Famous Last Words
By Doug Long
Here is a selection of last words spoken by people,
Vespasian, (Roman Emperor) "Oh my, I must be turning into a god!" Vespasian thought that the idea of deification was absurd.
John Adams, "Thomas Jefferson still survives."
Elizabeth I, Queen of England "All my possessions for a moment of time."
Holmes, John (1812-1899) brother of Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "John Rogers did." He said this after lying very still for a long time. A nurse was checking to see if he had passed away and decided to check his feet for warmth, she explained to those assembled that no one dies with warm feet. John Rodgers was burned at the stake.
These and other last words spoken by people can be interesting. Sometimes these words can be down right funny, at other times they can be moving. Jesus spoke 7 times while on the cross. He spoke these words while in agony, but he didn’t forget to show mercy to those who were putting him to death. He remembered his mother, and he showed compassion to a man being crucified next to him. When Jesus went to the cross he spoke words that would be remembered for 2000 years. He never wavered in the things he taught us. Here is what he said.
The first thing Jesus did was pray for others.
Luke 23:34
34Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Jesus told us in Matthew 5:43-44 to love our enemy and pray for those who persecute us. While Jesus was on the cross he practiced what he taught us.
Even though Jesus was in agony, He comforted the thief who was being crucified next to him. This speaks to his compassion and love.
Luke 23:43
43And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Jesus remembered to take care of his mother. He was devoted to his mother till the end. He put others before himself. He did this in life and he didn’t change.
John 19:26-27
26When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" 27Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that
disciple took her to his own home.
The next thing that Jesus said tells us how much agony He was in. His anguish was not just physical it was emotional too. He was separated from the father. I can’t tell you which was worse, but I would guess that being separated from the father must have been unbearable to him.
Matthew 27:46
46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
The Fifth thing Jesus said was I thirst. This tells us that even though Jesus was the Son of God, He was altogether human. He also waited until all things had been accomplished before he said this.
John 19:28
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!"
Jesus then said simply, “it is finished”. He had done everything required of him.
John 19:30
30So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
The final thing that Jesus said, He said to his father in heaven.
Luke 23:46
46And 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.
These words are memorable and moving. Jesus could have stopped his torture at any time, but He chose to endure it because of His love for us. He endured physical pain, and worse, the mental and emotional anguish of being separated from the Father. He did it for you and me.
