Many years ago my pastor told me, "There are only two kinds of religion in this world; the two letter-kind and the four letter-kind." When I heard this I was very intrigued that all religions could be narrowed down to just two schools of thought. He went on to explain that the two letter-kind is the word "do" which means what you must do in order to make it to heaven or an elevated place in the next life. The four letter-kind is "done" that is what has been done for you because you can't "do."
Good Friday is here. This is the day that we observe what has been done for us. This sacrifice of ours to our God - one that He provided - is for the atonement of our sins. While atonement was being made for us by Jesus, He said the following from our cross:
THE FIRST WORD "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Gospel of Luke 23:34
How many times have we been wronged for the slightest offense and hold back forgiveness. However, He took the punishment that was ours.
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THE SECOND WORD "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." Gospel of Luke 23:43
We often hold our tongues rather than proclaim the Gospel to our neighbors. However, He is the Gospel and freed the captives by taking our punishment.
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THE THIRD WORD "Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son".
Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother." Gospel of John 19:26-27
Throughout our lives we have despised and held back honor from our parents. Jesus died for this sin. He loved His mother and provided for her from the cross.
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THE FOURTH WORD "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34
Many times we forsake God. Jesus would pray this Psalm when God could not look upon Him and would do for us what we could not.
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THE FIFTH WORD "I thirst"
Gospel of John 19:28
In the Beatitudes, Jesus said, "Blessed are you that hunger and thirst for righteousness." When we should thirst for the gifts of God, we drink from what this world has to offer. Jesus poured out His blood to for us to satisfy our souls by cleansing us from all sin.
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THE SIXTH WORD When Jesus had received the wine, he said,
"It is finished";
and he bowed his head and handed over the spirit.
Gospel of John 19:30
PAID IN FULL!!! For all that we could not do and for all that we have done. DONE!
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THE SEVENTH WORD Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit": Gospel of Luke 23:46
On the last day we will cry out the same because of Him and what He has Done for us.
Who on the tree of the cross didst give salvation unto mankind that, whence death arose, thence Life also might rise again; and that he who by a tree once overcame might likewise by a tree be overcome, through Christ, our Lord; through whom with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Thy glorious name, evermore praising Thee......
Driving past a church the other day I noticed the message on their sign. It said, "While Jesus was on the cross, you were on His mind."
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