Words of Christ on the Cross, Part 1

Luke 23:33-34, 39-43

“33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

John 19:25-27

“25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”

How is it that Jesus could express compassion for others while on the cross?  Each of the statements above in bold are statements that Jesus made after being beaten, whipped, scourged, spat upon, forced to carry his cross, nailed by the hands and ankles to the cross, then slowly suffocating to death because of the weight of His body pulling down on His arms.

Yet, his concern is for those who crucified Him, for the criminals who were crucified with Him, and for His mother.

How many of us are able to think beyond our own pain to the needs and suffering of others?

Christ did this on the cross.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Matthew 9:23)

This is the way.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)