The Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross: A Profound Testament of Love and Redemption
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ stands as the pivotal event in human history, the ultimate demonstration of God's redemptive plan. While His physical suffering was immense, the words uttered by our Saviour from the cross offer an even deeper insight into His divine character, His mission, and the profound love He bore for humanity. These seven distinct utterances, recorded across the Gospels, are not mere cries of agony but powerful declarations, prayers, and promises that resonate through eternity. They reveal Jesus as both fully God and fully man, fulfilling prophecy, securing salvation, and setting an eternal example for all who would follow Him. Let us prayerfully consider these sacred words, drawing near to the heart of our Lord on Calvary's hill.
The First Word: A Prayer of Forgiveness
The very first words from the lips of our suffering Lord were not of self-pity or vengeance, but a compassionate plea for His tormentors. Amidst the nails piercing His flesh and the jeers of the crowd, He cried out:
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
This utterance encapsulates the very essence of Christ's mission: reconciliation and forgiveness. It reveals His boundless love and mercy, extending grace even to those who were actively participating in His brutal execution. "They know not what they do" speaks to the spiritual blindness of humanity, unable to comprehend the magnitude of their sin or the divine identity of the One they were crucifying. This prayer serves as a timeless example for believers, calling us to forgive those who despitefully use us (Matthew 5:44), mirroring the very heart of God. It is a testament to the fact that true forgiveness is possible, even in the face of unimaginable injustice.
The Second Word: A Promise of Paradise
As Jesus hung on the cross, He was flanked by two thieves. One railed against Him, but the other, convicted by the Holy Spirit, recognized Jesus' innocence and divine authority. He humbly requested, "Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." To this repentant heart, Jesus offered an immediate and profound assurance:
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
This second word underscores the immediate efficacy of faith and the certainty of salvation for those who truly repent and trust in Christ. The thief had no time for good works, baptism, or church membership, yet his simple, heartfelt faith secured his eternal destiny. "To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" silences any doubt about the state of the righteous dead; they are immediately in the presence of the Lord. This promise offers immense comfort and hope, affirming that salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8, Ephesians 2:9), and that Christ's kingdom is open to all who believe, regardless of their past.
The Third Word: A Provision for His Beloved
Even in His excruciating pain, Jesus' thoughts turned to His earthly mother, Mary, and His beloved disciple, John, who stood nearby. This moment reveals His tender humanity and His unwavering commitment to those He loved:
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.
This third word demonstrates Jesus' deep care for His family and His responsibility to provide for them, even in His final moments. With Joseph likely deceased, Jesus, as the eldest son, was ensuring His mother's welfare. He established a new familial bond between Mary and John, symbolizing the new spiritual family of believers. This act teaches us the importance of loving and caring for one another within the body of Christ, extending our compassion beyond biological ties. It highlights that even amidst the greatest spiritual battle, our Lord did not neglect His human duties and affections.
The Fourth Word: A Cry of Dereliction
As darkness fell over the land, Jesus uttered a cry of profound spiritual anguish, unlike any other:
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?
This fourth word is perhaps the most mysterious and agonizing. It is a direct quote from Psalm 22:1, a Messianic psalm. This was not a cry of doubt in God's existence or power, but a cry of separation. In this moment, Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Father, who is of purer eyes than to behold evil (Habakkuk 1:13), turned His face from His Son as the full weight of humanity's sin was laid upon Him. This cry reveals the true cost of atonement: the breaking of the perfect fellowship between the Father and the Son, so that we, who were alienated, might be reconciled to God. It is the core of substitutionary atonement, where Christ bore the wrath that was due to us.
The Fifth Word: A Declaration of Humanity
Following the intense spiritual struggle of bearing the world's sin, Jesus' next word was a simple, yet profound, declaration of His physical suffering:
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
This fifth word reminds us of Jesus' full humanity. He experienced the excruciating physical torment of crucifixion, including dehydration, fever, and blood loss. His thirst was real, a testament to His shared experience of human frailty. Moreover, this utterance directly fulfilled prophecy, specifically Psalm 69:21, which states, "And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." By declaring His thirst, Jesus ensured that every detail of the prophetic word concerning His suffering was perfectly accomplished. It shows that even in His agony, He was consciously fulfilling His divine mission, leaving no stone unturned in the plan of redemption.
The Sixth Word: A Proclamation of Completion
With the prophecies fulfilled and the work of atonement complete, Jesus uttered a powerful, triumphant cry:
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
The sixth word, "It is finished" (Greek: Tetelestai), is not a cry of defeat or exhaustion, but a shout of victory. It signifies that the entire redemptive work, foretold by prophets and shadowed by the Law, was now fully accomplished. The debt of sin was paid in full. The demands of God's perfect justice were satisfied. The power of sin and death was broken. There is nothing more to be done for salvation; it is complete in Christ. This declaration marks the end of the Old Covenant sacrifices and the inauguration of the New Covenant, where access to God is made possible through Christ's finished work on the cross. The veil of the temple, symbolizing separation from God, was supernaturally torn from top to bottom at this very moment (Matthew 27:51), signifying open access to the Father.
The Seventh Word: A Surrender of Spirit
With His mission accomplished and victory secured, Jesus' final word was a conscious act of surrender and trust to His Father:
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.
This seventh and final word is a profound testament to Jesus' sovereignty, trust, and ultimate victory over death. Unlike ordinary men who are taken by death, Jesus "gave up the ghost," indicating His voluntary surrender of His spirit. He was not merely a victim; He was in control, laying down His life of His own accord (John 10:18). This prayer, echoing Psalm 31:5, demonstrates His unwavering trust in the Father, even in death. It assures us that our spirits, too, can be commended into the faithful hands of God. It is a peaceful, confident surrender, knowing that death is not the end but a passage into the Father's presence for those who are in Christ.
Conclusion
The seven last words of Christ from the cross offer an unparalleled glimpse into the heart and purpose of our Saviour. They reveal His infinite love and compassion, His unwavering commitment to His mission, His profound humanity, and His ultimate divine victory. From a prayer of forgiveness for His enemies to a cry of triumphant completion and a final surrender of spirit, each word is a sermon in itself, rich with theological depth and practical application for believers. They remind us of the immense cost of our salvation, the completeness of Christ's sacrifice, and the eternal hope that is found in Him. May these sacred utterances ever resonate in our hearts, drawing us closer to the One who gave His all for us.