the baby Jesus, he delivered a chillingprophecy to Mary, This child is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel . . .and a sword will pierce your own soul too (2:34-35).


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I found Mel Gibsons portrayal of Mary in The Passion ofthe Christto extremely moving, partly because he didntoverplay his hand in depicting Marys grief. Though herloving sorrow for her son is obvious, Mary doesnt weepand wail and carry on. She seems to know that somethinglike this was coming, that Jesus is doing that for which hewas born. As a mother, she wants to run to him, and at onepoint she is able to do so. But she also understands that

she cannot rescue Jesus from his fate and that, in aprofound sense, she must not even if she could. Jesus ischoosing to lay down his life of his own accord, believingthat this is the cup his Heavenly Father has given him todrink (John 10:18; Mark 14:32-42). Marys strength andreserve seems to respect what her son and, indeed, whathis Heavenly Father, have chosen.

Mary the Mother of Jesusfrom The Passion of theChrist, played by Maia

Morgenstern

As we reflect upon the meaning of Christs death this week, Marys presence at the crossreminds us of the deeply human drama that is occurring, while it points beyond to themajesty and mystery of Gods plan for salvation.

Music for Holy Week

Joseph Haydn, the great 18th century composer, wasalso a devout Catholic Christian. In 1785 he wrote aseries of choral interludes for a Holy Week servicefocusing on the seven last words of Christ. Later, headapted the work for a string quartet. Later still, hemade a choral version ofThe Seven Last Words. I amnot familiar with the choral piece, but the string quartetversion is a deeply moving collection of sevenmeditative pieces, along with introductory material.Lasting 69 minutes, the entire piece encourages quiet

reflection on the meaning of the cross.

The Fourth WordPosted at 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2004

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?(Mark 15:34)

In times of unbearable suffering, Christians and Jews throughout the ages have turned tothe Psalms. In these classic Hebrew prayers we find comfort for our troubled souls. Yetwe also find words to express our longing, our desperation, even our doubt. By prayingthe Psalms we discover that the same Spirit who once inspired the psalm writers touches

our hearts and helps us to connect to the heart of the living God.

Given the experience of Gods people for centuries, it isnt surprising that Jesus quotesfrom a Psalm as he is being crucified. (Actually, he does so twice. See The SeventhWord later this week.) The question of the fourth word, My God, my God, why have youforsaken me? is a direct quotation from Psalm 22:1. Jesus, in his moment of greatestanguish, prayed in words that had been etched upon his soul through years of synagogueworship and personal reflection.


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Yet, in this new context, My God, my God,why have you forsaken me? takes on startlingnew dimensions. Jesus isnt simply a mancrying out to God as he is being abused byothers, he is also the divine Son of God cryingout to God the Father. Through the fourthword from the cross we enter into the essenceof Christs sacrifice. God is forsaking his Son

in that he is allowing Jesus to bear the sin ofthe world. Hes regarding his Son as if he weresin itself. In the words of the Apostle Paul,For our sake [God] made [Jesus] to be sinwho knew no sin, so that in him we mightbecome the righteousness of God (2Corinthians 5:21).

This still from The Passion of the Christdemonstrates the physical suffering of Jesus.

His spiritual suffering on the cross wasunspeakably more horrible even than this.

This is one of the greatest mysteries of the Bible, indeed, of the universe. God is notmerely forsaking a man named Jesus. God is forsaking, well, God. How is this possible? Icant begin to fathom it, let alone explain it. And Im not the first to hit the limits ofhuman comprehension here. Martin Luther himself once said, God forsaking God! Who

can understand it? Indeed! Here is the core of Gods marvelous, matchless, andmysterious grace.

The fact that Jesus quoted from Psalm 22 offers a hint of hope in what is otherwise adiscouraging scene. This Psalm contains some of the most desperate cries in all of thePsalter, including lines that foreshadow the crucifixion itself:

But I am a worm, and not human;scorned by others, and despised by the people.

