The Seven Last Words Of Jesus Christ On The Cross

The 7 Last Words of Jesus Christ
on the Cross



Introduction

A survey of 7,000 people in 6 countries was conducted by the “Research International”. They were seeking to identify the most recognized symbols in the world today. They found that the Shell Oil logo, the Mercedes badge, and the five Olympic rings were recognized far more widely than the Christian Cross. McDonald’s golden arches and Shell’s glowing yellow shell were recognized by 84% of those questioned; while only 54% could identify the Cross as a symbol of Christianity.



Jesus was in great pain as he spoke his seven last sentences from the cross. The Roman soldiers all expected those crucified to shout out obscenities and swearing. One Roman philosopher, Seneca, said that the agony was so great that many cursed the day they were born. Another Roman philosopher, Cicero, said that the cursing was often so wicked and unnerving that the soldiers were known to cut out their tongues.

As we survey Jesus’ words, we discover that he did not curse his tormenters, the soldiers, nor did her curse the religious leaders or the gawkers. Instead, we hear words spoken for the benefit of those listening. Today, let us consider what Jesus said and why He said it. There are lessons for us all.





Word #1 Luke 23:32-34
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.



Commentary
“Father” - The first word from the cross that Good Friday was the word, “Father.” And the last word will begin with the simple word, “Father.” It reminds us of the ‘love relationship’ that God the Father had with God the Son. It is also the kind of relationship God the Father wants with us, the kind that Jesus makes available for us by His sacrifice on the cross.



“Forgive them” – Love forgives. Those crucifying Jesus were guilty, but it was His heart that they would find forgiveness. Those whose sins put Jesus on that cross—my sins and your sins—were also offered forgiveness.



These first words remind us of the reasons Jesus had to die on the cross. Man needs forgiveness. Romans 3:23 – All have sinned
Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death but
the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ.


Illustration
In a painting of the Crucifixion by the famous Dutch artist, Rembrandt, our attention is drawn immediately to the cross and to Him who hangs there. Then looking at the crowd gathered around the Cross, we note the attitudes and actions of these people. As our eyes drift to the edge of the picture, we see another figure in the shadows. This is Rembrandt himself. Rembrandt, helping to crucify Jesus!
How true that is according to Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)- “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”

Word #2 Luke 23:39-43
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." 43 Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."


Commentary
“I tell you the truth” – Jesus IS the Truth and always speaks the truth so that we CAN know truth!

“You will be with Me in paradise”

“You” –a thief could receive heaven-so can we

“will be” – it’s a promise

“with Me” – heaven in God’s home

“in paradise” – restoring intimate, personal
fellowship with God like the Garden of Eden



Illustration
Where can we go to get the truth about eternal life? How many people believe that ALL religions:
-can lead you to God
-pray to the same God
-have parts of the truth that together, make
up the whole truth about eternity?
But: Taoism in China with hundreds of millions of followers teaches that religion isn’t about God or a relationship with Him. It’s about meditation, and accomplishment by doing nothing. It has nothing in common with other religions.
Islam continues to spread throughout the world justifying violence and viewing non-Muslims as enemies to silence or conquer. You do not love your enemy—you ‘destroy your enemy’. That is NOT consistent with other religions.
In Hinduism, knowing the way God know (gnosis) is accomplished through sexuality, which is portrayed as the ultimate means of salvation. No other major religion teaches salvation like that.
And then there is Christianity with a message so simple and clear as John 3:16. That is the truth!
Word #3 John 19:25-27
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 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," 27 and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.



Commentary
Mary is evidently a widow—Joseph has died. it is Jesus’ responsibility to make sure his mother is cared for. He takes the time on the cross to make sure that responsibility is taken care of.
It is God’s will that we live our earthly lives in a way that is honorable and respectable. Jesus was doing that, even in his dying moments.



Examples:
We saw Jesus making sure he rendered unto Caesar the things that were Caesars. We pay our bills on time, and give our taxes, and live responsibly.

