Page 33 - BMTYS Yuvadarshanam 2024-25

Article

THE SEVEN SAYINGS FROM

THE CROSS
Sneha Elsa Santhosh
(Roll No. 1641)

The Seven Last Words from the Cross are the seven expressions biblically

attributed to Jesus during his crucifixion.

1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Stephen, the first Christian martyr prayed in similar manner. “Lord, do not hold

this sin against them.” (Acts 7:60) in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught
them to turn the other cheek if one strikes you. Jesus bore no resentment. He did

not wish to punish his enemies. He knew he was born to die on the cross. This is

the expression of the depth of forgiving love of God for us.

2. “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

The reason behind this statement was that one of the criminals crucified with
Jesus railed against him saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save your-self and us”

(Luke 23:39). In the next verse we find the other, the penitent thief, rebuked him

saying “Do you not fear God”. we are receiving the due reward of our deeds, but
this man has done nothing wrong”. The worst sinner until the last moment of his

life has a chance to receive Christ.

3. “Woman, behold your son”; “Behold your mother.” (John 19:26-27)

Some identify the behold disciple with John the apostle. In asking the one to
behold others, turning towards other is to establish new relationship with each

other. In this case between Mary and the disciple. John reports that accordingly
the beloved disciple took Mary the mother of Jesus to his home.

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34; Mathew 27:46)

These words from the cross were recorded both by Mark and Mathew. This is
called the “Cry of Dereliction”, a state of being forsaken or left out. This cry

expresses that this was the one human experience Jesus had never passed
through before. He bore our sins alone. Jesus has borne it for our sake and we

will never experience such desolation in our lives. What a wonderful Saviour he is.

5. “I thirst.” (John 19:30)

When Jesus said, “I thirst”, it implies that he bore the suffering for our sake until

the end. It also implies that his passion in every detail fulfilled the Scriptures
written long back. In essence this symbolizes his spiritual thirst for man’s salvation.

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