THE PASSION OF CHRIST ON HUMANITY

GOOD FRIDAY

For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)

SEVEN WORDS OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS

The seven words of Jesus Christ on the Cross came as a result of the passion He had on humanity. Man fell in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and God so loved the world and thought it that the perfect sacrifice that would restore man back to Himself was a true sacrifice of His one and only begotten Son (John 3:16). Jesus gave himeslf to humanity to reconcile man back to His father. He left all the pleasure above, came in all humility, did not not consider equality with God but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, became obedient to death, even death on the cross (Philippians 2:5-11). Thus we are redeemed forever  if we believe in Him and assured eternal life. The following are the last words of the Lord as f He faces crucifixion:

First Word: Luke 23:34

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

Christ committed no sin, no crime, yet he was beaten severely and sentenced to death immediately. Despite all the brutality of the accusers, he made excuses for them that they were ignorant of their action and pleaded to his Father to forgive them. He could as well as the prophet of old call down fire from heaven to consume all his enemies or command wild animals to destroy them for insulting not only a prophet but the Son of God. Beloved, we are to emulate Jesus Christ in everything; he taught us how to forgive not only in the words of prayer but by his action. He demonstrated what he had taught his disciples even at the crucial state of death.

Therefore, for God to do anything for you or to answer your entire petition, you must be able to forgive all that has wronged or hurt you badly, love as Christ loved, he was innocent of all the crime laid upon Him yet He never sinned, he was willing to die for you and me. 

Second Word: Luke 23:43

“…today you will be with me in paradise”

One of the criminals beside the Lord hurled insult at the King of kings. Sometimes we are too quick to condemned people based on their appearances. This singular action made this criminal lost his soul. He was in the same situation Jesus was; he rather chooses to remove the speck out one someone else’s eyes and forgot the plank on his own eyes. Many a times we judge people around us and we don’t take a deep reflection into our own life. This is a time to turn a new leaf and repent from all our judgmental life.

On the other hand, the other criminal had a repented heart, rebuking his fellow criminal and requested the Lord to remember him in his kingdom. As individual do you even know that Jesus have a kingdom? This dying Criminal knew Jesus who was also dying has a kingdom and he was will to be part of that Kingdom.

Beloved, death is not the end of your soul. It is the beginning of another journey called eternity. Consider what is raging our world today, the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID 19) is also not the end of our soul. This was prophesied in Matthew 24:7, It is still not the end of the world, it is just a sign of the end of time. If death knocks on the door of your heart today, are you prepared to be with the Lord in paradise? Will you be received into the kingdom of God? After death remembers no repent, it is judgment. Will you be justified to be with Jesus in his kingdom or be condemned to hell with Satan? John 3:16 the most popular verse in the Bible admonish us to believe in Jesus Christ so that we will not perish but have everlasting life. However, if we refuse to believe in His name and accept him as the only son of God we are condemned already (John 3:18). Do you believe like the criminal who told Jesus to remember him in His kingdom? Now is the time to repent, tomorrow might be too late.

Third Words: John 19:26-27

“Dear women, here is your Son…. Here is your mother”

Many a times we have hurt our parents because of the situation we found ourselves. It is true that things may be tough and frustrating yet it is not a yardstick for us to be irresponsible. Jesus on the cross was dying yet He remembers to hand over his mother to a trusted and reliable person closest to him. Sometimes we may not be available to always care for our parents as expected due to the nature of our job, geographical location or reasons best known to us. However, we could delegate such responsibility to someone reliable and closest to them and yet be responsible. Christ taught us through his action to be caring, compassionate and merciful. For some, a times, when you flash back on attitude or behaviour of your parents; they have hurt, molested, abandoned you and you are traumatized. Yes, they may not be justified, they don’t deserve your attention, care or affection but for the sake of Christ, you are expected to do all that is needful in love and forgive, do not let such act hinder your journey to eternity. Note that by your character, you will surely win them to Christ.

Likewise, do not be a party to those who neglect their parents while alive and spend millions of dollars when they are gone at their funeral to entertain friends and family to show off that their parents have wealthy children. If you had taken care of them, peradventure they might still be alive.

Beloved, your presence, love, attention and affection speaks more volume than any trillion dollar in the world, thus money is not everything. Care for your parents while they are still alive, you don’t know what you have until you lost it, so do everything you got now and you shall be blessed you did.  

Fourth Words: Matthew 27:46 or Mark 15:34

“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?, why have you forsaken me?”

Jesus at this point felt abandoned, helpless, failed by his father. However on the part of God there was a separation because He could not behold the sins Christ was carrying. If God could not help his son at this hour due to the sins of the world. Talk-less of you, thus if you do not want God to forsake or abandoned you at any time in life especially when we need him most, then we must always shun evil. Let us draw near to God for He is ever ready to draw near to us. He is ready to heal us and our land if w humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from all our wicked ways (2Chron. 7:14). Therefore shun evil and live lives that glorify God so as not to be forsaken.

Fifth Words: John 19:28

“I thirst”

Christ after finishing everything said “I thirst”. Unfortunately, he was given vinegar (a soured and bitter wine) to drink. Likewise, as we are in this side of the world, what do you thirst or long after? Fame, riches and power! Now ask yourself are you filled and satisfied with all these things? Beloved, seek the right things, seek God, Jesus said what shall it profit a man if He gain the whole world and losses his soul (Matt. 16:26) rather seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness and all your pursuit shall e given to you as well (Matt. 6:33).

Sixth Words: 19:30

“It is finished”

It is finished declared by Jesus Christ. Jesus said it is finished to sickness, death, name it. Whatever the situation are faced with today, believe that it is finished. Claim it and live with. The Israelites in the wilderness believed in the bronze snake hanged up by Moses as instructed by the Lord and they were instantly healed when they looked up to it. Likewise, you and I are to look unto God at this trying period of the world and believe that God has come to save us. Remember also that death is not the end of it all. Do not commit any sin, repent and let Jesus finish the job. – COVID 19 you are finished by the blood of the lamb shed on the cross of Calvary in Jesus name.

Seventh Words: Luke 23:46

“Father, into your hand, I commit my spirit”

In whose hands do we commit our spirit? Jesus committed his spirit to God before He expired. Many have committed themselves to individuals who have failed them and are at the verge of giving up, many have trusted in their riches, power and fame, behold that has also failed. Due to this many are depressed and some have committed suicide. Beloved, let us commit our spirit to God who is our creature and ready to accept us and remold us to be used to his glory. Our time on this side of the world is too short compared to eternity. Therefore let us live a life that imitate Christ and give glory to God as we rehearse for the final presentation in Heaven.

Collects:

Almighty Father, look with mercy on this your family for which our Lord Jesus Christ was content to be betrayed and given up into the hands of wicked men and to suffer death upon the cross; who is alive and glorified with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 


Merciful God, you made all men, and hate nothing that you have made; you desire not the death of a sinner but rather that he should be converted and live. Have mercy upon your ancient people the Jews, and upon all who have not known you, or who deny the faith of Christ crucified; take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your word; and so fetch them home to your fold, that they may be made one flock under one Shepard, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY!