Nearly two thousand years ago Jesus the Christ was betrayed, abandoned by His followers and illegally taken into custody. He was the subject of six illegal trials, facing patently false accusations with a stacked jury and perjured witnesses. The outcome was predetermined. He was to be executed. In the process he was beaten beyond recognition, flogged, mocked, blasphemed and tortured.

The shell of the man that remained carried His own cross part way to the place of His execution. His garments were stripped and soldiers gambled for them stripping away the last vestiges of His dignity. He was nailed hand and foot and raised on a cross to die between two thieves. Even as He hung there dying he was tormented mocked and blasphemed.

While Satan and the demons rejoiced in the background (my belief, Scripture is silent in the topic in the gospel narrative) waiting for the moment they believed would bring about victory, Our Lord uttered seven phrases upon that cross.

He spoke words of forgiveness.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34 NIV

The suffering son of God offered words of salvation

Jesus answered him (the thief), "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:41-42 NIV

The only one to be fully God and fully man shows affection

When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear 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 19:25-26 NIV

The Christ cried out words of suffering

"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46 NIV

Jesus said, "I am thirsty."John 19:28 NIV

The Lamb of God proclaimed words of victory

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30 NIV

Knowing His final destination and victory the bread of life uttered words of contentment

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46 NIV

Of course on this side of the resurrection we know that was not the end. He was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Aromatic. The tomb had a large rock rolled in front of it, was sealed by the imperial seal of Rome and guarded day and night by a team of elite Roman soldiers. Death did not deter the Christ. He rose. The stone did not slow Him down it was moved. The guards did not get in His way; they did not even know He was leaving.

Over the next 40 days he was seen alive by hundreds of people. The testimony of the Scriptures and non-biblical works makes the resurrection one of, if not the most well documented events in early history. It is fact not fiction.

With His death our sins were paid for. With His resurrection He proved His claims and showed that it was truly possible for us to be with Him in glory. That is reason to rejoice.

Until next time, rejoice because He is risen. He is risen indeed.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed

Kevin