Today, as we remember the death of Jesus, we remember His selfless sacrifice on the cross and the price He paid so that we, His children, could have eternal life with Him.

Every lash, every stripe He bore was for our sickness, our disease, our sin, and every iniquity that stood in opposition to God. Jesus became sin so that He could die for our sins. He bore the wrath of God all for us. Because He loved us that much.

We did not deserve it. We never did and never will. Yet when the Lord laid the foundations of the world, He saw you and He saw me, and He delighted in the day we would be with Him in His heavenly places, in His glory, dining with Him, worshiping Him, rejoicing in His presence, and sharing in His eternal love as heirs.

Thank You, Jesus.

Today, let us remember the last words of Jesus on the cross:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

“Today, you will be with Me in paradise.”

“Woman, behold your son… behold your mother.”

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

“I thirst.”

“It is finished.”

“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”

The first three statements, even as Jesus hung on the cross bleeding and in agony, were about us. About forgiving us. About salvation for the thief beside Him. About honoring His mother and making sure she was cared for. Even in pain, His heart was still for people.

Then He cries, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” quoting Psalm 22:1. In this moment, Jesus felt the weight of sin and separation as He bore the wrath meant for us.

Then He says, “I thirst.” Not just natural thirst, but a deep longing, a thirst for God, for the presence of the Father. (This is also a time to meditate on Jesus now calling the Lord ‘My God’ as opposed to ‘father’ earlier.)

Then His final words: “It is finished,” and “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
These words were not words of defeat, but of completion. Jesus finished the assignment. From His birth to His death, He walked in perfect obedience and perfect alignment with God. This is the desire of every believer, that at the end of our lives, we too can say we finished the race.

And we know the story does not end at the cross.

The King on the cross rose again. Darkness covered the land after His last breath, the veil tore, the ground shook, graves opened, and many realized too late that this was the Messiah. But while some mourned, heaven rejoiced because death was defeated, and the Holy Spirit was coming to dwell in the hearts of those who believe.

Jesus did not come for vengeance. Even while being crucified, He still extended love, mercy, and an invitation to salvation, even to those who crucified Him.

What other God loves like this?

Thank You, Jesus.

PRAYER-

Spirit of the Living and eternal God, 

We thank you for your Holy Sacrifice. We thank you Lord, for seeing our faces in the midst of torture, accusation and pain. We thank you for your heart that has a depth we will never be able to understand. We thank you for being the final sacrifice, so that we can live. Thank you for your defeat of death, defeat of Sin. The king on a cross. The king who reigns in heaven. The living God. We glorify your Holy name. Thank you for showing us that even near death, with our confession and belief in who you are, we have a place in heaven with you for eternity. Thank you for showing us that even in your worst moments, you think about US. That even in times where you felt forsaken, you still saw US. How much MORE should we see YOU in these moments in OUR lives. The ultimate sacrifice and the ultimate example. Forever you reign. The King of Kings. The Lord of Lords. Jesus, we honor you forever. 

In your Holy, and matchless name we pray.

Amen.

SCRIPTURE TO MEDITATE ON

Luke 23:32-49

John 19:25-30

Matthew 27:45-46

Psalm 22:1