ORS-29 The Message Jesus Gave By His Seven Words from the Cross

The Horrible Pain of the Cross After Pilate’s washing his hands of the matter, Jesus was seized by calloused Roman soldiers, led through the streets of Jerusalem known today as the Via Dolorossa, and taken out the Damascus Gate to the public place of Roman execution. There beside the heavily traveled road to Damascus, that headed north out of Jerusalem, Jesus was crucified: in full view of all the city dwellers as well as those who traveled down the highway to and from Damascus. There the death squad, who were the pros of Roman crucifixion: rudely stripped him, and harshly pushed Christ's already bloodied and torn body onto a rough and filthy wooden beam. Then those reused, filthy iron spikes were pounded through Christ's wrists and ankles as mankind murdered their Maker with carpenter’s tools. After they cruelly pierced Him, they raised Him aloft and hung Him upon a cross to be seen by all. The soldiers wiped off their hands, collected their tools, and took their stations around the crosses to stand guard, until death came to those three condemned criminals. But in the midst of all that there is a stir, the prisoner on the middle cross, held by spikes, crowned by thorns, and covered by bleeding wounds is about to speak to His cruel tormentors. His lips begin to move: Jesus spoke from the Cross. He spoke in pain. He spoke in short gasps. He spoke exactly seven times. To find that first message from the Cross, turn back with me to Luke 23: 32-43 for the first time Jesus speaks. WORD ONE: Jesus offers forgiveness What was the very first subject that Jesus introduces to us from His cross? He offers Forgiveness. In what is accepted by all as Christ's first word from the Cross, we can hear Christ's heart of compassion: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” For more of Dr. John Barnett's content go to DiscoverTheBook.org (ORS-29)