Jesus spoke seven times while dying on the cross; his seven expressions are known as the Seven Last Words. Hippolytus of Rome (170–235) described three hours of prayer based on historical understanding of Christ's crucifixion. It is believed that at 9AM Jesus was nailed to the cross; at 12PM the land grew dark; and at 3PM Jesus breathed his last and died. And so, here are the Seven Last Words of Jesus with a brief devotional thought. We pray these bless you and encourage your worship on this day of reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus.
1 :: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Forgiveness is on Jesus' mind, even on the cross. This forgiveness is not just for those physically nailing him to the cross. Jesus is dying so that we might be forgiven for our sins—so we might be reconciled to God for eternity.
2 :: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
Just like the criminal on the cross next to Jesus, we are welcome to be with Jesus for eternity not because we have right theology, and not because we are living rightly, but because God is merciful and we have put our trust in Jesus.
3 :: “Woman, behold, your son!” (John 19:26)
Jesus shows care for his mother by providing for her. John, the disciple in whom he loved, will care for her from this point on. Ultimately, this act shows that he cares for us as well.
4 :: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)
Quoting Psalm 22:
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. (vv. 1-2)
The beloved Son of God knew what it was like to be rejected by the Father. Jesus was abandoned by the Father so that you might not be. As we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (NIV).
5 :: “I thirst.” (John 19:28)
In his gospel, John notes that Jesus said “I am thirsty.” This is not only a statement of physical reality, but also a fulfillment of Scripture as John was likely thinking of Psalm 69, which includes: Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst. (vv. 20-21) Jesus suffered physical thirst on the cross – and so much more – so that our thirst for the water of life might be quenched.
6 :: “It is finished” (John 19:30)
Eugene Peterson captures the full sense of this phrase in The Message: “It’s done . . . complete.” Jesus had accomplished his mission. He had announced and inaugurated the kingdom of God. He had revealed the love and grace of God. And he had embodied that love and grace by dying for the sin of the world, thus opening up the way for all to live under the reign of God.
7 :: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46)
Jesus' life was bathed in the Psalms as evidenced by his teaching as well as the fact that two of the last seven "words" of Jesus were from the Psalms. Earlier Jesus used Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" to express his anguish. He then borrowed from Psalm 31, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands." What better place to have your life than in the hands of God? Our salvation and assurance of eternity comes from God and God alone.
In conclusion, let us pray:
Lord Jesus, you have the greatest love for us
stretched out and spent.
What can we say in the face of it?
We can only try to imitate you
by responding to those whom you have given us to love.
Help us to stretch and spend ourselves for the sake of others.
Amen.