All who see me mock at me;they make mouths at me, they shake their heads;

Commit your cause to the LORD; let him deliver --

let him rescue the one in whom he delights! (22:6-8)

I am poured out like water,and all my bones are out of joint. (22:14)

I can count all my bones.They stare and gloat over me;

they divide my clothes among themselves,and for my clothing they cast lots (22:18; see John 19:24)

Yet, interwoven within this psalm are strong affirmations of confidence in God:

In you our ancestors trusted;they trusted, and you delivered them. (22:4)

Yet it was you who took me from the womb;you kept me safe on my mothers breast (22:9)

In fact, Psalm 22 ends with divine deliverance and dominion:

For he did not despise or abhorthe affliction of the afflicted;

he did not hide his face from me,but heard when I cried to him.

From you comes my praise in the great congregation . . .

For dominion belongs to the LORD,and he rules over the nations. (22:24-25, 28)

Though I would not pretend truly to know what Christ was thinking while he was dying onthe cross, I wonder if his quotation of Psalm 22 meant to signal something beyond


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despair. He knew this psalm spoke of the vindication of the one who suffered and endedwith a strong statement of Gods kingdom. In the fourth word, could Jesus have beenconfessing, not only his desperation, but also his unbroken faith in his Heavenly Father?Did his use of Psalm 22 show his conviction that, in due time, he would be vindicated andGods rule established over all creation? Does the fourth word, the word of deepest agony,contain within it a tiny seed of Easter faith?

No matter how we might answer this question, what we can know for sure is this: Jesus

was forsaken by his Father so that you and I might not be forsaken. He takes our sin; weget his righteousness. He takes the divine rejection we deserved; we get the divineacceptance he deserved. This reveals, not only the love of the man Jesus, but also the loveof God who was incarnate in Jesus. But God proves his love for us in that while we stillwere sinners Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).

Music for Holy Week

Perhaps one of the greatest pieces of music forHoly Week is J. S. BachsSt. Matthew Passion.For many years it has been part of my own HolyWeek tradition to listen to this deeply moving

piece of music. Its one of the most auspicious ofall of Bachs compositions, involving two choirsand almost three hours of music. The lyrics arein German, of course. Bach takes Matthews textof Jesus passion and sets it to music, addingchoral pieces that include theological andemotional responses to the narrative. If you canset aside three hours this week, Id urge you totake the libretto (lyric booklet, with translation)of Bachs masterpiece and allow the St. MatthewPassion to bring you to the foot of the cross.

The Fifth WordPosted at 10:10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2004

I am thirsty.(John 19:28)

At first glance this is one of the least profound of Jesus last words from the cross. Afterlosing a large quantity of blood through his flogging and crucifixion, Jesus experiencedextraordinary thirst. John records his implicit request for liquid: I am thirsty. Matthewand Mark record, along with John, that somebody offered Jesus some sour wine in asponge, but they dont mention Jesus simple statement of need I am thirsty (see Matt27:48; Mark 15:34).

The thirst of Jesus reminds us that he was really experiencing the horrors of the cross,including extreme thirst. Moreover, it reminds us that Jesus was fully human, the sort ofbeing who could be thirsty. This fact isnt incidental, but absolutely essential to the savingwork of Christ. The Letter to the Hebrews expands upon this point:

Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewiseshared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one whohas the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their liveswere held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not cometo help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had tobecome like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be amerciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice ofatonement for the sins of the people. (Heb 2:14-17)

In a nutshell, Jesus had to be fully human in order to save humans from sin and death.


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The humanity of Jesus is hard to reconcile with hisdeity. In fact, throughout history Christians haveoften chosen one over the other. One of the earliestChristian heresies, called Docetism (from theGreek verb dokein, to seem), embraced the deity ofJesus (or Christ, as they would often say) whiledenying his humanity. The divine Christ onlyseemed to be human. This led Docetists to deny,

among other things, the reality of Christs sufferingon the cross. In one ancient Docetic document, thereal, non-physical Jesus is actually glad andlaughing while on the cross. According to this view,his apparent crucifixion was taken seriously only bythe unenlightened, who mistake the physical body forthe genuine, spiritual Jesus (see The Apocalypse ofPeter, 81:3-25).

