Category

Last Seven Words from the Cross

Jesus Establishes a New Spiritual Family That Transcends Biological Ties

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 Jesus entrusted His mother to John rather than to His own biological brothers, He was establishing something profound—a new spiritual family based on faith rather than bloodline. Jesus had…
Read More

Coming Back to the Cross Brings Restoration, Not Condemnation

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, the beloved disciple, wasn't at the cross initially. When Jesus was arrested and judged, John fled like all the other disciples. Matthew's gospel tells us they were scandalized—ashamed and…
Read More

Mary Needed a Savior Just Like Everyone Else

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 honored His mother when He spoke instruction to her and to John from the cross about taking care of one another. He says in John 19:26-27, "'Woman, behold thy…
Read More

Mary’s Faith and Courage at the Cross Testify to Christ’s Identity

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 at the foot of the cross watching her Son die, Mary possibly could have stopped the entire crucifixion if she had been willing to deny who Jesus was. She…
Read More

Jesus Models Care for Others Even in His Darkest Hour

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 the absolute agony of crucifixion, fighting for every breath while suspended between heaven and earth, Jesus demonstrated what it means to live—and die—thinking of others. He had already spoken…
Read More

Assurance of Salvation Is God’s Promise

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 Jesus responded to the thief, He didn't say, "maybe you'll be with me" or "hopefully if you're good enough" or "we'll see how things go." He made an absolute,…
Read More

Simple Faith in Christ Alone Is Sufficient

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 at how remarkably simple the thief on the cross’ prayer was: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." That's it. He didn't recite a complex theological statement,…
Read More

Fear of God Leads to Salvation

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 repentant thief on the cross demonstrated a reverent fear of God that actually led him toward salvation rather than away from it. When his companion continued to mock Jesus,…
Read More

The Cross Divides All Humanity

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 three crosses on Calvary represent the ultimate division of all humanity. It wasn't an accident that there were three crosses that day—Jesus the Redeemer in the middle, one thief…
Read More

Repentance and Faith Are Inseparable

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 believing thief on the cross demonstrated both essential elements of conversion in his final moments. First, he showed genuine repentance when he acknowledged his guilt, saying "we indeed justly,…
Read More