Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
It was 22 years ago when I arrived in Canada and chose Calgary, Alberta to be my home. Leaving my family and friends behind, it was a new adventure for me to be in a new country without knowing anyone. That was the time I looked for a Filipino community paper and never found any, [...]
Read full post »

Visitors to Pinoytimes

Start of StatCounter Code

End of StatCounter Code

Page added on April 21, 2012

Email This Post Printable version

Print This Post

Remember … A Dying Man’s Words

by Pastor Nilo Briones of Jesus Word of Life Church

Have you ever wondered why the cross is the central symbol of Christianity? We see it’s hanged inside the chapel, worn around the neck by some faithfuls, an integral part of sermons and teachings, which remind us that there is something glorious that happened on a Good Friday through the pages of history in Jerusalem. Although cross-bearers carry shame and guilt before the public eyes, as crucifixion was the slow-paced, agonizing punishment by the Roman authorities in Jesus’ time, we need to uphold the fact that without the cross there is no forgiveness of sins, and eventually there is no salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, who voluntarily offered His life as the ultimate sacrifice for the payment of our sins. As the Bible says, “without the shedding of the blood, there is no forgiveness of sin” (Hebrews 9:22).

It’s interesting to note the seven final statements of Jesus while dying on the cross. They bundle up a clear testimony of Jesus’ love, goodness and mercy as he died thinking of others. His words carry spiritual messages that we need to take heart and meditate upon soberly. Though not in sequential order, his first word: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Here, Jesus (in his humanity) was expressing his feelings being abandoned by the Father) as God placed the burden of sins of the world on him, and because of that, God had to turn away from Jesus. His second word: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” – words of compassion thinking of his enemies. His third word: “Today you will be with me in Paradise” – thinking of the salvation of the criminal by his side who humbly acknowledged him. His fourth word: “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit” - a time when Jesus is willingly giving up his soul into the Father’s hands, indicating that God has accepted his sacrifice. The fifth word: “Woman, behold your son”- thinking of his mother to be taken care of by one of his apostles (the beloved John). The sixth word: “I am thirsty”, which is a fulfillment the Messianic prophecy that “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst (Psalm 69:21). And the seventh word: “It is finished” meaning that his suffering was over and the work that his father had given him to do – which was to preach the Gospel to secure the eternal salvation of His people - was done and accomplished.

Jesus died as he lived—thinking of others – thinking of you and me! What happened 2,000 years ago was a turning point in every soul on the face of the earth. God, in His love, has provided a way out of the curse of sin by offering His Son Jesus to die on the cross to save us and have a relationship with God. Repent then, turn away from sin, commit your life to Jesus, and be blessed!

Remember … A Dying Man’s Words

pinoytimes.ca © 2009