As we look to another Good Friday I have in March read through the four gospels colour coding a new bible (a present for someone, it's such a blessing). It struck me as I read the gospels how many times the LORD Jesus prophesied or taught his disciples that His death and suffering was coming and would be a fulfilment of God's words. Here are two of them. The disciples were clearly forewarned, yet it went over their heads, as it does with us so often.
Luke 9:22
Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.
If Jesus had not died there'd be no salvation bought for us, as sinner's needing a Saviour. How empty and meaningless our life would be! a living death.
*Seven sayings of Jesus on the cross appear in the four gospels but no book has them all.
They show His compassion, His humanity and His suffering.
"Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
Luke 23:34
"Then said Jesus, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.."
"I thirst". John 19:28
"After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst."
"My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me".
Matthew 27:46
"And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
"Into Thy hands, I commit my Spirit."
Luke 23:46
"And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."
"It is finished."
Salvation's price was paid in the full.
John 19:30
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."
* the other two sayings were His care for His mother who He entrusted to the care of the apostle John. John 19:27
linking the hand done Illuminated text up with Word Art Wednesday
1 comment:
A post resounding with truth Shaz - beautifully written.
Yes, I noted in a reading just the other day that although Jesus was talking of His death to come, the disciples did not understand it!
May your Easter be richly blessed, dear Shaz
Maxine
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