LECTURE 4 — Christ’s Seven Sayings from the Cross (30 Minutes) Primary Text (KJV) Matthew 27:46 “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” 0:00–6:00 — Introduction Quiz #9 and #10 Before we examine the sayings themselves, we must understand why there are seven sayings, and why Scripture preserves them so carefully. Quiz #9 Seven is the number of completion. From Genesis to Revelation, seven consistently marks divine completeness.
- God created the world in six days and rested the seventh (Genesis 2:2).
- The lampstand had seven branches (Exodus 25:37).
- Revelation is structured around sevens—churches, seals, trumpets, and vials.
So when the Holy Spirit records seven sayings from the cross, He is showing us that Christ’s work of redemption is complete, whole, and lacking nothing. Quiz #10 How many of Christ’s sayings are direct Old Testament quotations?
Answer: Two.
- Saying #4 quotes Psalm 22:1
- Saying #7 quotes Psalm 31:5
- Saying #5 explicitly fulfills Scripture
Even while suffering and dying, Jesus Christ is consciously fulfilling the Word of God. He is not a helpless victim—He is the obedient Son completing the Father’s will. 6:00–27:00 — The Seven Sayings of Christ (Quiz #11–#17) Saying #1 — Compassion for Blinded Sinners (Quiz #12) Luke 23:34 (KJV) “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” This is the first word from the cross, and it is not anger, not judgment, and not self-defense—it is intercession. Jesus prays for the very men who are nailing Him to the cross. “They know not what they do” does not mean they are innocent—it means they are blind. They know they are executing a man, but they do not know they are crucifying the Lord of glory. This teaches us that ignorance does not remove guilt, but Christ’s mercy reaches even the ignorant sinner. Saying #2 — Converting a Seeking Sinner (Quiz #11) Luke 23:43 (KJV) “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” One thief mocks. One thief believes. This verse destroys salvation by works:
- No baptism
- No sacraments
- No church membership
- No good deeds
Just faith in Christ. Salvation here is:
- Immediate — “To day”
- Personal — “thou…with me”
- Certain — Christ gives assurance
This is salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Saying #3 — Caring for His Mother (Quiz #15) John 19:26–27 (KJV) “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” Even while bearing the sins of the world, Jesus fulfills His responsibility as a Son. He provides for His mother’s care, entrusting her to a faithful disciple. True spirituality never neglects earthly responsibility.
Devotion to God does not cancel duty to family. Saying #4 — Crying Out to God (Quiz #17) Matthew 27:46 (KJV) “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” This is the darkest moment in human history. For the first time, Jesus does not address God as “Father,” but as “My God.” Direct Old Testament Quotation #1 Psalm 22:1 (KJV) “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” This cry is not unbelief—it is prophetic fulfillment. The reason for the forsaking is sin-bearing: 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” God did not stop loving the Son, but fellowship was broken as judgment fell on sin....
