As we move through the church calendar, today is a significant day in Jesus’ final week before He was crucified.

Some Christians call this day “Maundy Thursday” which is also known as Holy Thursday, marking Jesus’ Last Supper and the washing of His disciples’ feet. According to GotQuestions.org, maundy is derived from the Latin word for command. In other words, Jesus gave the command that the disciples should love and serve each other.

Tomorrow is the most important day of the week, Good Friday, when Jesus went to the cross for our sins. That act, later followed up by Resurrection Sunday (Easter), bridged the vast chasm separating God and man, giving all who believe in the redemptive work of Jesus the promise of eternal life.

While hanging on the cross Jesus continued to minister to those in His presence. Despite having been stripped, flogged, scourged and beaten to a pulp, Jesus continued to reach out, uttering what are commonly known as the seven last words (phrases) of Christ before He gave up His life.

Those words were:

1. Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Translated, the phrase means: My God, My God why have you forsaken me? God the Father turned away from God the Son as Jesus bore our sins, a temporary move resulting in our Savior feeling that separation. Reference Matthew 27:46, Psalm 22:1.

2. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Though being mocked by those who crucified Him, Jesus recognized that those carrying out the deed did not understand what they were doing. Reference Luke 23:34.

3. I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. Spoken to the thief on the cross who recognized Jesus as His Savior. Even in His final hour, Jesus reached out and touched the life of a thief who repented of his sins. Reference Luke 23:42,43.

4. Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit. Jesus’ life was not taken from Him. Instead, He gave His life up and was in full control of the situation. Reference Luke 23:46.

5. Dear woman, here is your son!” and “Here is your mother!” Jesus made sure that His earthly mother was cared for by committing her to His disciple, John. In those days women were fully dependent on men for their sustenance. Reference John 19:26,27

6. I am thirsty. Jesus was not only thirsty, but He was also fulfilling prophecy as outlined in Psalm 69:21. Reference John 19:28.

7. It is finished! Jesus’ suffering was over and the sin debt was paid. There is nothing that we can do to add to or subtract from what our Savior did for us on the cross. Reference John 19:30.

Truly, we serve an Awesome God!

Photo Credit: Vivek Chugh

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