Last Words

When Jesus hung from the cross for over 6 hours he endured pain and reviling mockers.  During this extremely long workday for Jesus, he spoke 7 last words that provide understanding into the meaning of his death on the cross. 

 

1. “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).  To they very people who are murdering him—he offers forgiveness.  This reveals the complete selflessness of Jesus and his determination to save the worst of sinners from themselves. 
2. While two thieves hung next to Jesus they both began to mock him.  After awhile, one of them believed because of the way Jesus was dying with such dignity.  Jesus said to this thief, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke23:43).  This reveals that the Lord is so willing to save sinners.  This man simply said, “remember me when you come into your kingdom” and Jesus blood was now for him. 
3. Third, Jesus had a word with his mother and best friend John.  “Woman, behold, your son!....Behold your mother! (John 19:26-27).  Jesus looked down from the cross and no doubt saw his mother trembling in grief.  He then provides for her by having his close friend and pastor John be her protection.  His first three words on the cross are aimed towards a reviling spitting crowd, a thief, and his mother.  As I saw this I realized Jesus carries a love that is so unlike myself.  Even on the cross all he saw was the needs of others first and foremost.
4. Next, Jesus said, “I thirst” (John 19:28).  This reveals that Jesus was also a man who suffered tremendously.  Many people think because he was God that he could somehow push a “no pain button” and skip the suffering.  Not so.  In order for Jesus to redeem sinful man he had to become one of us and subject himself to his own creation and the laws that govern it.  Can God create a rock too big that he can’t lift it many ill intentioned ask?  The answer is yes, as his law stands perfect forever he took our place underneath it and was crushed by the rock of death—three days later he dropkicked the rock as he rose from the grave.  A real bonifide ***kicker. 
5. Fifth, Jesus said, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” (Matt.27:46).  This is the cry of the damned as Jesus was utterly separated from his Father.  Complete separation from God is hell.  Jesus became sin for us.  He bore the consequences of every sin past, present, and future of those that believe in Christ Jesus.  Martin Luther has said, “at this moment Jesus became the most grotesque, ugly, and hideous thing in the history of all creation.”  Jesus took to himself all our sin with all its horrors and shame (Heb.12:2-3).
6. Sixth, Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30).  The demand of justice was met.  John Piper has said, “the wisdom of God had ordained a way for the love of God to deliver is from the wrath of God, all the while upholding the justice of God.”  Check Galations 4:4-7 out.  It says that Jesus was born under the law to redeem those under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons and daughters.  This word redeem is “exogarazo” which specifically means to buy to keep.  Now the word redeem is used again in Romans 3:23 where it says, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”  This word redemption is “Apolutrosis” which means specifically to buy to set free.  So he has bought us to keep us as sons and daughter, but he has bought us to set us free from the death of sin!  It is finished!
7. Lastly, Jesus said, “Father into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).  After the work was finished Jesus once again was restored back to fellowship with his Father.  Although I cannot prove it I believe this sentence was said with a smile of anticipation, as it was the joy set before him to endure the cross.  The glory of heaven far outweighed the shame of the cross.  As Jesus breathed his last, the sky became dark and the veil in the temple before the holy of holies was ripped from top to bottom signifying the open door to God.  He has made a way for us to be reconciled to God.