Pastors reflect on Jesus� last seven words
Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday March 22, 2016 14:29
Reverend Mompati Aaron gave the first word of the day to open what turned out to be inspiring spiritual orations after the last cleric had finished.
Aaron’s presentation was about forgiveness and it was based on Luke 23:34, which states, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”. Aaron told the crowd that no matter how much sin they have committed they should know that God has forgiven them.
“You have been forgiven and the forgiveness is built on love,” he declared.
Aaron advised everyone to spend the Easter holidays without any burden because everything has been forgiven. Pastor Mothusi Phitshane presented the second reading and it was on salvation. His sermon was based on Luke 23:43, which says “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise”. Phitshane told the crowd that they have to die in order to live.
“Salvation is instant and you might have reached a dead end, but reach Him and He will save you,” he said, adding that it is gainful to die because Jesus is there.
The only female preacher of the day, Rev Makgarebe Pitswe-Mbulawa presented on relationship. It was taken from John 19:26-27 where it reads, “Jesus said to his mother: ‘Woman, this is your son’. Then the disciple said: ‘This is your mother’”. Pitswe-Mbulawa said in the Bible, Mary followed Jesus right to the cross.
“These days we live apart, children disregard their parents and parents are not on speaking terms with their own children,” she said.
She said during the Easter holidays, Jesus would restore love between parents and their children.
“This Easter we are encouraged to come together as one. We should introspect and give ourselves a second chance,” she said. Rev Gabriel Tsuaneng reflected on the fourth word of abandonment. The word was taken from Matthew 27:46 and it says, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani (my God, my God, why have you forsaken me”. Tsuaneng said the word came from a man who was suffering. He encouraged people to pray to God and He will lift them wherever they are.
“Jesus knew that something was planned for him,” he said. The firth word was about distress and it was taken from John 19:28, which says, “I thirst”. Rev Tshenolo Nkgelepang said during Easter, Jesus is thirsty for people who know what they want. He said Jesus is also thirsty for the lost souls to come and repent. Apostle Moffat Lubinda followed afterwards with a word of triumph from John 19:30. It says, “When Jesus had received the wine, he said, ‘It is finished’; and he bowed his head and handed over the spirit”.
Lubinda told the crowd that God would keep them until their journey is finished. “Jesus took our place on the cross. He took our punishment,” he preached. Lubinda said this is the season of substitution and people should rejoice because they did not pay the price. Rev. John Phillip gave the last word about reunion taken from Luke 23:46. It reads, “Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’”.
Phillip said Jesus had to pull Himself up the cross to say the words. He said Jesus went through more than suffering to utter these words. He asked people to commandeer their spirit to God once they reach the last line. He said people should give their lives to Christ so that God can know them when the right time comes.
“Jesus suffered a cruel death so that he could save all of us,” he said. Every reflection on the seven words was complemented by music to solidify the experience.