One Lord

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)

The Scriptures state that there is "one Lord" (Ephesians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 8:6). They also declare that Jesus of Nazareth is "Lord of all." (Acts 10:36) "Lord" means master, or one who is supreme in authority. That is why we are to do all "in the name of the Lord Jesus." (Colossians 3:17) No one, except Jesus, is authorized to be man's spiritual Lord. He was made both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).

Two Thieves

"Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left." (Matthew 27:38)

Jesus' crucifixion between two thieves fulfilled an Old Testament prophecy: "And He was numbered with the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:12; Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37) This one, who was without sin (Hebrews 4:15; John 8:46), died in the company of sinners as a sin sacrifice to redeem sinful man from his sins. Living in the world among sinners, God's sinless Son gave Himself to save sinners. What love. What a sacrifice.

Three Crosses

And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. (John 19:17-18)

Crucifixion on a wooden cross, a Roman form of execution, was a horrible way to die. The cross represented death, and Jesus taught His disciples that they must take up their crosses and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). They had to be prepared to offer their Lord the ultimate sacrifice-- faithfulness until death (Revelation 2:10; Cf. Philippians 2:8). On the cross of shame and suffering, Jesus endured agony to dedicate the new covenant with His blood and provide redemption from sin for all who are faithful (Hebrews 9:11-22). We should recall the "old rugged cross" because of who died on it and the significant part it played in our salvation and eternal destiny.

Four Soldiers

"Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also, the tunic." (John 19:23)

Four Roman soldiers were commissioned to carry out the horrible and disgusting task of crucifixion. They stripped the condemned of His garments and divided them among themselves for their own possession (John 19:23-24). These soldiers were only doing their jobs; yet, they were also fulfilling God's will and Old Testament prophecy (John 19:24; Psalm 22:18). They witnessed our Savior's suffering and death {Matthew 27:36), and the centurion exclaimed his belief that Jesus was a righteous man and the Son of God (Luke 23:47; Mark 15:39; Matthew 27:54).

Five Wounds

"Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself...Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." (Luke 24:39; John 20:27)

When Jesus was crucified, His hands and His feet were "pierced," and His side was pierced with a spear. "But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out...And again another Scripture says, They shall look on Him whom they pierced." (John 19:33-34,37). These five wounds presented the disciples with physical evidence that Jesus was real (not a spirit or hallucination), and that He had indeed been crucified, died, and rose again. His wounds were inflicted on our behalf, for "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) We enjoy spiritual healing because He was wounded for us.

Six Hours

"Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him ...And it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour." (Mark 15:25; Luke 23:44)

Jesus suffered on the cross for six hours. Six hours is not a very long time, but these were the six most important hours in human history--the Lamb of God was sacrificed for the sins of the world. Three of the hours were spent in midday darkness that should have arrested the minds of the witnesses to the importance of the occasion. It was a six-hour countdown to the new covenant and the opening of a new and living way to the Father and His grace (Hebrews 10: 19-20). Our Lord endured six hours of suffering and death so that we might enjoy an eternal habitation.

Seven Sayings

• "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do"
• "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
• "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
• "Woman, behold your son! Behold your mother!"
• "I thirst!"
• "It is finished."
• "Father, into Your hands I commend My spirit."

(Luke 23:34; Matthew 27:46; Luke 23:43; John 19:26-27,28,30; Luke 23:46)

The words Jesus spoke from the cross were instructive. They exemplified the principles of forgiveness, trust, hope, love, obedience, and submission. Jesus was well aware of the circumstances. He knew that He was fulfilling the prophetic Scriptures and His Father's will. As death approached, Jesus declared as complete the great work of saving mankind from sin. He died for you and me. Are you willing to submit to His will and obey Him?