out of a person. The weight of the body suspended by the arms 
caused immediate pain in the chest, paralyzing the pectoral muscles and making breathing extremely difficult. The person being crucified could inhale but had great difficulty exhaling. To exhale he had to push on his feet and straighten his legs to release the pressure exerted on his arms and chest. But the pain that this caused to his feet was so excruciating, because of the nails, that he would immediately cease any such effort. Death usually occurred within two or three days. But when the Romans wanted to shorten his agony, they would break his legs. So, unable to straighten himself with the help of his legs, the man would suffocate rapidly.
When Jesus was crucified, the soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves crucified with Jesus to hasten their deaths, but Jesus’ legs were not broken because he was already dead says the book of John chapter 19. Thus was accomplished a prophecy from Scripture saying that none of his bones would be broken.
caused immediate pain in the chest, paralyzing the pectoral muscles and making breathing extremely difficult. The person being crucified could inhale but had great difficulty exhaling. To exhale he had to push on his feet and straighten his legs to release the pressure exerted on his arms and chest. But the pain that this caused to his feet was so excruciating, because of the nails, that he would immediately cease any such effort. Death usually occurred within two or three days. But when the Romans wanted to shorten his agony, they would break his legs. So, unable to straighten himself with the help of his legs, the man would suffocate rapidly. When Jesus was crucified, the soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves crucified with Jesus to hasten their deaths, but Jesus’ legs were not broken because he was already dead says the book of John chapter 19. Thus was accomplished a prophecy from Scripture saying that none of his bones would be broken.
Imagine the sufferings He has been through. While he was fighting for his every breath, Jesus uttered his last seven words.
1. The Word of Forgiveness:
"Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Jesus, filled with an amazing calmness and an inexplicable love, interceded with the Father for the forgiveness of his torturers. He teaches forgiveness in this prayer. Bible says in Mathew, "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us". When asked by Peter, how many times should we forgive someone, Jesus answers seventy times seven. At the Last Supper, Jesus explains his crucifixion to his Apostles when he tells them to drink of the cup: "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins".
What they did on crucification day was really unforgivable. Crucified the son of God, which is beyond forgiveness. It is truly unforgivable. Yet Jesus said, “Father forgive them.” While meditating on this, I was wondering if we will be able do the same for those who hurt us, with much difficulty we forgive them and satisfied with that. But do we really forgive them as Christ did, Saying "they do not know what they do"?
2. The Word of Salvation:
"Truly, I say to you today you will be with me in paradise".
Jesus, hanging on the cross, was still seeking to save those who were lost. We know what happened there, a thief on the cross was dying for his sins. In his last hours he asks, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom".It is never too late to turn to Christ. Sometimes people say, "I’m too old for this" or "Its too late." What we choose actually matters, not when.
Sometimes we look at people and say, “They are just too far gone. They will never come to Jesus.” Then we get discouraged and stop praying for them. But if this story teaches us anything, it is nothing is too late for God.
3. The Word of Relationship:
"Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son."
Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother."
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved, he said these words. Here he teaches us the importance of family, relationships and responsibility. As Jesus hung on the cross, as he is on the way to saving the world he had enough time to take care of his mother, he is fulfilling the most basic responsibility and the most sacred obligation that any son ever had. So must we, in life and in death, take enough time to care for those who have cared for us. We should us care and love one another, and thus reflect Jesus’ love whereby He has loved us all!
4. The Word of Abandonment:
Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother."
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved, he said these words. Here he teaches us the importance of family, relationships and responsibility. As Jesus hung on the cross, as he is on the way to saving the world he had enough time to take care of his mother, he is fulfilling the most basic responsibility and the most sacred obligation that any son ever had. So must we, in life and in death, take enough time to care for those who have cared for us. We should us care and love one another, and thus reflect Jesus’ love whereby He has loved us all!
