HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

 

                                           THE LAST SEVEN  STATEMENTS OF JESUS                                               WHILE ON THE CROSS

1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34

2. “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43)

3. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). 

4. "Eli,Eli, Lemasabachthani? Which means, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.  Matthew 27:46

5. “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” (John 19:26,27)

6. “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28)

 7. “It is finished.” (John 19:30)

Think about the pain and agony Christ was going through as He hung there on the cross beaten and bruised, spit upon, scoffed at, and yet He had the capacity to love, and to encourage others. He had all of His faculties to the very end. Even while under such distress, pain, and agony. He never lost sight of His Father or mission.

I can only imagine the sounds, the voices, that swirled around Him that day, as He hung there for those hours on the cross. The people talking , the criminals, one asking for help the other condemning Him. Yet His words were clear and focused and very, very intentional, He knew His time was short. Jesus was and is the example. For us/those who have or will go through similar duress and who are called to suffer.  “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21, Luke 23:39-42)

I wonder how many of us have at one time or another called out to God or to Jesus, Please don't for get me, please don't pass me by on the other side. PLEASE...... DON'T FORGET ME. We all have the indwelling created feeling for love. We have all had that feeling at one time or another in our lives where we thought everybody including God had forgotten all about us. 

But, oh the feeling, to be remembered by someone, but especially to know we have been remembered by God, now thats a special feeling. Well, that type of remembrance can be found at the cross. As we know, if we know our bibles at all, there were two other men, criminals that were taken to be crucified at the same time as Jesus was. One of these guys finally understood.

I can imagine Him looking over at Jesus, and saying, JESUS, could you please remember me when you come into your kingdom? (v.42) Christs response was one of the last statements of Christ from the cross. He said, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (v. 43). That must have been quit a moment for that criminal, to hear that Jesus did and would remember him, he believed and he was saved. Thats how it works when one truly believes.

As you read those seven last statement, you can sense how Jesus is taking care of business, before His death. Forgiving those who crucified Him, Assuring those who would believe that He will remember them and take them home, He again committed His life into His Fathers hands, He showed He was still all human, He felt abandoned by His father as He was about to die. 

But still He wanted to take care of especially His mother and His family. He acknowledged His weakness, I'm thirsty, Then He knew He had done all that God had prepared for Him to do, and the last words that came from His mouth was "IT IS FINISHED". I pray that when my end comes I will be able to say with Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Friends, we will never be forgotten by God, when we turn to him, or turn back to Him He will always be waiting with arms open wide. I was told one time that God never walks away from me, but it is I who walked away from God. He will always remember me, and will always welcome me home when I want to return. 

Dear Father, when I face those times of feeling alone and forgotten, please remind me that your loving presence in my life , is forever and you want to encourage me by your patience with me and that you have more grace for me than I can ever use if I will only acknowledge you and walk with you.Your grace is sufficient for me. AMEN