Limited Effort

We worship God even virtually not for long; we hope and pray to worship together in person sooner; but we hope and pray that God would reward such limited effort.

Virtual worship of God or in-person assembly, the Lord knows the sincere worshipper. But, even in virtual worship, we hope to grow deeper in our relationship with him!

Well, if we are to evaluate our faith in Christ, how do we know if we matured spiritually? How should we gauge or evaluate our spiritual maturity to be more and more like-Christ?

Our ultimate gauge to measure our spiritual journey is Jesus Christ himself.

How did Jesus Christ complete his life journey on earth? What can we learn from the 7 last words Jesus Christ on the cross?

The 7 last statements of Jesus Christ on the cross teach us about his character as the Son of God in human form, and how we could live in Christ-like lifestyle, and how we could exit in this world with godly dignity and legacy that may translate eternally.

In the first 3 of the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross, he ministered and interceded for others.

The 1^st, Jesus Christ had interceded for those who had persecuted him. He said in Luke 23:34:

³⁴ “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Next, Jesus Christ guaranteed assurance of eternal life of the crucified thief who believed him.

He said in Luke 23:43: ⁴³“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

And then, Jesus Christ had shown concern to Mary, the virgin who gave birth to him.

He said in John 19:26-27: ²⁶ When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

In the 4th of the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross, he expressed a feeling of being forsaken. God the Father left him alone to finish and complete his mission assignment on earth.

Jesus says in Matthew 27:46, ⁴⁶ “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

In the 5th of the 7 last word of Jesus on the cross, he said in John 19:28, ²⁸ “I am thirsty.”

His experience of physical need had opened a theological floodgate. Scholars suggest that his thirsty feeling on the cross can be experienced when one is dying due to a great loss of blood.

In the 6th of the 7 last word of Jesus on the cross was the final declaration of Jesus Christ that all sins of humanity had already been paid for. He said in John 19:30, ³⁰“It is finished!”

In the last of the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross, he ended his active participation and involvement in the work of God. After that, God the Father had taken care of everything.

Jesus said in Luke 23:46, ⁴⁶ “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

From the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross, what can we learn individually as believers?

Nanay Nelly

I am reminded of a phone conversation with Nanay Nelly. She called for prayer request. As I listened to her prayer request she said: “I am not yet finished!” “I am not yet finished!”

Nanay Nelly was almost 90 years of age; she cannot even walk, but she was very much involved in evangelism even. How did a senior citizen get herself involved in evangelism?

She wrote her testimony and her understanding of the gospel on pieces of paper and personally gave it to nurses and caregivers who took care of her needs. She had also devised a personalized evangelism tract. Nanay Nelly allowed me to read at least three different evangelism tracts, that she prepared to give to her nurses and caregivers.

When Nanay Nelly told me, “I am not yet finished!” it was not because she did not want to die; her aim was: “As long as she lives she desired to do the work of an evangelist.”

To share the gospel of Christ until our last breath is Christ-like lifestyle we must desire. At the cross, the Lord Jesus saved one more soul, the crucified thief, and he looked after the needs of those who followed him. Jesus Christ exemplified a godly lifestyle for Christians.

How can we be successful in following those examples of Jesus? We should fully submit to his Lordship and say: “Into your hand, Lord, I commit my spirit, my life, my whole being.”

Let’s say that together:  “Into your hand, Lord, I commit my spirit, my life, my whole being.”

Well, most often, we can identify with Jesus Christ when he was forsaken by God the Father.

In the 4th of the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross, he cried aloud in Matthew 27:46

⁴⁶“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Have you ever felt as if God had abandoned you? Have you counted how many times you had?

Jesus Christ the Son of God felt abandoned by his own Father and forsaken on the cross. Of all the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross, his 4^th or middle statement is in a question form. Some scholars suggest that, it is a rhetorical question that Jesus already knew the answer. Others argue that it’s human expression of emotion that supports the humanity of Jesus Christ. And, skeptics make an issue out of it to put the doctrine of Trinity under a questionable stance.

Practically, how do you personally interpret the 4^th of the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross?

ILLUSTRATION:

One of her teachers asked our daughter Lori to lead the singing of “O Canada” at the oath-taking ceremony for the new Canadians that was held at the Maples Collegiate.

I also took part in the said oath taking ceremony for the New Canadians; and I also sang the Canadian National anthem, “O Canada.” But, when the judge distributed the certificates for citizenship, Lori and I were not given any certificate of Citizenship at that time.

That is something I would call as “Federal Comedy.”

Similarly, many individuals love to sing worship songs; others lead in worship services, but on the Judgment Day, they may not be accepted as citizens of heaven, an “eternal tragedy.”

Do you know anyone who assumed that they can be qualified as citizens of heaven because they are singing praise songs or leading worship services?

Just as leading the singing of “O Canada” cannot make one a citizen of Canada, song leading or worship leading cannot make one a citizen of heaven

Do not wait until it is too late for you to cry: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.”

The Lord Jesus declares in Matthew 7:21-23:  ²¹Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²²Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Today, we are reminded that Jesus Christ was crucified and paid the penalty for our sins. He resurrected and returned to heaven and prepares a place for you and me. If you are not very sure yet, that you are a citizen of heaven, pray with me now:

“Lord Jesus, give me faith to believe in you. Forgive me and thank you that you paid for my sins.  Be my Lord and Savior, please. Help me receive your gift of eternal life. And, let your Holy Spirit fill and empower me now and forever more. Amen!”

If you happen to doubt that you have received your eternal life, keep praying that the Lord would help to be assured practically and personally until you would strongly sense it.

If you are very sure that you are a genuine believer of Christ, and you are very assured of your eternal life, this is also a time for you to thank the Lord for his gift of everlasting life.

The 7 last words of Jesus on the cross help us evaluate check our spiritual lifestyle.

Let’s reflect on the following questions: Have I prayed for those who are persecuting me? Have I shared the gospel to those who are perishing? Have I ministered to those who are serving in Christian ministries? Or should I keep on feeling sorry because of the many problems that come my way and cry: “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?”

Do I sense thirst for righteousness? Am I finishing strong in the marathon of my spiritual life journey? Have I completely committed my life, heart, mind and soul to God?

Shall we pause for a minute and seek empowerment from the Holy Spirit of Christ, for us to live a godly lifestyle that Jesus Christ had exemplified for us to imitate.

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