We know that Jesus was a good carpenter until he was around 30 years of age. It was the family business that he did with skill. We serve on our jobs wholeheartedly, as if we were serving the Lord and not men. This is a good witness for the Lord, rather than being tardy, doing a poor job, having a bad attitude, or being a disgruntled employee.

Consider other earthly responsibilities we should fulfill as stewards of what God has given us.
We are responsible members of society.
We take care of the environment.
We obey the laws.
We honor authorities and pray for them.

We got saved, but God left us here for a while.
While here, He wants us to live responsibly and be a good witness so that
IF someone were to speak against us, they would eventually be ashamed of their criticism when they see our good behavior and witness.

Jesus took time on the cross to fulfill His responsibilities. So should we.




Word #4 Matthew 27:45-46
45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 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?"




Commentary
”My God, My God” – This is a cry of passion from Psalm 22, a statement of steadfast, persevering faith in the midst of his adversity. It is an inspiration for us to remain faithful in the midst of our adversities.




“Why have you forsaken me?” – Here, Jesus is revealing to us that something has happened in His relationship with God. He has become the ‘sin offering’ (2 Cor. 5:21) and God has had to turn His back on him as he makes the sacrifice for our sins. Some would consider this to be the greatest pain Jesus suffered on the cross.




Jesus reveals his emotional pain. As human beings, we all at some moments feel abandoned by God. What are we allowed to do? Like Jesus, we can cry to the Lord, being honest with our feelings, and asking for His Help!

From the Old Testament, King David wrote the famous words in Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” His words continue: “why are you so far from saving me Lord? Why are you so far from my groaning? Why do I cry out to you, but you do not answer?” King David had these feelings in his heart that God had forsaken him, abandoned him, deserted him. And He was honest in expressing them, that He might find help and hope in His suffering.







Word #5 John 19:28-39
28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips.




Commentary
It is the shortest of the seven last words. In English, it is two words long. In the Greek language, it is only one word.
Jesus experienced physical pain. The whip lashing on his back hurt. Imagine how the thorns in his head felt. Then there were the ten inch spikes through his wrists and feet.
When we suffer, we can go to One who has suffered as well, and yet was without sin. He is willing and able to comfort us, and strengthen us; to help us in our time of need. He is an ‘ever present help’ in our time of need.
Read Psalm 43:1-2




Other Scripture
Hebrews 14:14-16:
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need..














Word #6 John 19:30
30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.



Commentary
“It is finished.” is an accounting term (tetelestai) meaning ‘paid in full’. The full payment required by God for our sins – was paid, in full, by Christ’s blood, on the cross! I can’t add to, or take away from that work – it is the finished work of Christ.

This sentence could to be translated: It is accomplished. The word ‘finish’ means the race is over and done with. The plan of God for Jesus was for him to be perfectly obedient unto death and Jesus accomplished that plan. This sentence is a note of victory. When we die, how wonderful to be able to say, “God’s plan for my life is accomplished.”



In receiving Christ, there must be the understanding that while I do not work FOR my salvation, I WORK OUT my salvation through a godly lifestyle and kingdom service.
-Philippians 2:12-13: 12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.



Illustration
An example in the Scriptures of “it is accomplished.” The Apostle Paul, as he came to the close of his life, wrote similar words in II Timothy 4:7,
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” He felt he had fought the good fight of life, that he had finished the race that God had placed before him; that he had kept the faith.”





Word #7 Luke 23:44-46
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.


Commentary
“Father” – God is our Father and He will never abandon us in life or in death. Read Hebrews 13:5-6 for that promise!


“Into your hands I commit my spirit” - The Christian life is one of surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; submission to the Holy Spirit’s daily leading in my life.

Jesus had prayed and submitted to the Father’s will earlier that night in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-44). Now He was affirming that He meant that prayer and trusted God not only for his life, but in his death. We should do the same.


“Into your hands” – We submit to God’s loving care, the care of His hands to hold us, embrace us, and help us – all the way through life, and through death – all the way home to heaven!