Jesus is above all! He is the King of kings, The Lord of lords. He is the Perfect God! He is the only one!
We can learn from Jesus, If we pray, He speaks to us what we need to hear, if we praise him, His joy comes inside us and gives purpose to our lives.
If we read the bible, we can learn a lot from Jesus, whatever the situation.
In the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He taught us how to be blessed, more than Happy.
He said in Mathew 5:
“Blessed are the merciful, the pure heart, Blessed are the peacemakers, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
In Mathew 5 he says:
“You are the salt of the earth, You are the light of the world”
So, let shine your light before others! He taught us how to tell darkness to go away in His name! Where you are there is no darkness!
We have to shine our light to other people.
He taught us how to pray for our enemies, how to overcome anger.
He taught us how to pray to get to God’s heart.
With the story of the Good Samaritan, He taught us how to love our neighbours.
When the disciples wanted to shoo some kids away from Jesus, He taught us how we should love children and be like them, and have a pure heart and humble lifestyle.
He taught us about life in Mathew 6:25 “Do not worry about your life” God has taken care of us.
He taught us to persevere, to be confident and a lot of more things…
If you look at the bible, you can learn from Jesus.
Every word that comes from Jesus is full of wisdom and knowledge.
And today, I’d like to study with you the last 7 words of Jesus on the cross.
Even in a moment of pain and intense suffering, He was still teaching us.
On the cross, Jesus’ lungs were compressed and he had an immense difficulty in breathing. He had to make every effort to utter every word. Historians say that the suffocation was so severe that for Jesus to say something he put all the weight of his body on the nails in the hands and feet and completely lost all his breath… He through great length to leave us another great teaching which we will receive today.
We have 7 lessons about the last 7 words of Jesus.
1–Forgiveness liberates your soul
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
While some mocked him, others hung Him on the cross. They would say: Save to Yourself! Despite all of that, Jesus still cared to pray for them, to release undeserved forgiveness. So Jesus opened the way of salvation so that these soldiers could have the opportunity to be saved, just as the Roman officer went to see Jesus extinguished on the cross, gave glory to God and he said: Surely this was a righteous man. (Lk 23:47)
Jesus taught us to forgive.
When we do not forgive, it’s like the person you have a grudge against becomes attached to you, and then neither you or the person that wronged you can obtain the favour of God.
Pay attention in this: “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that this prisoner was you.”
It doesn’t matter who did the wrong thing, we just gotta forgive.
Just forgive’ This way you’re setting yourself and others free to give glory to God. Amen?
If the person you have a problem with is here, just fix it at the end of the meeting, if the person lives with you, don’t waste time. Fix it today.
If the person is far way from you, give them a call, send them a letter, do something to set yourself free!
The first word taught us on the cross: Forgiveness liberates your soul!
2–Redemption
Redemption means: the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. Jesus did this for us, and with the guy next to him on the cross.
“Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”Luke 23:43
Jesus said that to the crucified man at his side. The interesting thing is that when Jesus died, some of his disciples thought the story was over there, on the cross, some of them even went back to fishing. But the thief on the cross, even though he saw the situation Jesus was in, he believed in Him and in doing so, received eternal life. Because he believed, he was saved. He believed!
Everybody here has bad days. Sometimes we face big troubles and it’s so hard to conquer them.
If you are in bad situation and you cannot see a way out, if you thing there’s no getting out of it, let me tell you something! It’s not the end yet, this situation you are in right now, whatever it may be, it’s not the end.
Even when when it seems that everything is over. There’s no way out. Believe that Jesus will deliver you, because he redeemed you at the cross.
Look at what the bible says in Isaiah 43:1,2.
“But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
You were redeemed on the cross. Now if you pass trough the waters, God will be with you, if you pass through the fire, you won’t be burned! You were redeemed at the cross.
Remember that: In all things God works for the good of who those love him. Amen?
So, the second word on the cross taught us that we have received redemption and there is hope in all situations.
3-Take care of your family
“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”John 19:26,27
Jesus did not just think of Himself and what He was going through at that difficult moment. On the cross, in the middle of his suffering, He asked: “John, take care of Mary as a mother.” Jesus taught us that we should look after our family even in the most difficult times.
How is your family? Take care of your family
Don’t think just of yourself, think of your family, fight for them, fight for your relationship with your husband, your wife, your son and daughter. Do not let the bad days drive you away from them or destroy your family. Fight for them, take care of them. Love them! Jesus loved his mom and took care of her even when he was facing the worst day of his life.
Do not wait for the right time to say something, to fix something in your home. The right time is today. Love your family, take care of them.
4- Perseverance in the midst of suffering
“About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” )Mathew 27:46
At this moment, Jesus felt the weight of all our sins. He became a sacrifice for us, took our punishment, our pain and sickness and so he felt helpless. Jesus quotes a prophecy that is recorded in Psalms 22, as the suffering and victory of the Messiah.
Jesus taught us that we should persevere even in the midst of suffering, for victory will come. He suffered to bring us victory, life and salvation!
The bible says in Romans 5:3-5
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Persevere my brother and sister! You must have perseverance in the midst of suffering.
5- Follow the word of God
The bible says in John 19:28: “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
Jesus in the midst of his suffering, the greatest suffering in history, still finds the strength to fulfil the word of the Father, he said: I am thirsty!
They gave a kind of cheap wine from that time, fulfilling the prophecies that existed about him.
This shows us how important it is to follow God’s word in our lives, even in trials.
In Psalms 119:11 says: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
As Jesus fulfilled the word of God even as he was going through trouble, we have to keep the word of God in whatever situation we are facing.
