Seven words after the Cross:
We are all familiar with the seven words spoken by Messiah on the cross. Countless sermons have been preached on these seven words. Every Good Friday, from thousands of pulpits over the world, new meanings are given to these seven words. Have you ever wondered about the first seven words of Messiah after the cross? Seven words of comfort and hope! The first seven words of the risen Messiah give a message from Elohim to the Church…His people.
Read St.John.20:1-29. Mary Magdalene had gone to the sepulchre ‘the first day of the week, early, when it was yet dark’, that is after sunset on Sabbath (Saturday), to see the Lord. The tomb was empty! Messiah had risen! Mary stood at the sepulchre, weeping.
1. ‘Woman, why weepest thou?’ v.15.
The first words spoken by Messiah were to a woman in a garden. It was in another garden that the Lord asked the first woman a question and as a result of her confession, sin entered into the world. Mary is weeping. Think of all the tears that have flowed since Eve, tears because of our sins. Yahshua did not take away her tears but is the answer to the reason for our tears. Rev.21: 4, ‘And Elohim shall wipe away all tears’. There shall be no more sorrow because Messiah was crucified for our sins and has defeated satan.
2. ‘Mary’. v16.
Yahshua called her by name. The Saviour knows each of us by our names. Thomas, who was a doubter, was called by name. In the resurrection Yahshua knows us by name because we are the sons of Elohim. John.10:14, ‘I am the good shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine’. If you do not know when the Lord is speaking to you, then you are headed for trouble. The disciples who were with Mary went away when they saw the empty tomb, but Mary stayed back. Those who love the Lord more get greater blessings.
3.’Go tell my bretheren’. v.17.
Mary was given the message of the resurrection. The message that sin was nailed to the cross. The message that we have hope beyond the grave. The message of resurrection for ourselves and of the great re-union. (1 Thes.4:13-18) Mary was given that message and she gave it to the disciples. Now, we have that message to give to the rest of the world.
4.’Peace be unto you, as my Father has sent me, even so send I you’. v.19.
The promise of peace. The peace of Elohim and with Elohim. The peace that passes all understanding. Sin takes away peace from us and causes us to forget Elohim. But Yahshua is promising us peace and not rebuking or scolding us. In this world we are surrounded by all troubles and temptations but Messiah is offering us peace. How do we find it? Through the Prince of Peace! This message of peace is what we have to preach. This is a call to service and the power to serve. This is the reason he left us on earth instead of taking us away. ‘Go ye therefore and teach all nations….’ (Matt.28:19-20)
5. ‘Receive ye the Holy Ghost’.v.22.
We are powerless without Him. He puts power within us by filling us with the Holy Spirit. He promised us that he will not leave us comfortless, He promised us the Holy Spirit who will teach us all things. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are going to preach the word. It is the Holy Spirit that will sustain us, teach us what to speak and guide us in times of troubles and sorrows. What Yahshua said to them , he says to all of us, ‘Receive ye the Holy Spirit’, receive His powers and make use of them. Receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and make use of them in His work. The cross gives us the message and the Holy Spirit gives us the strength and power.
6. Be not faithless but believing. v27.
Thomas was not present when Yahshua appeared to the disciples. He was not ready to believe what they told him. We may lose many things if we do not assemble regularly, as a congregation. Thomas doubted sincerely and Elohim was merciful to him. If we doubt in spite of seeing the evidence, because of our stubbornness, Elohim calls it foolishness. But to the sincere believer he says, ‘Be not faithless’. When Yahshua appeared the second time, Thomas was there. He met the Lord by his faith. If we are faithless, then we are Christless and graceless, helpless and joyless. You too can meet the Lord, only believe. It is the duty of those who read and hear the gospel to believe the doctrine of Messiah. You can meet him by faith, by prayer, by the word and by confessing your sins!
7. Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed. v.29.
This is the message for us today. In this world where every statement is based on proof or evidence, where blind faith in anything or anyone only brings ridicule, Yahshua says, ‘be not faithless’.
Believe on the Lord Yahshua and you shall be saved. Believe on him doubting nothing. By grace are you saved through faith. (Eph.2:8). We should walk by faith and not by sight (2Cor.5:7) . Faith is believing in the unseen.(Heb.11:1) Faith brings blessings, in time and for all eternity.
Mary lost the Lord (v13) but found him because of his resurrection and love.
To those of us whose faith is weak, let us cry like a father did, ‘Lord, help my unbelief.’(Mark.9:24) |