I have been asked if I could give my thoughts on the last seven words of Jesus Christ as people celebrate his death on the cross today. I usually dont delve into this type of discourse but I told a close friend who was charged with a smiliar task not to fight the recommendation and it would be hypocritical of me not to at least attempt. First, for those who are not religious or not aware, when people say last seven words they actually mean last seven phrases. I will offer my short thoughts on each and charge you, if you so choose, to read the each and think about them and form your own conclusions. I believe these last words offer insights on how to live life and interact with others. They also give insight into the man held in high esteem because of the ransom sacrifice that is being celebrated today. Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Luke 23:34 As he hung from the cross, Jesus could have expressed many emotions. Anger at the one who betrayed him, beat him, put a crown of thorms on his head, and nailed him on the cross to die. Instead, he offered forgiveness. We must ask ourselves: If he can forgive after being put through so much, why do we find it so hard to forgive for far less serious transgressions? If we are truly to seek a heavenly hope, we must loose ourselves of such earthly reactions. We must truly forgive others as we wish to be forgiven ourselves. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise. Luke 23:43 With this phrase, he gives others hope for salvation. He assures them that they will join him in Paradise. Arming those who still believed with this assurance served to strengthen faith. This strength would have been needed in such trying times. Woman, behold your son. Behold your mother. John 19:26-27 By not outright calling his mother, his mother, he not only shields her from the mob looking to tear down anything and anyone associated with him, but he also calms her by not speaking tenderly to her. Again this was an example of not thinking of ones self, even in moments of duress. Sometimes we must protect others by any means,even if it means disassociating ourselves for their benefit. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:46 This is where the human side of Jesus shows its face. Its a battle many have fought. When you are down to your lowest level and you feel as though all hope is lost and God is not hearing your prayers or maybe you have fallen out of favor, just remember that Jesus, the son of God, also shared your feelings. If the son of God felt deserted, even momentarily, by his father and allowed that pain to be expressed through spoken emotion and was allowed to enter into his fathers kingdom, you too can be forgiven for your doubt. I thirst. John 19:28 Again the human element of Jesus is emerging. His body is going through shock from wounds inflicted. Life inflicts all types of wounds to us on a daily basis. We all thirst and attempt to quench that thirst in a variety of ways. For many the only true way to quench this thirst is through the word. The word quenches the thirst of those going through lifes battles. It is... finished; John 19:29-30 Here he recognizes that his suffering is done and his work is completed. Coming to terms with the end of your story allows you to reflect, if briefly, on your life. It also helps with coping with what comes next. It helps you to accept that your part of the story, good or bad, is done. Sometimes we need this self realization in order to move on peacefully. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit. Luke 23:46 These were the last words spoken right before he dies. It shows that after all he has been through, after all the doubt, all the caring for others, and after people turning their back on him, in the end he truly left it up to God. In the end, no matter what we go through, we must leave it in Gods hands and have faith that all will be well. It is this faith that gives us the will to live every day and it is this faith that will give us the peace when it is our time to leave our human bodies. In the end faith is all one has and the strength of that faith will determine how we live our lives.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 07:38:48 +0000
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