Special Words for the Season

[Float your cursor over the Scriptures and the verse will open in a pop-up.]

Allen C. Myers, in the Eerdmans Bible Dictionary has given the traditional order of the seven recorded “words” of Christ from the Cross as:

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

(2) to one of those being crucified with him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43),

(3) to Mary his mother and “the disciple whom he loved,” “Woman, behold, your son” and “Behold, your mother” (John 19:26–27),

(4) “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (Matt. 27:46 par. Mark 15:34),

(5) “I thirst” (John 19:28),

(6) “It is finished” (John 19:30), and

(7) “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46)

All of this He suffered for sinners. He was manifesting what Paul said in Romans 5:8. What a gracious Savior is He.

At Calvary  --  by William R. Newell, 1895

Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died On Calvary. Refrain: Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me; There my burdened soul found liberty At Calvary. By God’s Word at last my sin I learned; Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned, Till my guilty soul imploring turned To Calvary. Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything, Now I gladly own Him as my King, Now my raptured soul can only sing Of Calvary! Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! Oh, the grace that brought it down to man! Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span At Calvary!