The last words of dying individuals tell us much about who they were. It gives us insight into their hopes, aspirations, character, and how they generally looked at life. At times they can be poetic, such as the last words of Emily Dickinson who said, “I must go in, the fog is rising.” With some those last words can be filled with hope as George Washington said: “I die hard, but am not afraid to go.” Among others there is humor, as illustrated by Lou Costello saying, “That was the best ice cream soda I’ve ever tasted.” And the last words of others ring with irony, such as a Union Commander during the Civil War named General John Sedgwick who stood with his men looking afar at the enemy and did his best to calm their nerves by saying, “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist…” But while the last words of mere mortals can provide insight to their lives and personalities, when we turn our attention to the famous last words of another, we find insight into the eternal wisdom and love of Jehovah God.
As Jesus hung on the cross, He used that occasion to present some final words that allow us a glimpse into His very being—not only pertaining to His divinity, but also pertaining to His humanity. Take a few moments to examine those famous last words and allow the meaning behind them to impact the way you look at life and the provisions God has made for it.
First, just after being crucified, Christ prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). If Jesus ever showed anything during the course of His life, He showed mercy. In fact His very purpose in coming to earth (Luke 19:10) was to show mercy upon a world that was sinking deep in sin. And as these Roman guards at the insistence of the Jewish authorities nailed Him to that rugged cross, He saw this not as a refusal of salvation, but as man’s further need for salvation. And that fact was reflected in His hope that these men would be shown mercy for something that they were clearly doing out of complete ignorance of who He truly was.
Second, after an exchange between the thieves crucified with Him, He said to the one who showed faith, “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). God has promised eternal life unto all that believe in who He is and stand in obedience of what He has done, and this thief is an example of it. His recognition that Jesus was the Messiah He claimed, and that He would establish the kingdom He has promised showed His faith, a faith to which Christ reacted favorably by providing him with hope.
Third, looking down upon those gathered at the foot of His cross, He saw His dear mother and displayed His affection for her. To her He said, “Woman behold thy son;” and to the disciple He loved He said, “Behold thy mother” (John 19:26-27). With these words He showed a natural love that all families should have specifically among themselves. He wanted assurance that she would be cared for, and placed that care in the hands of one whom He knew He could trust. Even as He was dying for the sins of the world and suffering to an extent we shall never comprehend, still He had a concern for His mother whom He was leaving behind.
Fourth, feeling the full weight of sin pressing in pain upon His body and in stress upon His spirit, Jesus cried out in agony, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Sin brings consequences that those in Christ shall never fully know because on that day and with those words, Jesus bore that burden for us. It took divine courage to suffer that burden, but His humanity is displayed in the distress He felt as the result of it. These words show the consequences we should have suffered, but those which Christ suffered instead.
Fifth, after having hung on that cross for some six hours, Christ stated, “I thirst” (John 19:28). Yes, He had to be thirsty, but that was not the full reason as to why He said it. Rather that verse reveals that it was said to fulfill scripture. Jesus was in the midst of accomplishing a purpose, a purpose He knew had to be fulfilled in its entirety. Thus to satisfy the demands of prophecy Jesus called for something to quench His thirst, receiving vinegar instead. Yet, by stating such He showed the universal need to abide fully according to the word of God.
Sixth, just before His ultimate death, Jesus said, again to the Father, “into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). He was at peace with what He was doing. There were no regrets and no hesitation because He could look back on His life and know that everything He had done was done right and done in order to bring about the eternal good for which reason He had come to earth in the first place. And it is because of His life and sacrifice that peace can be enjoyed when we cross the vast horizon of death.
Then, seventh, Christ finally looked at all He had done, knew that He had completed His work and just before He gave up the ghost said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Yes, His life was finished, but more importantly His work was finished. He had done what was needed to seek and save the lost. And because of the fullness of His sacrifice man could in faith be cleansed by His blood and be heirs of the great redemption promised by God.
No last words could be more sobering, or more enlightening. These statements by Christ are not only expressions of a dying man but intentions of a living Savior. And as they were spoken in hope and expectation, we read them and acquire the same hope and expectation. May each word we speak and deed we do have the same intention of providing hope for man and displaying the character of a New Testament Christian.
-Andy Brewer