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Seven Words of Hope

Spoken from the cross

by Frank Gonzalez

Seven Words of Hope captures the seven last sayings of Jesus as He hung on Calvary’s cross.

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”(Luke 23:34).

“Verily I say unto thee, today thou shalt be with me in paradise”(Luke 23:43).

“Woman behold thy son!” (John 19:26).

“My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

“I thirst” (John 19:28).

“It is finished” (John 19:30).

“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46).

Each phrase, echoing through the centuries from a dying Savior, contains a message of hope for you and me. Listen as Christ cries with their heavenly Father, so He can come and take us home.

Reviews and Endorsements


[ Bookshelf Review ]

Reflecting on the statements Jesus made while on the cross has long been a theme for Christian devotions and Seven Words of Hope takes up this important, time-honoured task. Although brief, this book points to the magnitude of the sacrifice of Jesus and its cosmic and personal significance, with moments of deep insight that continually invite much deeper reflection than the few pages of each chapter allow. Author Frank Gonzalez is pastor of a large Adventist church in Florida and his guidance through the hours of Christ’s crucifixion shares a little from his ministry experiences and the life-changing power of Jesus, as well as occasional surprising turns in what he does with these precious words of Jesus. This study explores honestly and alternately the despair and hope, tragedy and triumph that make up this story. Seven Words of Hope also features the responses of the people around the cross, emphasising both the human and divine dynamics surrounding the death of Jesus. In the course of this survey, we meet Jesus’ mother Mary, the repentant thief, the compassionate and transformed Roman soldiers, and the overwhelming gratitude of Mary Magdalene. From “Father, forgive them . . .” to “It is finished,” Gonzalez paints each of Christ’s agonised but profound statements as “mini-sermons” that give insights into the heart of God, the significance Jesus’ death and the suffering He endured for the sin of the whole world— and for each of us. As such, Seven Words of Hope is a worthwhile reminder of what Jesus ultimately did for us, and perhaps an introduction to a different way of engaging with this central story in the history of world and our lives. This book doesn’t take much reading but its themes should demand much thinking. —Nathan Brown, book editor, Signs Publishing