Salvador Dali, Christ of St. John ofthe Cross, 1951. No blood, nowounds. A Docetic Christ.

Orthodox Christians, on the other hand, have steadfastly refused to deny the fullhumanity of Jesus, even as they have confessed his full deity. Yes, this is a paradox and amystery. But its part and parcel of our faith. If we deny the true humanity of Jesus, then,

as Hebrews instructs us, we dont have one who can truly save us.

Jesus is the Word of God made flesh. His incarnation not only allows him to reveal God tous, but also allows him to die in our place. Moreover, it enables him to understand whatits like to be human. The passage from Hebrews that I cited above concludes with thisencouraging insight:

Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help thosewho are being tested (2:18).

Later, Hebrews adds a similar thought:

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with ourweaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are,yet without sin (4:15)

Jesus who felt genuine thirst while on the cross understands what it means to be human.Thus he can sympathize with our weaknesses. When we are weak, when we struggle,when we feel pain, we cry out to One who knows what its like to be human. Thus Hebrews4, after noting that Jesus can sympathize with our weaknesses, concludes:

Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we mayreceive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (4:16)

Because of Jesus, we come before God freely, boldly, crying out, I am needy. I am afraid.

I need forgiveness. I need your help. I am thirsty in body and soul.

Music for Holy Week

Recently I purchased an album calledMiserere: Music forthe Holy Week Liturgy. It includes a collection of Passionand Holy Week themed music, featuring two differentversions of the Miserere mei, Deus (Have mercy on me, OGod the complete Latin text of Psalm 51). The seventeenpieces, written in the 16th and 17th centuries, are songschanted by the outstanding Westminster Abbey Choir. Im noexpert on the music of this period, but I find the tracks to be

hauntingly beautiful and spiritually focusing.

The Sixth WordPosted at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 8, 2004


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It is finished.(John 19:30)

In Johns telling of the passion, Jesus said, I am thirsty (19:28). Somebody standingnearby took a wine-drenched sponge and put it to Jesus lips. After drinking a bit of thewine, he said, It is finished (19:30), and then he died.

What is finished? On a most obvious level, Jesus passion is over. He has sufferedextreme physical horrors, not to mention the unimaginable horror of bearing human sin.Now, on the verge of death, Jesus suffering is finished.

But there are other levels of meaning in the phrase It is finished besides the mostobvious one. Throughout the Gospel of John Jesus mentions his calling to finish orcomplete the works his Father has given him:

My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.(4:34)

But I have a testimony greater than Johns. The works that the Father hasgiven me to complete, the very works that I am doing, testify on my behalf

that the Father has sent me. (5:36)

What are the works Jesus was sent to complete? As theWord of God Incarnate, he was the unique revealer, theone who perfectly revealed the glory of the Father (1:14,18). He taught the truth of God and, indeed, embodiedthat truth (1:14; 8:31-32; 14:6). He did works of power,signs that revealed his glory and led people to believe histeaching (John 2:11). He loved his followers and gavethem the commandment to love each other (13:34-35;15:12-13) His greatest work of all was being crucified for

the sake of the world, that which Jesus described asbeing lifted up. For example, consider these versesfrom John 3:

And just as Moses lifted up the serpent inthe wilderness, so must the Son of Man belifted up, that whoever believes in him mayhave eternal life. For God so loved theworld that he gave his only Son, so thateveryone who believes in him may notperish but may have eternal life. Indeed,God did not send the Son into the world to

condemn the world, but in order that theworld might be saved through him(3:14-17)

This painting, "Father Forgive Us,"is by the contemporary artist,

James Janknegt. He paints biblicalthemes with striking,

contemporary images. For moreinformation about this artist, see

his website.

In Daniels vision, the Son of Man is lifted up to share the glory of God (Daniel 7:13-14).Jesus used this language paradoxically to describe his being lifted up on the cross about as far from obvious glory as a person could ever be (see 12:33). Through thisaction, Jesus said that he will draw all people to [himself] (12:32). So when Jesus cried,It is finished, he meant, not only that his passion was over, but that he had completedeverything the Father had given him to do.

