Our dear Lord Jesus Christ kept the Ten Commandments perfectly and He did so for us - in our place. We know and believe that He did this over the course of His earthly life. But I wonder whether it's not possible to hear and see Him fulfilling each and every one of the Ten Commandments as He hung on the cross.
I. You shall have no other gods. The central word from the cross is this: "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Twice with these words He confesses that He has no other god. He looks to and trusts in the very God by whom He feels forsaken.
II. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. He uses (opposite of "misuse") God's name to pray and even to sing a total of three times. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!" The second and third of these are from the Psalms and so may be considered songs.
III. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. The Sabbath day was Saturday. He suffered and died on Friday. Mindful of the approaching Sabbath, He "finishes" His work of redemption in time to rest His body in the tomb all day Saturday. When the Sabbath is over, He rises from His rest - very early on Sunday.
IV. Honor your father and your mother. He honors His Father by saying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And His mother by saying, "Woman, behold, your son!" - and by entrusting her to the care of John.
Next week, the rest of the Commandments.
