This episode opens a series on the seven sayings of Christ from the Cross by focusing on the first: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This first prayer from the Cross fulfilled Isaiah 53:12 by making intercession for the transgressors—Jewish leaders, the crowd, Pilate, Roman soldiers, and Israel nationally—securing the Father’s forgiveness and granting the nation “one more year” (from the resurrection to Stephen’s stoning) to repent. When they refused, God interrupted Israel’s prophetic program with the current dispensation of grace, in which all can receive that same forgiveness today simply by trusting in Christ’s death and resurrection.

In this episode, we explore Christ’s second saying from the Cross: “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). At Calvary, the two armed robbers who were crucified alongside Jesus both initially mocked and blasphemed Him along with the crowd. The one thief, however, suddenly repented after witnessing Christ’s silent grace and prayer “Father, forgive them,” rebuking his companion for not fearing God, confessing his own just guilt and Christ’s perfect innocence, and pleading in faith, “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.” Jesus immediately assured him of his saving faith, showing that no one is too far gone for salvation, and that humanity is divided like the two thieves around the Cross—those who believe in Christ and His finished work, and those who do not.

On the Cross, even in His pain and suffering, we find Christ thinking of others. We see it when He looked over to the one thief who believed on Him and comforted him. And we see it again, here in this episode, demonstrated in how He took care of His mother. The third saying —“Woman, behold thy son!” to Mary and “Behold thy mother!” to John (John 19:26-27)—shows Christ selflessly caring for His grieving mother by entrusting her to the care of a faithful spiritual family member, the beloved disciple John, who had earlier fled Gethsemane but returned. This act of grace and restoration at the Cross reminds us that even those who fail can be recommissioned, and that Christ’s love provides for our greatest needs—both physical care and eternal salvation—while we are made one in the household of God.

This episode examines the fourth saying from the Cross—“My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46)—which came at the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), after three hours of supernatural global darkness, when the Father turned away from His Son, as Christ was made sin for us and bore the full wrath and judgment of God against the sins of the world. This was the only time Jesus addressed God without calling Him “Father,” revealing the infinite agony of separation within the Godhead. Christ died alone for us, so that through His love, grace, and all-sufficient sacrifice we might live eternally with Him.

The fifth saying from the Cross—“I thirst” (John 19:28)—is the focus of this lesson and was spoken by Jesus after the three hours of darkness, that Scripture might be fulfilled. As fully man, He experienced the raging physical thirst of crucifixion, having earlier refused the pain-deadening, gall-mixed wine to bear our full suffering, yet later accepting sour wine on hyssop to fulfill prophecy and moisten His throat for His final declarations. This cry also revealed a deeper spiritual thirst—the infinite agony of separation from the Father while bearing the world’s sins and God’s wrath—and shows that Christ thirsted and died alone as our Substitute, so that by simple faith in His finished work we are eternally quenched, forgiven, and delivered from judgment.

“It is finished” (John 19:30)—the sixth saying from the Cross—was Jesus’ triumphant shout, declaring that the work of redemption was fully completed: sin’s penalty paid in full, prophecies fulfilled, the Father’s justice satisfied, and the perfect sacrifice offered once for all. In this episode, we are reminded that Christ’s cry announced that nothing more was needed—He had finished His labor of love, borne the world’s sins, and provided eternal acceptance and freedom for all who have faith and trust in Him as their personal Savior. Thus, salvation requires no works or additions from us, only simple faith in what Christ has already done on our behalf.

The seventh and final saying from the Cross—“Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit” (Luke 23:46)—was Jesus’ calm, confident last utterance after “It is finished,” as He bowed His head and voluntarily dismissed His spirit, dying willingly and in full control after paying sin’s penalty in His humanity, while also exercising His divine authority. The lesson explains that Christ’s voluntary death enables our spiritual victory and freedom—He laid down His life so we who have faith in Him might live eternally. This final statement of perfect trust shows that, unlike every other death, Jesus’ was unique: He died not for His own sins but for ours, and believers can die with the same peace, knowing the Father receives us into His safe and loving hands forever.