Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:45–46 NKJV)
Please take notice also of John’s record of the last words that Jesus spoke.
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:28–30)
Surely, reading these words in these two texts has an immediate impact on anyone who believes in both Jesus Christ and His Heavenly Father. The feeling is overwhelming. It is evident that the physical misery that Jesus encountered on the cross, as terrible as it was, was less painful to Him than His feeling of being forsaken by His Father.
Another remarkable exhibition of the selflessness of Jesus was His concern more for others than for Himself. There He was, being ridiculed, being spat upon (Matthew 27:30), being beaten, etc., but in spite of it all, He expressed greater concern for the care of His mother, Mary. What a compliment! Jesus and John already had a very close relationship, but trusting John to care for and provide for the Savior’s mother is about as great a compliment as can be made!
Christ went to the cross voluntarily—for our benefit. He made this clear in His statements in John 10. In verse 11, our Lord said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” In verse 15, He added, “…I lay down My life for the sheep.” He continued His declaration in verses 17 and 18. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
Jesus gave His life, not just for godly people but also for the ungodly, in hopes that they will repent and follow Him. His concern, even on the cross, was more for others than for Himself.
Believe it or not, we all have had a part in driving those nails through the hands and feet of the Son of God. His role in being nailed to the cross was to make possible the washing of our sins away with the only sin-cleanser, the blood of God’s Son and the Son of a most incredible mother.
It is imperative that we accept and acknowledge the fact that our sins put our Savior on that cross. However, it is also possible for us to be so touched by His love and self-sacrifice that we express our gratitude and love by committing ourselves more to Him and less to self.
Paul tried to help mankind understand the love of Jesus for us in spite of the cross. This apostle previously had worked hard to destroy the church, the people for whom Christ gave His blood in order that their sins could be washed away. Paul later told the church in Ephesus, “Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet–smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2). In 5:25, he further emphasized the love of Christ for the church to the extent that He gave His life for it.
What do you think about during your participation in the Lord’s Supper? Granted, it is often easy for our concentration to be interrupted by various distractions. However, we can improve our ability to overcome distractions by reminding ourselves why we are partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine. These emblems are to help us remember the amount of love that both the Father and the Son showed for us. We owe it to Them to never be careless about showing and expressing our love and gratitude for the greatest gift mankind can ever receive.
Back in the 1800’s, the renowned Horatius Bonar wrote the words for a song that should reflect the understanding, sympathy and gratitude of every Christian, even today.
‘Twas I that shed the sacred blood;
I nailed Him to the tree;
I crucified the Christ of God;
I joined the mockery.
Of all that shouting multitude
I feel that I am one;
And in that din of voices rude
I recognize my own.
Around the cross the throng I see,
Mocking the Sufferer’s groan;
Yet still my voice it seems to be,
As if I mocked alone.
