25/03/2005 Famous Last Words

25/03/2005
"Famous Last Words"
Nicole Conner
CityLife Church Good Friday 10am

Lk 23:32-46, Jn 19:25-30, Mk 15:34

Jesus' last words:

1. "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
   · Humanity is in need of forgiveness.
   · We cannot earn God's forgiveness - we needed a Saviour.
   · Forgiveness towards others is a choice: a willingness to let go and give up the right to hurt back.
2. "Today you will be with Me in paradise."
   · Only through Jesus can you be reconciled with God.
   · Only in Christianity, a King is punished for the sin of a servant.
3. "Here is your son, here is your mother."
   · Jesus desires community.
   · Our lives must follow Christ's example to put others first.
4. ''My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
   · There is an inate fear in us of being separated from God.
   · We are reconciled with God, because of Jesus' sacrifice.
5. "I am thirsty."
   · Thirst, not starvation, is the most terrible human suffering.
   · Jesus shows us His humanity. Being perfectly human, He understands our suffering.
   · Jesus is both God and man.
   o Take away His divinity, and we take away our Saviour.
   o Take away His humanity, and we take away our Representative.
6. "It is finished."
   · We all have the desperate need to be complete.
   · We needed the hand of the Master Sculptor.
   · We are now reconciled: the plan of redemption is completed. (Col 1:19)
7. "Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit."
   · He lived a live totally abandoned to God.
   · Throughout His life, God was sovereign.
   · We can take comfort: in life and death, God reigns.
   · Jesus knew that to be separated from the body is to be in the presence of God.