4. The Word of Abandonment:
"Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani?"
which is translated, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
This is the only time Jesus addressed God as “My God.” Everywhere else he called him “Father.” But here he said, “My God,” because the Father-Son relationship was broken at that moment. But why? Bible says in II Corinthians chapter 5, “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” He became sin for us.
Jesus, the Son of God make complete identification with sinners. Jesus become a curse for us. He died in our place. And all our sins were laid on him. It was for that reason and only for that God the Father forsook his only begotten Son.
We must never minimize the horror of human sin. Sin breaks our relationship with God. Beware!!
which is translated, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
This is the only time Jesus addressed God as “My God.” Everywhere else he called him “Father.” But here he said, “My God,” because the Father-Son relationship was broken at that moment. But why? Bible says in II Corinthians chapter 5, “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” He became sin for us.
Jesus, the Son of God make complete identification with sinners. Jesus become a curse for us. He died in our place. And all our sins were laid on him. It was for that reason and only for that God the Father forsook his only begotten Son.We must never minimize the horror of human sin. Sin breaks our relationship with God. Beware!!
5. The Word of Distress:
"I thirst".
Jesus must have become dehydrated by the loss of blood and sweat. Having had nothing to eat or drink since the Last Supper the night before. But did He really meant his physical thirst here, definitely no. His thirst was more than a dry throat. He thirsts for those for whom He is dying to come to Him and drink of the refreshing water of salvation.
David says in His book of Psalms 143, “I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsts after thee, as a thirsty land”. Do we have the thirst for wordily things or the thirst for God as in book of Psalms 42, "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God”? Do we thirst for Souls?
Jesus must have become dehydrated by the loss of blood and sweat. Having had nothing to eat or drink since the Last Supper the night before. But did He really meant his physical thirst here, definitely no. His thirst was more than a dry throat. He thirsts for those for whom He is dying to come to Him and drink of the refreshing water of salvation.David says in His book of Psalms 143, “I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsts after thee, as a thirsty land”. Do we have the thirst for wordily things or the thirst for God as in book of Psalms 42, "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God”? Do we thirst for Souls?
6. The Word of Triumph:
Jesus said, "It is finished".
When Jesus uttered those words, He was declaring the debt owed to His Father was wiped away completely and forever. Not that Jesus wiped away any debt that He owed to the Father; rather, Jesus eliminated the debt owed by mankind—the debt of sin. The Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term that means “paid in full".
Also it represents the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies, symbols and foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. Sometimes we worry too much for things, which Lord has finished already on cross. All we have to do is to believe Lord has finished that already on cross, having full faith on His words and surrendering completely to Him.
When Jesus uttered those words, He was declaring the debt owed to His Father was wiped away completely and forever. Not that Jesus wiped away any debt that He owed to the Father; rather, Jesus eliminated the debt owed by mankind—the debt of sin. The Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term that means “paid in full".
Also it represents the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecies, symbols and foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. Sometimes we worry too much for things, which Lord has finished already on cross. All we have to do is to believe Lord has finished that already on cross, having full faith on His words and surrendering completely to Him.7. The Word of Reunion:
Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."
Bible says in Luke "It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining, the curtain of the temple was torn in two and Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last." Here the tearing of the temple veil signifies the start of Christ’s ministry as High Priest.
While meditating on this, just two this crossed my mind, Whether we have committed our life here in this earth and our life beyond this(eternal life), in Lord’s hands? Do we have Christ as our High Priest or someone else?
I have just briefed my thoughts, when we meditate deeply on this we can really understand where we are today and what have to do for Christ like living.
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."
Bible says in Luke "It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining, the curtain of the temple was torn in two and Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last." Here the tearing of the temple veil signifies the start of Christ’s ministry as High Priest.
While meditating on this, just two this crossed my mind, Whether we have committed our life here in this earth and our life beyond this(eternal life), in Lord’s hands? Do we have Christ as our High Priest or someone else?
I have just briefed my thoughts, when we meditate deeply on this we can really understand where we are today and what have to do for Christ like living.
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