The Seven Last Words of Jesus

Dying on the cross, Jesus gave seven statements (commonly referred to as "The Seven Sayings from the Cross"). These statements…the last of a dying man… enable us to see the very core… the very heart of Jesus.

Shakespeare once wrote in his play Richard II…“The tongues of dying men -- enforce attention like deep harmony -- where words are scarce -- they are seldom spent in vain -- for they breathe truth -- that breathe their words in pain.”

1) "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

The first thing Jesus did from the cross was to seek forgiveness for those who whipped him with the cat-o-nine-tails and shredded the skin of his chest, arms and back; those who dressed him up as a king with a crown of thorns on his head; for those who blindfolded him and battered his face with sticks and fists, and yanked his beard out by the roots (Isaiah 50:6); those who spat in his face; and for the soldiers who nailed His hands and feet, and dropped the cross into a hole with such vehemence and hatred that it dislocated his bones (Psalm 22:14).

Recall his teachings contained in the Sermon on the Mount… “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44).

Is it possible to manifest love toward those who hate us? This seems humanly impossible. But Christ, who came into the world in human flesh, proved it is possible.

2) "I tell you the truth; today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) 

Crucified on the same day, and hanging on either side of the Lord, on their own deserved crosses, were two thieves. It was no accident that Christ was crucified between two thieves. 700 years before Pilate sentenced him to Roman crucifixion; God declared through Isaiah that his Son Jesus Christ will be numbered with the transgressors.

Jesus Christ was crucified between two thieves to show us that we are all like the two thieves. We are sinners but we can choose either to die in sin or to repent and receive salvation.

3) When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." (John 19:25-27).

As a boy, Jesus clearly honoured and obeyed His parents. Think of the words of Scripture in (Luke 2:51) where we are told that Jesus “went down to Nazareth with (his parents) and was obedient to them.”

Dying on the cross, Jesus was thinking about the welfare of his mother. Seeing her he left her in the care of John. With his words from the cross, Jesus demonstrated how children of all ages are to treat their parents. Jesus wants us to love our parents, our neighbours, the sick and those in dire needs.

4)  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" --which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46).

After all the beatings and humiliation, after three hours on the cross with his wrists and ankles pierced with long nails, Jesus’ suffering did not end. His worst suffering was that he was forsaken by God. He had a perfect and happy communion with his Father. He cried, “My God, My God,” rather than “My Father” because with the sins of the world laid upon him, his fellowship with the Father was cut off and he did not at that moment stand in relationship to God as Father.

5. Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." (John 19:28)

While he tabernacles among men, Jesus gave full proof of his humanity--- sinless humanity. When he was born he was wrapped in swaddling clothes. As a child he increased in wisdom and stature.  As a boy we find him asking questions. He tired physically, he hungered, he slept, he wept, and he rejoiced.

And here he cried, “I thirst.” That evidenced His humanity. God does not thirst. Christ thirsts because though he was fully God he became fully man for you and me.

6) When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." (John 19:30)

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” he did not mean that his life is over, or that he had come to the end of his strength. “It is finished” are words of victory. Jesus Christ had finished all that the Father had sent him into the world to do. “It is finished.” The shedding of blood by animal sacrifice was finished forever. Christ was offered as a sacrifice for sins once and for all.

7)  Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)

During the last three hours the Father could not look upon the Son because he was bearing the sins of the world upon Himself. But now we see the communion restored between the Son and the Father.

Do not think that Jesus committed Himself to God only at the end of his life. Devotion and complete submission to God was the theme of his life. Jesus commends his spirit into the hands of the Father - never again will mankind afflict him as before. Never again will he suffer the shame and reproach of the Cross.

Jesus is alive today. Nonetheless, it is essential for each individual to engage in self-reflection and consider the question: "Have I completely surrendered and fully devoted myself to him?"

Selie Visa