This is part 3 of "Last Words," our sermon series at Fusion Christian Church where we examine the final seven sayings of Jesus before he died. What is the significance of Jesus' last words? As we look forward to Easter, it's time to reflect on our Savior's final moments on the cross. In this message, Pastor Zac doubles up and covers two statements of Jesus from the cross. In the first are words of love, in the second are words of anguish.

Words of Love.

Jesus entrusted care of his mother to John, the beloved disciple. By doing this, he demonstrates two biblical principles. The first is that we should honor our Father and Mother. This is a principle so important that God included it in the Ten Commandments. Even though it is difficult to get along with our parents sometimes, it is still imperative that we honor them. By choosing to honor our parents we honor God as well. God placed you with your parents, and by honoring them you respect the sovereign will of God.

The second principle Christ demonstrated by ensuring the care of his mother, Mary, is to care for others. Jesus is especially demonstrating the scriptural command to care for the poor, the orphan, and the widow (since Mary was a widow at this point). By caring for those around us who need it the most, we demonstrate the love of Christ.

Words of Anguish.

In the next statement of Jesus on the cross, he cries out to God the Father. In his statement, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me," he references Psalm 22, which is a prophetic passage written almost a thousand years before his birth. Jesus makes this cry not only to fulfill scripture, but to show the anguish he felt at the wrath of God being poured out on him. He underwent this punishment so that we would not have to suffer it ourselves, for we could not endure it.

Jesus, being perfectly righteous, died a sinners death in order that we, being sinners, might be considered perfectly righteous. When we put our faith in Jesus, God looks at us and sees Christ's perfection rather than our sin. This is the beauty of the cross.