Marty Griffith

The Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross

The purpose of this teaching is to boast or glory in the cross of Christ.

He gave His life willingly

The cross, it’s place in history

Sacrifice was no longer demanded; our High Priest has come and is the fulfillment of all the sacrifices that had come before.

First Saying on the cross

(Luke 23:34) Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.

Weakness did not send Him to the cross

They did not realize who it was they were crucifying

He forgave as He had during His ministry. Forgiveness had brought Him here.

Second Saying from the cross:

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

The first two sayings are words of forgiveness. While the word “forgiveness” is not used here, the thief knew that he was leaving this life with Jesus and he was forgiven.

Two thieves, two different reactions to being in the presence of Jesus.

One was lost that none should surmise, one was saved that none should despair.

This thief was our Lord’s last companion on earth. He went with Jesus to Paradise and went to Heaven with the saints of old with Jesus leading the way.

Third saying from the cross

John 19:26-27 Woman, behold thy son! [And to the disciple] behold thy mother!

Simeon said when he saw Jesus that this One will be the rise and fall of many in Isreal and a sword shall pierce your heart Luke 2:34-35

While disciples scattered, Mary is at the cross. What sorrow she must have felt.

While in intense pain, Jesus is concerned with the physical well being of His mother.

Fourth Saying from the Cross:

Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Jesus, in this dark painful hour, quotes Psalm 22:1. This chapter is a graphic picture of Jesus on the cross.

Forsaken. “Let this cup pass from me”. He was forsaken in that He drank the cup of sorrows. He was forsaken in the manner described in Psalm 22.

This is not a pitiful cry of a weak, diluted, would be savior who had mistaken his identity. This is the cry of One Who knew Who He was and had access to the Father, “My God, My God” he cried knowing full well the Father heard Him.

Fifth Saying on the Cross

John 19.28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

He is very God of very God, but He is also very man of very man. “I thirst”.

Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

He is thirsty because He is dying in the place of and among sinful men, far from the glory of heaven and the crystal sea that surrounds the throne He left.

Man’s treatment of his Savior. John 19:29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put [it] upon hyssop, and put [it] to his mouth.

Sixth Saying on the Cross:

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Never was a more important phrase spoken.

“It is finished”…what is finished?

His work

His life

His agony

The debt owed to sin

Another interpretation of the Greek word tetelestai is “Paid in full”.

One death, His death on the cross, paid the sin debt forever. Romans 6:9 and 10

Our work, as it regards salvation, is over.

He wrote in blood across our receipt, “tetelestai, Paid in full”.

Seventh Saying on the Cross:

Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Though not spared from this cup of woe, still He calls out “Father”.

He commends, meaning to place down, His spirit to the Father. “

I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from

Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This
commandment have I received of My Father.” John 10:17, 18

With nothing left to accomplish or say, Jesus breathed His last.

behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands” (Isaiah 49:16)