" CHRIST Spoke 7 Times from the Cross "

     GOD loves us. Rather than leave us in our sin, HE sent HIS OWN SON, JESUS, to pay the penalty our sin demanded. Although JESUS lived a sinless life, HE died in our place. Before HE died, HE spoke 7 times from the cross. These are HIS WORDS.

"FATHER, forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
     The first WORDs from the cross are not about the pain or the injustice. They are a prayer for those who have just crucified the very SON of GOD.

"Verily, I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with ME in paradise." Luke 23:43
     JESUS came to seek and to save those who were lost. Now, at HIS hour of death HE offers eternal salvation to the repentant thief hanging next to HIM. The offer still stands for ALL who repent and believe.

"Woman, behold thy SON . . . Behold thy Mother !" John 19:26b,27a
     JESUS cares about those who love HIM. When HE saw HIS Mother weeping at the foot of the cross, HE made provision for her. HE instructed John to take care of her. JESUS knows and cares about our needs.

"MY GOD, MY GOD, why has THOU forsaken ME ?" Matthew 27:46
     Separation from GOD is hell. There was no greater agony for JESUS than to be separated from GOD the FATHER. Yet HE willingly endured this suffering on our behalf. Those who refuse to repent (turn to GOD from their sin) and believe still face the agony of eternal separation from GOD and our loved ones. Repent and believe, while there is still time !

"I thirst." John 19:28
     JESUS, though divine, assumed our human nature at HIS birth in order that the penalty due the human race would be borne by a human WHO never sinned. The agony of JESUS' thirst demonstrates the reality of HIS physical suffering on our behalf. That the son of GOD should become man is a mystery. That our sin and guilt can be laid on HIM is a mystery. But we believe and are saved !

"It is finished." John 19:30
     The just anger of GOD against the sin of all mankind lay upon JESUS throughout HIS life, but especially at HIS crucifixion. Now the penalty was paid in full. The salvation of mankind was complete. Because of JESUS, we who believe, are reconciled to GOD and are members of GOD's family now and for eternity.

"FATHER, into THY hands I commend MY SPIRIT." Luke 23:46
     The wages of sin is death. JESUS paid that price for all who believe. After three days, GOD raised HIM from the grave and after appearing to many of HIS believers, JESUS went back up into Heaven.
     The salvation won for us by the sacrifice of JESUS is for any and all who come to HIM and believe the Gospel by faith . . .

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel . . . by which also ye are saved . . . For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" 1st.Corinthians 15:1a,2a,3-4

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved . . . For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." Romans 10:9,13
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie