Title: Virtual Seven Words / Luke 23:33-46
Tonight I will meditate on the seven words of the Lord on the cross. All the words of the Lord are precious and gracious words, but the words of the seven virtual words are truly precious and gracious words. Because of those words and the death of the Lord, we have received the forgiveness of sins and the grace of salvation to sit here.
Jesus was crucified on Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. From 9 a.m. to noon, Jesus spoke 3 words and near 3 p.m. He spoke the last 4 words.
1. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). The purpose of Jesus coming into the world was to save us from our sins. While on earth, Jesus forgave the sins of the woman in adultery, the sins of Zacchaeus who extorted, the sins of Peter who betrayed the Lord, and the sins of many people. Even on the cross, Jesus interceded with God the Father to forgive the sins of the Roman soldiers who crucified him and the Jews who betrayed him to them. Because of that prayer, we received the grace of the forgiveness of our sins and were able to sit here.
2. "Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). The purpose of Jesus coming into the world was also to take us to heaven. Jesus opened the gates of heaven to all who repent. At the last moment just before fate, Jesus bestowed upon the thief who repented incompletely, the forgiveness of sins and the great blessing of entering the kingdom of heaven. Because of that prayer, we also received the blessing of entering the kingdom of heaven when we die.
3. "Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother" (John 19:26-27). Jesus came into the world to bring comfort and joy to those who are grieving, and to restore family and relationships. Jesus showed the example of love and filial piety for his mother here. Jesus was so kind and so human. Because of this prayer, we receive and share comfort and love in the midst of sorrow.
4. "Eli, Eli, lama, sabachthani, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). As 3 p.m. was near, Jesus cried out a cry that revealed the tragic meaning of the cross to the whole world. The cross was the supreme tragedy in which the Son was forsaken as Father and from all creation. Jesus was despised and rejected. He was despiced and rejected! Luther was agonizing over, "Why? Why?" He answered, "Because of me, because of me." Because of this prayer, we too have been accepted by God.
5. “I am thirsty” (John 19:28). Jesus took our thirst in our place, and instead poured out on us living water that will never thirst. In order to pour living water on the Samaritan woman and to pour living water on us, Jesus Himself was thirsty.
6. "It is finished" (John 19:30). The purpose of the Lord's coming into the world was "to do the will of him who sent me, and to complete his work" (John 4:34). Jesus has done it all.