Teaching from the Cross. 7 Teachings to Understand our Salvation

The Crown of Thorns

7 Phrases from the Cross

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

The first message of the cross is forgiveness.

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.”-Luke 23:34 NLT

As he is nailed to the cross, he forgives those who are killing him. No mistake, the greatest act of forgiveness would coincide with the greatest declaration of forgiveness. Hurt people hurt other people. Pain is a vicious cycle of agony. Jesus ends that cycle here. He is hurt beyond recognition, but instead of lashing out in vengeance, he chooses to embrace forgiveness. Forgiveness is God’s saber to break bondage, the cycle of hurt and pain.

“Today you will be with me in paradise”

“But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.””-Luke 23:40-43 NLT

The criminal is the first Christian. He addressed Jesus as God. He admitted his sin. He humbly asked for salvation to be remembered. There was no baptism, not communion, no sinners prayer no “Jesus come into my heart”, just a humble recognition that he needed salvation and forgiveness.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,-For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

“Woman, Behold thy Son” “Behold thy Mother”

“There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.””-Mark 3:32-35 NLT

Jesus shows compassion for his mother here and in his final hours prepares her health, wellbeing, and aging years. Brotherly love is the distinguishing factor of the church. It is based on the Greek word Phila. This was a mark of the early christian church from other groups that met during that time. They stood out because of their love.

John 3:16 shares the love of Jesus toward us, but 1 John 3:16 shares the love we should have for each other.

“My God My God why have you forsaken me?”

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”-Matthew 27:46

As the sin mounted, he felt separated from God. A demonstration of hell, the separation from God. Jesus is feeling hell at this point. If you reject his free gift of salvation, it will result in you being removed from God. Jesus was abandoned by the Father so that we can gain the Father. He experienced hell on earth so that we can have Heaven on earth. ( John 10:10 )

“I Thirst”

After this, Jesus, [a]knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”-John 19:28

Another prophecy he fulfilled in Psalm 22:15

Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth-John 19:29

Hyssop is used at the Passover to apply the blood of the lamb to the doorpost. Jesus, the lamb of God, is offered vinegar and hyssop. A symbol of his blood applied for the forgiveness of sin. Jesus thirsted and was given a bit of vinegary wine. We thirst and are given everlasting life. He suffered that we might be saved. He died that we might live. Jesus drank of the bitterness so that we can drink of the fountain of living water.

“It is Finished”

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”- John 19:30

His earthly ministry was finished. He completed the work His Father showed Him. He completed the work on the cross.

“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”-Colossians 2:13-15 ESV

“Into Your hands I commit my Spirit”

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.-Luke 23:46

From his first breath to his last, Jesus committed His life to the Hands of His father. We should operate the same way. When people look at us, they should see Jesus. We are to take our lives’ instruction from the living Word and the Holy Spirit. Commit all that we do in our family, work, and ministry to God.

The Cross

Jesus on the cross

The cross is the defining feature of our time and of all time. It was a singular act taking place just outside of Jerusalem during a long six hours one Friday afternoon. It was a time when the institutions of state, religion, and the Kingdom of God were all nailed together on a rough piece of timber as the most dramatic and genuine act of love was carried out. Jesus of Nazareth, betrayed, denied, and nearly abandoned by all his disciples, was executed by Rome,

Exchanged for Barabbas,

Tried in a mockery of a court.

Arrested by the very men, He by rights was the leader and king.

A  paradigm shift, the great exchange, and a cosmic upset were about to take place. This singular act of obedience stands in stark contrast to the bold feats of faith that came before it. Noah’s Ark, Moses parting the sea, David conquering Goliath; all seem to outshine the humble cross in every way. They play the hero while Jesus suffered a humiliating, criminal, and excruciating death.

Jesus was known for his parables, his exhortations on truth, love, and the Kingdom of God. He instructed us on how to hear from God, how to pray, the importance of forgiving others, and the necessity of repentance. Jesus was equally known for his miracles. He healed the lame, the blind, the deaf, the withered, the diseased, the broken, and the possessed.

Demons were exercised, storms calmed, seas tamed; bread, fish, and water were blessed, transformed, and multiplied. With one command, He raised the dead back to life.

