There is a story of a kindergarten class watching a cartoon depiction of the crucifixion. As Jesus was being laid in the tomb, one little boy leaned over to his friend and whispered, “He’s dead now, but he’ll be back.”

That child knew the end of the story. But to understand the power of the “return,” we must first sit at the foot of the cross and listen to the words spoken in the darkness. On that Friday 2,000 years ago, Jesus uttered seven distinct statements. While each is profound, three of these cries were directed toward Heaven—three prayers that validate the Gospel and address the weight of human sin.

The Context of Calvary

Before the first prayer was uttered, Jesus had endured the betrayal of a friend, the denial of His disciples, and the mockery of a sham trial. He was scourged, spit upon, and forced to carry a cross until His strength failed, requiring Simon of Cyrene to step in (Luke 23:26).

The physical agony of crucifixion was designed for “excruciating” pain—a word that literally means “out of the cross.” Yet, in this moment of peak suffering, Jesus did not cry out in anger. He prayed.

I. The Prayer of Forgiveness

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” — Luke 23:34

The first prayer occurred as the nails were being driven into His hands. Under Old Testament civic law, those facing the death penalty were often encouraged to say, “May my death atone for my sins.” But Jesus had no sin to atone for. Instead, He asked for the atonement of His murderers.

• The Ignorance of Sin: Jesus recognized that the soldiers and the crowd did not fully comprehend the gravity of crucifying the Son of God. Peter later echoed this in Acts 3:17, stating they did it through “ignorance.”
• The Imperative for Us: If Christ could forgive those who spit in His face and drove the nails, we are empowered—and commanded—to forgive those who hurt us.

II. The Cry of the Forsaken

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?“ — Matthew 27:46

As noon arrived, a supernatural darkness covered the earth for three hours. In the hottest, brightest part of the day, the sun refused to shine. In this darkness, Jesus used the Aramaic tongue to cry out a prophecy from Psalm 22:1.

The Ultimate Scapegoat

In the Old Testament, the “scapegoat” had the sins of Israel confessed over its head before being led by a “fit man” into a desolate wilderness (Leviticus 16:21-22). Jesus became that scapegoat.

• Spiritual Death: Death is defined as separation. In this moment, Jesus experienced spiritual death—separation from the Father—so that we would never have to.
• The Curse: Galatians 3:13 reminds us, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” He paid a debt He didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay.

III. The Prayer of Committal

“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” — Luke 23:46

The final prayer is one of total trust. To “commend” means to place beside or to entrust. Jesus was not a victim of circumstance; He was the master of the moment, willingly handing His spirit back to the Father.

The Ripping of the Veil

At the moment of His death, the veil of the temple—a thick, massive curtain that separated man from the “Most Holy Place”—was ripped in half from top to bottom (Luke 23:45).

• Direct Access: This was God’s way of saying the barrier was gone. We no longer need a human priest or a middleman.
• Boldness: Because of this prayer and this sacrifice, we can now “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Conclusion: How Will You Respond?

The prayers of Jesus on the cross validate our Christianity. They prove that:

1. Forgiveness is available for the worst of sinners.
2. Spiritual life is possible because He took our spiritual death.
3. A Welcome is guaranteed for those who commend their souls to Him.

As we look toward the resurrection, remember that the cross was not a tragedy to be pitied, but a victory to be received. As Romans 10:13 promises, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Have you made that prayer your own?

“The edges of God are tragedy. The depths of God are joy and beauty and resurrection and life.”