When Everything Hurts

Jesus said nothing unimportant. But for nearly 2,000 years, Christians have noted a special poignancy in his dying words spoken from the cross. These seven short sentences help us appreciate our Lord's suffering and better understand our own.

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). How unselfish, how remarkably understanding, was Jesus' kindness toward the very ones who crucified him! His mercy brings hope to anyone who's ever opposed God's will through ignorance and unbelief.

"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Surrounded by sinners during his life, he died in the midst of them as well. "Assigned a grave with the wicked" (Isaiah 53:9), he was crucified between two thieves who deserved no kindness. But even amid his own misery, Jesus showed love to a sinner whose insults gave way to repentance when he was face-to-face with death. When we die, we too can be with Jesus in the place he's preparing for us (John 14:3).

"Dear woman, here is your son," and (to John), "Here is your mother" (John 19:26, 27). Tenderly Jesus trusted his mother Mary to the care of his beloved disciple. For every person separated from a loved one by distance or by death, for every mom whose empty arms ache to hold her departed son or daughter again, for every friend who's tried to comfort a grieving family, there's encouragement here. Jesus understands.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:34). What emotion hurts more than loneliness? Have you ever endured dark nights of the soul when God seemed far away? By quoting David's agonizing cry from Psalm 22, Jesus pointed to several prophecies about his death: he was mocked (22:6-8), his hands and feet were pierced (22:16), people gambled for his clothing (22:18). As he "bore our sins in his body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24), Jesus paved the way for us to enjoy unbroken fellowship with the Father who will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

"I am thirsty" (John 19:28). Christ identifies with our physical afflictions and our needs. In him we find "living water" so our souls never have to thirst again (John 4:14).

"It is finished" (John 19:30). The cross didn't stop Jesus from accomplishing his mission. Suffering, he fulfilled the Father's will. Even during our own dark days, God gives us a mission, too. "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion" (Philippians 1:6).

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Luke 23:46). Jesus experienced the full agony of death, but died with commitment and hope on his lips because he knew what was coming three days later. His resurrection victory gives us courage to place our own lives in the Father's hands.

On those days when everything hurts—when the pain and stress seem unbearable—we can find a sympathetic friend in Jesus. He hurt all over—from his thorn-crowned head to his beaten back, from his wounded side to his nail-pierced hands and feet. And who can fathom the depths of his inner agony? "See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?"

When Jesus died, everything hurt. But he died to make everything better.