The Seven Last Words of Jesus. What do they truly mean?
Christians believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and rose again on
the third day. But what did he say in his final moments before he gave up his
spirit? And what do those words reveal about his love, his mission, and his
relationship with the Father?
1. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are
doing." (Luke 23:34)
The phrase
“Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” is the first
of the Seven Last Words of Jesus. It is a prayer that Jesus made to God asking
for forgiveness for those who were crucifying him. Jesus was asking God to
forgive the people who were responsible for his crucifixion because they did
not understand the full extent of their actions. This phrase is often
interpreted as an example of Jesus’ love and compassion for humanity, even in the
face of extreme suffering. It is a quality the LORD asks all humans to
imbibe.
2. "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
(Luke 23:43)
Jesus spoke
these words to one of the criminals who was being crucified alongside him. The
criminal had asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom, and
Jesus responded by telling him that he would be with him in paradise that day.
This phrase is often interpreted as an
example of Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness. It shows that even in the midst of his
own suffering, Jesus was willing to extend grace to others. The LORD asks us
not to be judgemental.
3. "Woman, here is your son. ... Here is your mother." (John
19:26-27)
The phrase
“Woman, here is your son” and “Here is your mother” are the third of the Seven
Last Words of Jesus. Jesus spoke these words to his mother Mary and to the
disciple John who was standing nearby. Jesus was entrusting his mother to
John’s care, and John to his mother’s care.
This phrase is often interpreted as an
example of Jesus’ love and compassion for his family and for all people. It
shows that even in the midst of his own suffering, Jesus was concerned about
the well-being of those around him. The LORD asks us to be loving and
responsible to the family, even in worst of times. In this age of Live in
relationships and instant divorces , people give up on Jesus.
4. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46;
Mark 15:34)
The phrase
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is the fourth of the Seven Last
Words of Jesus. Jesus spoke these words while he was hanging on the cross. This
phrase is a quote from Psalm 22:1, which is a psalm of lament.
This phrase is often interpreted as an
expression of Jesus’ feelings of abandonment and despair. It shows that even in
his darkest hour, Jesus was still turning to God in prayer.
5. "I am thirsty." (John 19:28)
The phrase “I
am thirsty” is the fifth of the Seven Last Words of Jesus. Jesus spoke these
words while he was hanging on the cross. This phrase is often interpreted as an
expression of Jesus’ physical suffering and his humanity.
6. "It is finished." (John 19:30)
The phrase
“It is finished” is the sixth of the Seven Last Words of Jesus. Jesus spoke
these words while he was hanging on the cross. This phrase is often interpreted
as an expression of Jesus’ victory over sin and death.
7. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)
The phrase
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” is the seventh of the Seven Last
Words of Jesus. Jesus spoke these words while he was hanging on the cross. This
phrase is a quote from Psalm 31:5.
This phrase is often interpreted as an
expression of Jesus’ trust in God and his willingness to surrender his life to
God’s will
