“I thirst.” This simple statement that Jesus made before he died almost seems out of place amongst the other more dramatic statements he made from the cross. Yet, this seemingly insignificant, utilitarian statement is recorded by John alone; and, with John, almost every seemingly insignificant statement always points to some deeper meaning… Let’s get into our scripture reading for today; then, we can dig a little deeper into where John might be going… Here’s Jesus’ 5th statement from the cross, found in the Gospel of John (19:28-29, NLT)… Jesus knew...
The Gospels record seven last statements of Jesus. Luke and John record three each, but Matthew and Mark each tell us of only one statement Jesus made from the cross. Surely, Jesus said more than that … but for these two Gospel writers, this one statement was all that needed to be recorded. … For many, it is the most moving, disturbing, and powerfully haunting statement of the seven: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These words reflect not only the darkness of this horrific experience Jesus...
On the day that Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem—that first Palm Sunday, I can almost imagine that he could see right through the praises and accolades of those in attendance. The symbol of riding on the back of a donkey’s colt—one that had never been ridden—was a sign of royalty. Indeed, here was the King—our King, the One whom God had sent in his infinite wisdom to save us from our sins—literally from the sin that we were born into. But, the majority of His world missed it....
