Words from the Cross

Words from the CrossPauls words in Galatians 6: 14, Far be it for me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, highlight how central and personally significant the cross of Christ is to Christians. Jesus himself saw the cross as his divinely appointed destiny. As he began to experience the unimaginable agony that lay before him, he said, Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this

Paul’s words in Galatians 6:14, ‘Far be it for me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ highlight how central and personally significant the cross of Christ is to Christians. Jesus himself saw the cross as his divinely appointed destiny. As he began to experience the unimaginable agony that lay before him, he said, ‘Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour”? But for this purpose I have come to this hour’ (John 12:27). In Words from the Cross Ian Hamilton places Jesus’ seven expiring words of grace and hope in their wider biblical context and explores their theological, pastoral, and evangelistic significance. The short chapters encourage us to reflect and meditate on the love of God which is ‘the fountainhead of the gospel’ (John Owen) and bring us to devote all we are to the Saviour who gave his all for us.

Publisher: Banner of Truth
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781800402560

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Ian Hamilton was previously minister of Cambridge Presbyterian Church (1999-2016). He graduated from Edinburgh University in 1979 and became the minister of Loudoun Church of Scotland, Newmilns, Ayrshire in the same year, serving there for almost twenty years. Ian teaches at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in South Carolina, where he also serves on the Seminary Board. He is married to Joan, and they have four children and five granddaughters. Ian Hamilton is a Trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust and has preached at conferences around the world. His books include a commentary on the Letters of John, published by the Trust in the ‘Let’s Study’ series, and The Faith-Shaped Life.

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‘What can we learn from Christ’s words from the cross? In Words from the Cross, Ian Hamilton listens closely and finds theological significance in Jesus’ famous last words. This book reads quickly, packing truth in less than 150 pages and 19 short chapters. It is actually divided into two parts: Part 1 examines the “Savior’s Songs” from Isaiah, while Part 2 pulls texts from John and Matthew. Hamilton stays close to the text, helping you see the gospel more clearly. I was most moved to read of the Savior’s second song in Isaiah 49. Hamilton makes note that the suffering our Savior endured should bring us encouragement as we face our own trials. His applications cut straight to the heart: Do you think that your life has amounted to nothing? When it looked like God was failing on the cross, he was doing a work that no one could see or could possibly believe. Hamilton calls us to trust in the Lord and his goodness with our lives. What struck me the most throughout the book was that Jesus Christ was truly God and truly man. He had to learn the Scriptures, just like everyone else, and he learned, memorized, and applied them perfectly. It is his humanity — perfectly captured in the phrase “I thirst” — where Christ is able to relate to us. He knows what it is like to experience the pains, sorrows, and heartbreaks of being human. And he is able to die on behalf of humanity, taking away the sins of those who would believe. This is the perfect book to show you more of Christ. A fitting read for Christmas and Easter, but it will be a refreshing read at any time of the year. Come and hear what Christ still says to us today.’ diveindigdeep