1. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
Those soldiers guarding Jesus who nailed on the cross were trying to divide the raiment of Jesus. They tossed a dice to get possession of it. These kind of people were greedy, opportunists and possessive.
Greediness is one of the greatest sins of mankind.
2. "I say unto thee, Today thou shalt be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
One of the criminals who was with Jesus on the cross acknowledged Him as His savior. He begged Jesus to remember him when He's in paradise. God is well-pleased to those who are repentant and have faith in the Lord. It's repentance and faith that could save mankind.
Faith and repentance are the first principles of the Gospel.
3. "Woman, behold thy son!” (John 19:26)
When the three women: Mary, mother of Jesus, the other Mary wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene, Jesus expressed his concern by reminding His mother Mary to take care of John whom He greatly esteemed.
Family responsibility particularly of taking care of siblings, children lies on the hands of a mother. It is the mother who generally takes care of her children with the father as the bread winner.
Family exaltation is the highest work to do. Family could be together forever.
4. "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34).
When he was about to give up, about to die, Jesus called His Father. He called for His help. In reality, we do our best to support our family. We do exhaust all our resources in time of distress, trials and challenges. Then after all we've done, it's the time that we call for help, look for assistance, and even ask our God to remedy our problems.
The virtue displayed here is self-reliance.
5. "I thirst.” (John 19:28)
Of such terrible agony that Jesus suffered, His body was totally exhausted. He was not only thirsty but dehydrated. Well, He just needed water to quench His thirst.
Naturally, when the body is about to rest after the task has been done, you feel tired and you need a water to quench your thirst of exhaustion.
Our body needs to rest not only physically but spiritually. We need to be on Sunday to quench our spiritual thirst of His words.
Study His words (the scriptures).
6. "It is finished.” (John 19:30)
Jesus has endured to the end. He has completed His mission here on earth, that is, to fulfill all righteousness, and that the scriptures might be fulfilled as what the ancient prophets prophesied about.
Virtue to work on is obedient.
7. "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
In everything there is Someone who creates it. Anything created in heaven, on land, underneath the ground, there is only one creator. Since, we are all benefited from these creations, we should be thankful and acknowledged the Maker. And we entrust everything for Him when the right time comes.
Jesus, as weak as He was for carrying the cross of heavy burden of our sins, extremely exhausted of our ungratefulness, greediness, pride and haughtiness, as a human being like us, couldn't survive anymore. But yet He has Someone whom He dearly love, whom He faithfully obeyed His commandments, unqualifying entrusted Him to do what He pleases!
Therefore, we should be thankful for Jesus who saves us from our sins. Remember that ungratefulness is the sin of all ages. Then, what shall we do to pay our gratitude to Him?
I may suggest the six plain and simple work to do. It's CHRIST. You may click the link to know what is CHRIST's work is all about.
Blessed Good Friday to all!
For more reenactment pictures of Taltal (Christ's Way to the Cross)in Bacolod City, visit Owen Segovia Bayog's MyShutterLife.
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