Dr. C. Dexter Wise III

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Gladys Murphy
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1 Rushing to the Resurrection Dr. C. Dexter Wise III Typically, as the February freeze begins to thaw and the winds of March blow us into spring, the minds of many Christians rush towards the Resurrection. We can t wait for the new outfits, the pleasant weather, the Easter pageants, the marvelous music, the powerful preaching, the early morning Sunrise Service breakfast and more. And why shouldn t we be super excited? After all, the Resurrection is the exclamation point on our salvation. It is the final fulfillment of why Christ came. However, often in our rush to the Resurrection, we run far too quickly past the crucifixion. Perhaps, it is the horror of it, or the shame of it, or the reminder of it or even the need of it that makes us want to skip that part of our redemption story. This, time, let us not only pause, but let us actually pull over and spend some time at the cross of Christ. When we do, we might be surprised to find that from a place which literally bespeaks death, we can hear Jesus Christ speaking words of life from the cross. The objective is to examine His seven last words, listen to Him, learn from Him, and when we find ourselves on our own respective crosses, to be like Him. 1

2 SPEAKING LIFE TO HIS ACCUSERS The First Word: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34 Almost by definition, Calvary was a place of death. The only reasons anyone would be there in the first place was either to watch someone die, cause someone to die or to die. Who, then, would ever expect that in and from such a gruesome spot, one would be able to hear anything which even remotely resembled life? Yet, if we turn up the volume and raise our spiritual antennae, in His last cries from the cross, we can hear Jesus speaking words of life. Yes, they are spoken amidst tears. Yes, they are spoken in spite of torture. Still, His dying words become life giving words if we are willing to hear them rightly. Before we actually get to His words, though, let us mention a word about what His cross was and why He was on it. His cross was a burden which He voluntarily bore for the redemption others. Hence, a cross is not just any burden or any pain or any problem. It is a burden not caused by you and for the most part the bearing of which will not benefit you. Jesus did not die on the cross to save himself. Rather, He voluntarily suffered, bled and died to save us. Most of the time, if asked: What did Jesus do on the cross? our knee jerk answer would be: He died on the cross. Now, what we see as we listen to His seven last words is that dying was not the only thing He did on the cross. The first word from the cross is: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34 This word teaches us that: 1. Jesus on the cross Father a. The cross does not or you from prayer. b. The cross is a perfect to pray. c. The cross does not severe your with God. He is still your. 2

3 2. Jesus on the cross forgive them a. The cross should not erase your for others. b. The cross should not eradicate your or ability to intercede for others. c. The cross should not erode your of forgiveness for others. 3. Jesus on the cross for they do not know what they do. a. The cross is a platform from which you can. b. The cross is a platform from which you can be. c. The cross is a platform from which you can. d. The cross is a platform from which you can. 3

4 SPEAKING LIFE TO HIS SEEKERS The Second Word "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43 As He listened to the sneers and jeers of His accusers, Jesus looked up to His Father and pled that He forgive them because they did not know what they were doing. At the same time, on one side of Him, He heard a thief seeking to be saved from the cross while, on the other side of Him, was a second thief seeking to be saved from sin. The Lord s second word from the cross was aimed at this latter thief and to all who seek Him. "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43 Here are a few life giving revelations which rise out of this word: 1. Christ us in spite of all of the confusion which may be around us. 2. Christ is willing to us if we are willing to Him. 3. As long as we have, it is not too late to be saved. 4. The only difference between the two sinners was their and God s. 5. All some people want out of Christ is for Him to save them from a bad. They have no particular desire to be saved from. 6. Salvation takes place and heaven is not more than a trip. 7. Christ can t guarantee that you will never face a, but He can guarantee that you will be with Him in. 4

5 SPEAKING LIFE TO HIS MOURNERS The Third Word "Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother." John 19:26-27 Thank God that the mockers were not the only ones at the cross. In addition to them were also a few faithful friends who mourned Him. Especially to be noted are his mother, Mary and his beloved disciple, John. As a minister all the way to the end, Jesus ministers to his mother from the cross. With these words, He speaks life to her and to all of those who mourn His death. "Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother." John 19: Woman, he cannot me, but he can stand and serve instead of me. 2. I will leave you, but I will not leave you. 3. The best way for you to honor and serve Me is to take care of the I love. 4. Treat her like a not just like a. 5. You have not lost a son. You have a son. You have not lost a brother, you have gained a. 6. He gave them a new with each other. Not just Jesus disciple and Jesus mother, but my son and my mother. 7. Comfort one with these words. 5

6 The Fourth Word SPEAKING LIFE TO HIS FOLLOWERS "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 First the dying Savior looks out from the cross and sees His accusers. Concerning them, He said: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Luke 23:34. Next, He looked sideways and promised a convicted criminal: "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Luke 23:43. After that, His eyes aimed downward as He saw His mother and His disciple in agonizing grief. To them He said: "Woman, this is your son." Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother." John 19:26-27 Alas, there was only on other place left to look and that was up. In this fourth word, Jesus looks up to God and cries out these words: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 On the face of it, it is clear that these words were spoken by Christ to God. Still, these words can be overheard by every believer and follower of Jesus Christ as being spoken for them. That is to say, this fourth word: 1. Gives followers permission to forsaken. 2. Gives followers permission to out loud that they feel forsaken. 3. Gives followers permission to express their sense of being forsaken directly to and others. 4. Gives followers permission to ask God a, while not God. 5. Gives followers a heads up that sometimes they will not get an answer to their most urgent requests. 6. Gives followers to proceed along the path of their purpose even 6

7 though they may not have full clarity. 7. Gives followers an that even when they feel forsaken by God that they should continue to and not God. 7

The Crucifixion & the Criminals

GOSPEL STORY CURRICULUM (NT) PRESCHOOL LESSON 37 The Crucifixion & the Criminals LUKE 23:42 43 BIBLE TRUTH GOD S FORGIVENESS IS AVAILABLE EVEN TO THE WORST SINNERS l e s s o n snapshot 1. OPENING ACTIVITY