Final Words

When I was a senior in high school, we went on a field trip to Georgia State Prison. Part of the trip included going to death row and seeing the electric chair. Yes, I have sat in the electric chair. While there, we also got to see the final words of the people who had been executed. I remember standing in the small room and reading those statements.

The Bible gives us the final words of another who was executed, but His words were not simply words of remorse, but words that changed the very fabric of creation. These are the final words of Jesus.

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Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

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!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!”

John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

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Jesus' first two statements on the cross (Luke 23:34; 43) were both concerning others. The subject of both was forgiveness. In the first, He asked His Father to forgive those who were mistreating Him. Jesus knew He was dying as an innocent man, and He asked God to not hold the sins that took Him to the cross against the guilty. Then, we see the redemption of the thief on the cross. The first cry was a general cry, but the second was specific. It is the difference in Him saying, I am going to forgive people for doing wrong, and Him looking someone in the eyes and saying "I forgive you".

His third statement was putting His affairs in order. Many times we think of this as making things right with God, but Jesus did not have to do that. His whole life had been right with God. He was making sure His mom was taken care of for the rest of her life. He placed the care of His mother in the hands of someone He knew would be around for the rest of her life (He knew because He is God) and that would care for her faithfully.

Jesus's fourth statement is His cry of the most severe pain He suffered. It was emotional and spiritual pain. For the first time in ALL of eternity (and the only time in eternity), He was separated from God the Father. He had the sins of every person who had ever lived, was currently living, and would live after his death upon Him. Think about how one bad choice can weigh us down. He had every sin that any human would ever commit on Him, and God had to turn His eyes away from Him. The prophet Habakkuk said of God, "You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, And cannot look on wickedness" (Habakkuk 1:13). Jesus felt that moment, and He knew that He was all alone.

The fifth statement was of physical suffering. Jesus had sweat severely in the Garden. He had suffered blood loss for hours. His body was craving fluids! He cried out with a parched mouth from His discomfort. They offered Him "oxos" which could be sour wine, or vinegar mixed with water. The word translated "received" means that the "oxos" was offered but does not mean that He drank it. Regardless, He would give up the ghost in just a few short moments.

His last two statements are a declaration of His completed mission. The first "It is finished" would be better translated "Paid in full". The price for our sins was "Paid in full". There would never need to be another payment for sin. There is no need for penance. Jesus paid it all! Then he said "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit", and He gave up the ghost. Though people put Him on the cross, His death was His choice, and on His terms. He decided when He would die, and the time had come. His mission to offer salvation to humanity was complete. His final two statements, like His first two statements on the cross pertained to His mission of forgiving the sins of mankind.

The look of love was on his face Thornes were on his head The blood was on his scarlet robe Stained a crimson red Though his eyes were on the crowd that day He looked ahead in time Cause when he was on the cross I was on his mind

He knew me, yet he loved me He whose glory makes the heavens shine So unworthy of such mercy Yet when he was on the cross I was on his mind

When He was on the Cross, I was on His Mind

By: Ronald Payne and Ronny Hinson