Volumes have been written on Christ’s last words from the cross. We will quote them (from the NKJV) and give brief comments on them. May the Spirit of God guide us in our meditations.

1. Luke 23:34: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” These are the most GRACIOUS words ever spoken. It was the pure “grace of God” that caused the Savior to pray for His enemies to be forgiven. We believe these words touched the heart of one of the thieves who was crucified, for listen to his words in verse 42, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” If you read verses 40-41 you will see that he saw, by faith, HIS SIN and CHRIST’S SINLESSNESS. Now he asks the Savior to take him into His kingdom, believing that Christ would rise from the dead and return to earth as King.

2. Luke 23:43: “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” These are the most ASSURING words ever spoken. The thief’s faith was rewarded far beyond what he had expected. He asked to have a place in the kingdom, but the Lord promised him he would be in heaven that very day.

3. John 19:26-27: “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother?’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” These are the most COMPASSIONATE words ever spoken. Jesus was suffering untold pain and agony, yet His heart of compassion caused him to consider the needs of His earthly mother and to commit her to the care of John His disciple.

4. Matthew 27:46: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” These are the most SOLEMN words ever spoken. In Psalm 22:1 David spoke these words prophetically of Christ and in verse 3 we see why He was forsaken, “But You are holy.” Our sins, in all their weight and number, had been laid upon Christ, as we see in Isaiah 53:6, “And the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of all.” In Habakkuk 1:13 we are told, “Thou are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.” God could not look at His Son because of our sins; He had to abandon Him!

5. John 19:28: “Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst.’” These are the most HUMBLING words ever spoken. Jesus was the “perfect Servant” Who came to obey God’s Word completely. In order to fulfill the Messianic prophecy in Psalm 69:21 He spoke these two words, which resulted in the guards giving Him vinegar to drink.

6. John 19:30: “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished’.” These are the most VICTORIOUS words ever spoken. He had ACCOMPLISHED the work of atonement that the Father had given Him to do. In doing so, He paid the debt of sin which we could never pay and thus salvation is now offered to any and all who will simply believe that “It is finished.” These are the words that God used to bring me the assurance of my salvation 40 years ago and my prayer is these words will be used of the Spirit to bless some anxious soul reading these lines. There is nothing you can do to save yourself, but ALL HAS BEEN DONE by the Lord Jesus Christ. BELIEVE IT, dear friend!

7. Luke 23:46: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” These are the most CONDESCENDING words ever spoken. Here we see the “Prince of life” succumbing to death! He had said in John 10:17-18, “Therefore My Father loves Me, BECAUSE I LAY DOWN MY LIFE that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I LAY IT DOWN OF MYSELF.” By an act of His own will, the Lord of glory dismissed His spirit and died. What condescending grace! I would encourage you to read more of this in Philippians 2:5-8. (210.5) (DO)