He said “Abba, Father; forgive them,
For they know not what they do”
How many times has He forgiven us
When again we crucify Him anew?
He said “Verily I say unto thee;
Today, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise”
The repentant thief on the other cross
Knew his Lord was paying his sin price.
He said “Woman, behold thy son!”
And "Son, behold thy mother!”
John and Mary could take comfort
In His love, and theirs for each other.
He said “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani;
My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
How His soul must have been tortured!
As He bore the sins of all humanity.
He said “I….thirst” after a long while
But for vinegar - or His Father’s face?
The gall could never relieve the thirst
Or the hunger for Abba’s love and grace.
He said then “It is finished”
The wages of our sin had been paid
For He knew we could never recompense
Our debts, much too heavy to be weighed
He said “Abba, Father into Thy hands
My Spirit, I now commit”
And He quietly gave up the Ghost
As the veil of the temple quaked and split.
Seven statements He made on the cross
In His words are many lessons learned….
To forgive, to love, to be assured of heaven
To comfort and even doubt….grace unearned.
To thirst and hunger for His righteousness
To finish strong the race that we run
Then when we come to the end of this life
To commit our spirit into the hands…of God’s own Son.
Thank You, Jesus. I love You…..
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