Like the twisted thorns that crowned his head, His miraculous married His ministry at the cross. The Debt that all men owe was paid in full, once and for all. The eternal aided the temporal. At the cross. Jesus offers his final message and performs his greatest miracle, the salvation of mankind through the forgiveness of sin.

The Heart of Real Communication: Value, Connection, and Listening

Real Communication goes beyond texting, calling adn other digital media.

In our fast-paced world, communication often feels rushed—texts fired off between tasks, meetings packed with bullet points, and conversations dominated by waiting to speak rather than truly hearing. But real communication, the kind that builds trust and strengthens relationships, starts with one powerful idea: valuing others.

When we genuinely value the people we’re speaking with, our tone changes. We speak with respect, not just to be polite but because we care. We ask questions because we’re curious, not just to fill space. We’re present, not distracted. Valuing someone means giving them our attention and recognizing that their thoughts, experiences, and feelings are just as real and important as ours.

From there, communication becomes easier when we find common ground. Shared experiences, whether they’re big or small, create a bridge between people. It might be as simple as discovering you’ve both had the same frustrating morning commute or grew up watching the same cartoons. These moments remind us that underneath our differences, we’re more alike than we think. And when people feel that connection, they’re more open, more trusting, and more likely to truly engage in conversation. But none of that matters if we don’t truly listen.

Good listening is more than being quiet while someone else talks. It’s about being actively present—paying attention not just to words but to tone, body language, and emotion. It’s resisting the urge to jump in with our own story or advice. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can say in a conversation is simply, “Tell me more.”

By combining valuing others, finding common experiences, and practicing deep listening, we move from surface-level exchanges to meaningful communication. This approach helps in every setting—whether you’re navigating tough conversations at work, building stronger friendships, or deepening connections at home.

At its core, good communication isn’t about being the most articulate speaker or having the best arguments. It’s about creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and respected.

Start there, and everything else flows naturally.

communication, empathy, listening, connection, relationships

5 Tips To Build Influence

Building Influence

Sphere of Influence

Everyone has a sphere of people in their lives, including family, friends, church members, coworkers, clients, etc. It is our goal, as we obey Christ, to reach our neighbors. These are people you can influence for the Kingdom of God. To do so, we must build a platform where we earn the right to speak into people's lives.

In an age of technology, when we communicate by text, IM, email, and social media, we have lost real communication. Good communication is built on connecting well with others, which comes through valuing them. You can’t move people to action unless you first move them with emotion.

“Connecting is the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases your influence with them.” —John C. Maxwell

How do you build influence?

1. Value others.

   “This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your friend in the same way you love yourself.’” —Matthew 22:38-39 TPT

   It's not always easy. People can be annoying—rude, selfish, ignorant, mean, godless, etc. Yet God wants all people to confess that Jesus alone is Lord. We need to value others as God values them. Everyone is worthy of His grace and love. Let’s be conduits of His compassion and mercy. Ask God for a greater love for Him and your neighbor. Ask Him to pour His love for the world into your heart.

   “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” —Luke 6:36 NLT

2. Walk in humility.
   Pride and arrogance are natural turnoffs when speaking to others. A know-it-all is an insufferable person to be around. Pride is a terrible driver. Humility opens the door for grace from God as well as with others. Humility will allow you to speak into someone else’s situation.

3. Take an interest.
   Taking an interest in others makes them feel special, valued, and wanted. Taking an interest is like putting credit in the bank. It encourages and supports others, and then, when it’s your turn to talk or share the truth of the Word, you will have something in the bank to withdraw.

4. Ask questions.
   This is an extension of number three. Asking questions shows your interest, demonstrates that you care, and keeps the focus on others rather than yourself.

5. Listen to understand, not to respond.
   Too many people listen just to have a snappy comeback, especially Christians who want to argue their faith or political points. We know we’re right, or we have a scripture to prove it, or we have some apologetics ready—but those answers will only be effective if we truly understand the other person’s position. We don’t have to agree with them, but we should seek to understand them.

As we practice the love of God within our sphere of influence, we will build a platform from which we can naturally and confidently share the message of Christ and give an account for the hope that is within us.