Usually when our loved ones leave us, we don’t always get to hear last words or final wishes from them. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ suffered intense scourging, pain and agony on Calvary’s cross before He hung His head in the locks of His shoulders and gave up the ghost. However, while hanging there on the cross, there were seven last words or statements that He uttered, through it all.
Jesus was the final sacrifice for us to earn salvation. What a sacrifice He made for all mankind, yet some of us to this day do not know Him in the pardoning of our sins! John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” What a marvelous gift of sacrifice and salvation!
I first became fully acquainted with these significant words from Christ after I graduated from high school and enrolled at Claflin University. I sang in the concert choir, under the dynamic direction of the late Dr. Peter Lester Felder, II. Each spring we presented the cantata, “The Seven Last Words of Christ.” Having become so enthralled with this classical piece of music, I could hardly wait until 6:05 p.m. each evening to get to our chorus class for the teaching and rehearsal of it. Dr. Felder had a “magical” way of making one feel the music and the lyrics deep within. Hence, these are Jesus’ dying words on “an old rugged cross.” All of them are taken from the King James Version.
• First Word: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is to say, ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27:46)
• Second Word: “Then said Jesus, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)
• Third Word: “And Jesus said unto him, ‘Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:43)
• Fourth Word: “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, ‘Woman, behold thy son!’ Then saith he to the disciple, ‘Behold thy mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.” (John 19:26-27)
• Fifth Word: “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, ‘I thirst.’” (John 19:28, prophesied in Psalm 69:21)
• Sixth Word: “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished’: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30)
• Seventh Word: “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit’: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”(Luke 23:46)
Then what is the overall significance? According to Justin Holcomb, an Episcopalian priest and theology professor, The significance of Jesus’ [words] lies in a conversation He had with religious leaders about His role in God’s great plan:
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I make take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:14-18 NIV).
“But Jesus’ death is still death. [It was slaughter!] Though Jesus submitted, this doesn’t mean everything was fine. The author of life was murdered by evil men.” (Acts 2:23) “But Jesus yielded to the evil and injustice because he knew who was really in charge.” (Holcomb)
During this Holy Week and Resurrection Day, set aside some time to study our sweet Jesus’ dying words. Then answer this question: How do these words apply to my daily living?
