Jesus on the Cross: First 3 Statements

Can you imagine yourself on your deathbed, writhing in pain from wounds all over? Now imagine having to teach a few lessons from that place! Yet Jesus Christ did just that, from his deathbed - the Cross.

Jesus did not live one moment for himself. He lived every moment for his Father in Heaven - to do His will; and he lived for you and me - to show us the way of salvation - himself. Let's look at his first 3 statements on the cross:

1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34): Even in that state of physical agony, Jesus prayed for those who crucified him and got him crucified. "Them" also means us, because whenever we sin, we offend God first and others only next.


2. "Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home." (John 19:27): John was Jesus' cousin. Jesus was not concerned about his pain or death but about the well-being of the woman who gave him birth. That led him to give John the responsibility of caring for his mother after his death and ascension.
3. “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43): Again, it was for the thief on the cross who repented, that Jesus reserved his third statement. Jesus looked at Paradise rather than the grave. And he had the thief's salvation in mind than his deliverance from pain.

When Jesus began his ministry on Earth, he meant business. These 3 statements on the Cross were the climax of his work not only as the only Saviour of mankind, but also as evangelist # 1. In a later post, we shall look at Jesus the Evangelist. Stay tuned!

P.S.: They say love is sacrifice. Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for you and me. He is love embodied. To learn more about the gift he wants to give you, read this post.