The last words of a dying loved one should be very special to us—especially the last words Jesus spoke before His death. His last words from the cross reveal so much about His person. And I’m convinced that the more we know about the person and work of Jesus Christ the more we will desire Him and desire to live for His glory.
In addition to the sermons I’ve preached on the last words of Jesus, I want to share some more thoughts on the cross. In his book, Scandalous, D. A. Carson, professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, writes of the ironies of the cross. I found these statements to be thought provoking and hope you enjoy them as much as I did when I first read them. All of them are based on the truths found in Matthew 27:27-51.
First, in writing about Jesus on the cross, Dr. Carson points out that the Man who is mocked as king is the King. Second, the Man who is utterly powerless is powerful. Third, the Man who can’t save Himself saves others. And finally, the Man who cries out in despair trusts God.
These may seem like simple truths to you, but you must admit that these are profound statements. It all boils down to the reality that Jesus is God incarnate who could have easily delivered Himself from the cross and spared Himself much agony and pain. Yet, because of His love for His people, and especially because of His love for the Father and doing His will, He endured the cross as our perfect sacrifice. Knowing all of these things to be true, how can we live our lives without constantly obeying His Word and seeking His will?
As we continue looking at the person and work of Christ I hope each of us will grow closer to Him than ever before. Remember, what you believe determines how you behave. May our thoughts be His thoughts and our will His will. It is only then that we begin to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
By His Grace,
Pastor Johnny