THE CROSS: HIS PAIN! YOUR GAIN!
By Frank Eiklor and Cecilia Contreras
LESSON 17
Jesus Christ endured six hours of indescribable pain while nailed to a cross. He uttered only seven brief phrases from the moment the nails tore into his flesh until that final breath put an end to His sufferings.
Those seven sayings will live forever as proof that it was only through His pain and sacrifice that those who trust Him would find gain and acceptance! Take a look at the following. Then you, like Paul, will never cease to glory in the Cross and its eternal message of love that knows no limits—the love of God fully expressed—for you!
1) In His pain:
Matthew 27:46—Jesus cried with a loud voice saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
So He can say to you:
Hebrews 13:5—…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
2) In His pain:
Luke 23:34—Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
So He can say to you:
I John 1:9—If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
3) In His pain:
Luke 23:43—And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
So He can say to you:
John 17:24—Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedest me before the foundation of the world.
4) In His pain:
John 19:26—When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
So He can say to you:
Matthew 11:28—Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
5) In His pain:
John 19:28—After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
So He can say to you:
John 7:37,38—In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
6) In His pain:
John 19:30—It is finished…
So He can say to you:
2 Corinthians 5:17—Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
7) In His pain:
Luke 23:46— Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit…
So He can say to you:
I Peter 5:7—Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
CONCLUSION:
It’s an old song that still tells a story: “When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.”