We have to:
- Keep our word when we have made a deal with someone, even if that means losing money, you have to remember: I have to hide God’s word in my hear that I might not sin against Jesus.
- Follow the word of God by showing a good testimony with our life. We have to declare the word of God and to obey it, to put it into practice to bless our neighbours.
- Follow the word when we are facing hard times, stand firm on the Lord and get victory through our faith. As the bible says:
“for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” 1John 5:4
So, follow the word of God, have faith and overcome the world.
6- God’s Fatherhood and surrender
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.” Like 23:46
Jesus quoted Psalms 31:5 that says: “Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.”
The original version doesn’t say Father, but just: Into your hands I commit my spirit.
But when Jesus said it, he added first: Father, My father, Dad!
Jesus recognised God as a father. He included Father in his final words.
how good it is to see God as a Father. He loves us as his children. Whether the situation is good or bad, God, like a good Father, continues to love us.
If we move away from home, He, like a good Father, waits patiently for our return. He loves us.
When we wake up in the morning, and we are in a rush, we do not speak to God, we do not pray, He as a good Father will wait all day, and he’ll send signs, places people our way, situations that will remind us that we have a Father who wants a relationship with us. He loves us, he rejoices in our victory.
So, remember it: God is your father! He loves you. Doesn’t matter what’s happened until now, come back to the Father’s arms, come back to the Father’s house. He is waiting for you. Surrender yourself totally to him.
7-It’s finished
“A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”Jonh 19:29,30
It’s finished
Jesus has had a very specific mission since before the foundation of the world. He came down here to earth to fulfil it.
In Isaiah 53 we have an account of what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Isaías 53:4-5 “ “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Hallelujah, a great mission could only be accomplished by great a God.
Isaiah 45:22 says: “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”
Wow! I love this verse. Look to God, look to Jesus and be saved. The world can look to Jesus on the cross and be saved.
On that cross, Jesus said: It’s finished.
It means that now all mankind can look to Jesus. Our eyes have been open, the sacrifice made was perfect, now we can find salvation in Jesus.
On that cross, Jesus said: It’s finished.
The word Jesus used in Greek is Tetelestai.
You have to understand what this word meant at that time.
What does Tetelestai mean?
When someone had an almost unpayable debt, he would go to jail and the guards, collectors would put a paper at the prison door with a list of all the debts of the prisoner.
If he could somehow pay that debt, or someone in his family would help him, he would be released and they would write over that paper: Tetelestai. Its finished, All the debt has already been paid. There are no more debts! Now you are free from the accusation that was once held against you. This is what Tetelestai means, It’s finished!
Paul says it in Colossians 2:13,14:
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”
Hallelujah, it’s finished! Our debt, our sin was nailed on the cross! It’s over. We are saved by Grace! All condemnation is gone!
Do you get it? We don’t have any more debts, no more condemnation. Stop to think God doesn’t love you, stop thinking that your sin is too great for God forgive you.
You are already free! It’s finished! It’s over! Tetelestai!
- Jesus’ cry of Tetelestai is still echoing today!
When a sinner repents, Jesus enters into their home and lives there, bringing salvation, so we can remember “Tetelestai”. It’s done!
So it was with Zacchaeus “But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”Luke19:8-10
Does Jesus live in your home? Is there peace there? Can you feel the presence of angels in your home? I tell you: it’s finished! Jesus paid the price to save all your family and to live with you.
2– Jesus’ cry of Tetelestai is still echoing today!
When a sick person receives healing from Jesus.
This happened with that woman who touched Jesus. If you Read in Luke 8 you’re gonna see that for many years that sick woman fought against her illnesses, wasted her money in many different treatments until the day She could touch Jesus and She was totally healed.
Wait patiently on the Lord. He will come to help you. It’s finished! Tetelestai. You’re gonna be healed for His Glory!
3- Jesus’ cry of Tetelestai is still echoing today
When a person is spiritually dead, without plans, dreams, unwilling to live and they suddenly receive Jesus’ visit, Christ’s love reach them, cleansing all their wounds, resurrecting dreams, plans of God and bringing life. Tetelestai! It is already finished!
So it was with the son of the widow from Nain. The environment there was death, tragedy, disappointment and sadness until Jesus arrived. When Jesus arrived, everything changed.
In Luke 7:11-15 says:
“Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.”
To be widowed and childless at that time and age was a very humiliating and hopeless situation for a woman to be in. She would’ve been totally forsaken and excluded from society, as she would have no income and no way of staying alive.
Jesus pitied her and brought the child back from the dead, bringing her joy life and dignity back.
What is dead in your life that needs to be resurrected? What project has God placed in your heart that needs to be resurrected? Remember: Tetelestai! It’s done.
If you are sad, dead, you cannot dream, please say to your soul today: RAISE UP! Come on, raise up!
Say to your plan: Raise up! Dreams, come alive! I’ll live what God has prepared for me, because Jesus overcame it all on the cross! It’s finished! Tetelestai! It’s done!
Jesus has already paid the price for everything!
Remember that Jesus’ work is complete! Now we are joint heirs with Jesus. He has done all the work, now our role is to believe in the sacrifice and the words of Jesus “It is finished”. And hence, no longer be guided by the circumstances of life, but rather surrender control of your life in his hands that he has already finished the work for us and has an interest in blessing us!
Whatever the situation, do not give up; Remember that Jesus what has already won for us and helped us to win here on earth.
Tetelestai!
Just to reminde you:
This is what we learned from Jesus today:
Forgiveness, redemption, take care of your family, persevere, follow the world of God, fatherhood and Tetelestai, Its finished!