William Petruzzo

I finished Arthur W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross yesterday. Insightful only barely begins to describe Pink’s work in this book.

[Rating:4.5/5]

I began reading Pink’s book as part of a Challies.com group reading, referred to as Reading Classics Together. Basically, bloggers and Internet folk get together and read one chapter a week, then get onto the Challies.com blog, or their own blog, and discuss what they found interesting, striking, thought provoking, encouraging, or discouraging, or whatever really. I believe this is the third book they’ve been through together and it’s my second.

For starters, I highly encourage everyone who can to get involved with the next reading, whenever it comes around. While the discussion is valuable, the sense of accountability is useful. Plus, it offers a sense of comradery over the Internet, which is somewhat unusual.

Arthur W. Pink’s The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross is more than a long title. It’s also a detailed and challenging look at the last things Jesus said. The dying savior expended precious breath on the cross and we ought to listen carefully to what he says there.

Pink uses one chapter, and a total of 139 pages, for each of the seven things Jesus said while dying: the word of Forgiveness (Luke 23:34), the word of Salvation (Luke 23:42-43), the word of Affection (John 19:25-27), the word of Anguish (Matthew 27:46), the word of Suffering (John 19:28), the word of Victory (John 19:30) and the word of Contentment (Luke 23:46). Each of the seven chapters is then broken down into seven profound insights (some more than others) on what Jesus said, why he said it, and the far reaching implications for us who hear it.

Pink is a classic writer. No where near as classic as some of our Puritan friends. He lived from the late 1800’s all the way through to the the 1950’s. But a classic writer none the less. Seven Sayings is among the easiest Christian books I’ve read. The words roll off the page into your mind and there’s no confusion about what he’s saying. However, unlike most modern Christian literature, this is worth reading. He doesn’t stay away from theologically important ideas and he never lets Jesus’ words just stay information bouncing around in our heads. He always tries to help guide these things down into our hearts and lives. He’s not always successful, but there’s much to be said for trying.

Pink adhered to a pretty rigid structure in this book. Seven chapters. Seven sub-sections, per chapter. Unfortunately, it seems that because of that there were points made that perhaps aren’t especially relevant. Although an irrelevant point can still be deeply impacting. However, in terms of his immediate goal, it may have been better to leave them out for the sake of staying on topic.

Aside from that one very minor complaint, Seven Sayings was an excellent read. A great companion for meditating on the Work of Christ and its impact on our lives. I recommend anyone and everyone read it.

For more information on this edition of Reading Classics Together, swing by Challies.com or pick up the book, The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross by Arthur W. Pink.

This week Pink discussed Jesus’ “Word of Victory”. Namely, John 19:30.

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

One of the most profound things that Pink said, toward the end of this chapter, was the crushing defeat that Satan suffered, indicated by these words, “it is finished”. While once Satan had a legal claim on us, as sinners with unpaid debt, he no longer does. Believers have been purchased outright and there is nothing more to be done to make satisfaction. It is finished. In fact, if indeed we did want to add something to Jesus’ work, not only would it be foolish and arrogant, it would also muddy up and defile so already perfect a work.

To that effect, Pink shares an excellent illustration:

Some years ago a Christian farmer was deeply concerned over an unsaved carpenter. The farmer sought to set before his neighbour the gospel of God’s grace, and to explain how that the finished work of Christ was sufficient for his soul to rest upon. But the carpenter persisted in the belief that he must do something himself. One day the farmer asked the carpenter to make for him a gate, and when the gate was ready he carried it away to his wagon. He arranged for the carpenter to call on him the next morning and see the gate as it hung in the field. At the appointed hour the carpenter arrived and was surprised to find the farmer standing by with a sharp axe in his hand. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “I am going to add a few cuts and strokes to your work,” was the response. “But there is no need for it,” replied the carpenter, “the gate is all right as it is. I did all that was necessary to it.” The farmer took no notice, but lifting his axe he slashed and hacked at the gate until it was completely spoiled. “Look what you have done!” cried the carpenter. “You have ruined my work!“ “Yes,” said the farmer, “and that is exactly what you are trying to do. You are seeking to nullify the finished work of Christ by your own miserable additions to it!” God used this forceful object lesson to show the carpenter his mistake, and he was led to cast himself by faith upon what Christ had done for sinners. Reader, will you do the same?

For more information on this edition of Reading Classics Together, swing by Challies.com or pick up the book, The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross by Arthur W. Pink.

This week in the Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross Arthur Pink begins his discussion on Jesus’ dying words. The first chapter focuses on Jesus’ “word of forgiveness”. In Luke 23:34, some of Jesus’ dying words are “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing.”

Something that really stuck out to me was to point out that as Jesus was dying, as he was ending his life, some of the last duties that he performed was to pray for his enemies. That’s a heavy word about prayer and about love. As Jesus is in the process of being executed, he prays for the very people who are bringing about the deed.

Pink’s observation is one that strikes home, because fervent prayer is something I’m constantly desiring and often attempting to achieve, but rarely actually attain to.

At a conference a while back a speaker made a statement about prayer that has always stuck with me and I’ve often repeated to groups that are trying to pray. He pointed out Luke 22:31-32, where Jesus says, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat…” Satan had asked to send Peter through turmoil. If the statement were left at that, Peter might be left shaking in his boots. But Jesus doesn’t leave it there, he continues and reassures Peter saying, “but I have prayed for you…”. Jesus is fully assured in his prayer’s effectiveness. He believes that God will answer his prayer for Peter and as scripture confirms, he did.

Jesus’ prayer for his executioner’s forgiveness is not unlike his effective prayer for Peter. As Pink points out, it isn’t but a short while later when Peter is standing before the crowd on Pentecost and exclaiming that this Jesus they crucified God had made both “Lord and Christ.” It was following that sermon that God answered Jesus’ prayer and saved the 3000.

Pink’s observation is yet another coal in the fire urging me to prayer, urging all of us to prayer. As strange as it sounds, I pray now for a heart to pray more. If we can’t muster the strength or mind to pray, perhaps we can pray for just that.