The Seven Last Words of Jesus on the cross, as recorded across the four Gospels, are significant sayings that encapsulate His final moments and teachings. These sayings are:
Together, these sayings form a profound part of Christian theology, emphasizing Jesus’ fulfillment of prophecy, His role as the Messiah and Lamb of God, His teachings on forgiveness, love, and the human condition, and the completion of His sacrificial mission for humanity’s salvation.
The saying “I thirst,” spoken by Jesus from the cross as recorded in John 19:28, poignantly reflects His humanity and physical suffering. It underscores the reality that Jesus endured the cross not just as fully God but also as fully human, experiencing pain, suffering, and human need. This moment fulfills the Old Testament prophecy found in Psalm 69:21, “They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” This prophecy highlights the Messiah’s suffering and is fulfilled when Jesus is given vinegar to drink, a detail that both Matthew and Mark note in their Gospels. Jesus’ declaration of thirst and the subsequent act of being given vinegar to drink intertwine His human suffering with the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, underscoring the depth of His sacrifice for humanity.
Jesus’ statement “It is finished,” uttered with His last breath as recorded in John 19:30, holds profound theological significance in Christian doctrine. This declaration marks the completion of Jesus’ mission of redemption for humanity’s sins. The phrase “It is finished” signifies that the sacrificial work Jesus was sent to accomplish—serving as the ultimate Passover Lamb, atoning for sin, and reconciling humanity with God—was fully accomplished. It encapsulates the fulfillment of numerous Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah and signifies the completion of the new covenant between God and humanity through Jesus’ shed blood. This moment is pivotal in Christian theology, representing the victory over sin and death and the establishment of the foundation for salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ.
” from the cross, connect to Old Testament prophecy and reveal His experience of separation from the Father? Jesus’ cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” as recorded in both Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, deeply connects to Old Testament prophecy and reveals His profound experience of separation from the Father. This anguished declaration is a direct quotation from Psalm 22:1, a Messianic psalm that prophetically describes the suffering and eventual vindication of the Messiah. Jesus’ use of this psalm not only fulfills this prophecy but also expresses the depth of His suffering as He bore the weight of humanity’s sins. The cry illustrates the momentary separation from God the Father that Jesus experienced as He took on the sin of the world, a necessary part of the atonement process. This moment of utter desolation highlights the extreme sacrifice Jesus made, enduring separation from God to atone for sin and provide a way for humanity to be reconciled to God. It underscores the depth of Jesus’ suffering and the magnitude of His love for humanity.
Jesus’ cry, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which translates to “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” reflects a moment of profound anguish and carries deep significance. Spoken at the ninth hour of His crucifixion, as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, this expression of desolation marks a pivotal moment where Jesus, bearing the sins of the world, experiences separation from God the Father. This cry, quoting Psalm 22:1, underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, illustrating Jesus’ role as the Messiah who was to suffer for humanity’s redemption. It highlights the depth of His sacrifice, enduring not just physical pain but also the spiritual agony of separation from God, to atone for sin and reconcile humanity with the Divine. This moment emphasizes the magnitude of Jesus’ love and commitment to humanity’s salvation, willingly enduring the cross’s torment to accomplish God’s redemptive plan.
Jesus’ statement, “It is finished,” uttered with a loud voice just before He breathed His last, signifies the completion of His earthly mission to atone for the sins of humanity. Recorded in the Gospel of John, this proclamation indicates that all things required for mankind’s redemption were now accomplished. This moment is a declaration that the work God the Father sent Jesus to do, acting as the sacrificial Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, was fully completed. It encompasses the fulfillment of prophecy, the perfection of obedience unto death, and the final offering for sin. Jesus’ death on the cross marked the end of the old covenant and the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity, through His blood, ensuring the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Him.
Jesus crying out in a loud voice before His death, especially with sayings such as “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” and “It is finished,” reveals several facets of His character and mission. First, it demonstrates His profound commitment to fulfilling the will of God, enduring the extremities of pain and the weight of humanity’s sins out of obedience and love. Second, it highlights His vulnerability and humanity, showing that He experienced real suffering and anguish. Finally, Jesus’ vocal expressions at His death underscore His role as the Messiah and the Saviour of the world, fulfilling prophecies and accomplishing the redemptive plan that had been set from the foundation of the world. His willingness to suffer and die, and to do so as a testament for all to hear, underscores the depth of His love for humanity and His divine authority to lay down His life as a ransom for many.
Jesus’ final sayings from the cross provide profound insight into the nature of His death and its foundational impact on Christian faith. These sayings illustrate His sacrificial love, His fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, His forgiveness, and His humanity. For instance, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” displays Jesus’ boundless mercy, even in the face of betrayal and execution. “It is finished” signifies the completion of the redemption plan, affirming that His death was not an end but a necessary passage to victory over sin and death. “Into your hands I commit my spirit” underscores His trust in God the Father, even in death. Together, these utterances underscore Jesus’ mission to serve as the ultimate sacrifice for sin, demonstrating both the depth of God’s love for humanity and Jesus’ role as the Lamb of God. They are central to Christian faith, emphasizing the transformative power of Jesus’ death and resurrection, offering believers hope for forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life with God.
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