As we hear the words, It is finished, we realize that Gods great plan for salvation hascome to fruition. The penalty for human sin has been paid. The gap between sinfulhumanity and a holy God has been bridged by the sinless Son of God who was fully Godand fully human. Now, because of what Jesus has completed, we can be completelywhole.


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The paradoxical truth of the cross is captured wonderfully in a song by Michael Card,Cross of Glory. Here is the chorus:

Upon the cross of glory,His death was life to me,A sacrifice of loves most sacred mystery.And death rejoiced to hold Him,

For soon He would be free,For love must always have the victory.

Music for Holy Week

Michael Cards 2-CD album The Life tells the whole story ofJesus in 29 songs. Many of these are perfect for Holy Weekreflection, including: Scandalon, Gods Own Fool,Why, Known by the Scars, Ride on to Die, Come to theTable, In the Garden, Traitors Look, Cross of Glory,and He Was Heard. Like some of the classic songs Iverecommended this week, Michael Cards compositions probethe mystery of the Jesus passion, but in a popular idiom.

The Seventh WordPosted at 9:35 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2004

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.(Luke 23:46)

In Lukes Gospel, the last thing Jesus says before dying is: Father, into your hands Icommend my spirit. On the most obvious level Jesus is simply entrusting himself to Godas he dies. Hes saying, My life and my death are in your hands.

Yet more is happening in this word than appears on the surface because, once again,

Jesus is quoting from the Psalms, as he did with My God, my God, why have youforsaken me? This time Jesus prays the words of Psalm 31. Let me put this quotation incontext:

In you, O LORD, I seek refuge;do not let me ever be put to shame;in your righteousness deliver me.

Incline your ear to me;rescue me speedily.

Be a rock of refuge for me,a strong fortress to save me.

You are indeed my rock and my fortress;

for your names sake lead me and guide me,take me out of the net that is hidden for me,

for you are my refuge.Into your hands I commit my spirit;

you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. (Ps 31:1-5)

The original context for Jesus simple prayer Into your hands I commend my spirit wasa strong affirmation of Gods faithfulness and redemption. By quoting from Psalm 31,Jesus is not only entrusting his spirit to God, but also affirming his ultimate trust in God,even the God who has laid upon him the sin of the world. Moreover, the fact that Jesuscontinues to address God as Father indicates his unwavering confidence in the One hehas known so intimately and served so faithfully.

Throughout our lives we rely on all sorts of things. We begin life fully dependent on ourparents. Along the way we trust teachers, doctors, lawyers, pilots, engineers, spouses,presidents, police officers, friends, pastors, and, of course, ourselves. But, in the end, weput our ultimate trust in God, and in God alone. We realize we cant save ourselves. We


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cant make eternal life happen. We cant defeat death. We cant earn our redemption. So,like David in Psalm 31, and like Jesus in Luke 23, we put our lives into the hands of God.

Yet we do so with a peculiar confidence. Weknow that, in the mystery of the Trinity, Godshands are not only strong, but vulnerable.Theyre not only healing, but wounded. Thehands of Jesus, pierced on the cross, are the

very hands of God. Into these hands we can trustourselves completely, knowing that theyllalways be there to catch us, both in life and indeath.

Music for Holy Week

My final suggestion for Holy Week music is analbum that actually is appropriate for the wholeseason of Lent and even Easter.Passiontide atSt. Pauls features the heavenly choir of St.Pauls Cathedral in London, singing four Lenten

songs, five songs that focus on the actual passionof Christ, and four celebrative Easter anthems.Ive owned this CD for several years and haveenjoyed it thoroughly, though I almost neverlisten to the whole album at once. Prior toEaster I focus on the first nine tracks. ThereafterI enjoy the four others, including This joyfulEastertide by Charles Wood, one of my favoriteEaster pieces.


the seven last words of christ in holy week

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