There are ultimate words that surpass all others in importance and transcendence. They are the final words that Jesus said before delivering his spirit to the Father, after suffering a cruel crucifixion. These words are known as the seven words of Jesus on the cross. Have you wondered what meaning they have and what message they want to transmit to us? In this text, I am going to tell you everything you need to know and how this can change your life forever.
The first word is:
“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Luke 23:34. This was the first thing Jesus said before dying on the cross. Jesus, the Son of God, the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world, was delivered by one of his disciples, Judas, to the Jewish authorities who falsely accused him of blasphemy and sedition. He was brought before the Roman governor, Pilate, who condemned him to death by pressure from the crowd that shouted:
“Crucify him, crucify him!”
He was scourged, crowned with thorns, dressed in purple, and mocked by the soldiers who said to him:
“Hail, king of the Jews!”
He was forced to carry his own cross to Mount Calvary, where he was nailed to it between two thieves. He was insulted, despised, abandoned by almost all his followers. He was subjected to the greatest physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering that can be imagined. Do you realize what Jesus said? He did not say:
“Father, punish them because they have done me much harm.”
He did not say:
“Father, take revenge because they have offended me much.”
He did not say:
“Father, destroy them.”
This word shows us the heart of Jesus full of love, compassion, and mercy. Jesus did not hold a grudge, nor hatred, nor resentment toward his enemies. On the contrary, he forgave them and asked his Father to also forgive them. Jesus knew that they acted out of ignorance, spiritual blindness, and the influence of the evil one. Jesus did not judge them, but rather loved them.
This word also shows us the purpose of Jesus, which was to die for our sins to reconcile us with God, to give us a new opportunity. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save it. Jesus did not come to destroy, but to restore. Jesus did not come to separate, but to unite. Jesus came to give his life for us so that we may have life in him.
Keep very present that this word shows us the example of Jesus, who teaches us to forgive as he forgave us, to love as he loved us, to bless as he blessed us. Jesus tells us that if we want to be his disciples, we have to follow his steps, we have to imitate his character, we have to adopt his attitude. Jesus tells us that if we want to be children of God, we have to forgive our brothers, we have to pray for our enemies, we have to do good to those who do us harm.
What do you think of this first word of Jesus? Does it not make you think about how much Jesus loves you or how much Jesus forgives you? This is only the beginning. Jesus said another six words on the cross, and each of them has a profound meaning and a practical application for your life. So let us continue with the following word, which is one of the most important.
The second word of Jesus on the cross was:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43. Jesus, the one who had healed the sick, fed the hungry, forgiven sinners, and raised the dead, was about to deliver his life out of love for us. Jesus, the one who had announced the kingdom of God, taught the truth, fulfilled the law, and revealed the will of the Father, was about to consummate his redemptive work. Jesus, the one who had been acclaimed as the Son of David, the Son of Man, the Son of God, was about to demonstrate his glory and his power. Do you realize what Jesus said? He did not say:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will suffer eternal punishment.”
He did not say:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will regret your sins.”
He did not say:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will miss salvation.”
No, Jesus said:
“Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
This word was directed to one of the two thieves who were crucified next to him, the one who recognized his guilt and asked him to remember him when he entered his kingdom. Jesus assured him that that very day he would be with him in heaven, in the place of peace, of joy, of communion with God. Jesus gave him the hope of eternal life, of salvation, of grace.
In the same way, this word shows us the heart of Jesus full of love, compassion, and mercy. Jesus did not reject, nor despise, nor condemn the thief. On the contrary, he accepted him, valued him, and saved him. Jesus knew that he was a sinner, but he also knew that he had faith, that he repented, and that he recognized him as his Lord. Jesus did not judge him for his past, but rather loved him for his present.
We can recognize that this word also shows us the example of Jesus, who teaches us to trust in him, to follow him, to obey him, and to love him. Jesus tells us that if we want to be his disciples, we have to believe in him, we have to repent of our sins, and we have to recognize him as our Lord. Jesus tells us that if we want to be children of God, we have to receive his grace, his forgiveness, and his salvation. Jesus tells us that if we want to enter paradise, we have to be with him, we have to live for him, and we have to die with him.
We thus arrive at the third word of Jesus on the cross. This is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 19, verses 26 and 27. It says like this: When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother:
“Woman, behold your son!”
Afterward, he said to the disciple:
“Behold your mother!”
And from that hour, the disciple received her into his home. What does this word mean? Why does Jesus tell his mother that the disciple is her son, and the disciple that Mary is his mother? What message does he want to transmit to us with this? To understand it better, we have to put it in context.
Jesus was on the cross suffering a cruel and painful death out of love for us. At his side, there were two thieves who were also crucified. One of them mocked Jesus, and the other asked him to remember him when he entered his kingdom. Jesus promised him that he would be with him in paradise. That was his second word on the cross.
But Jesus did not only worry about the sinners who repented, but also about his own mother, who was at the foot of the cross together with the disciple whom he loved, who was John. Jesus knew that his mother was going to be left alone and helpless, without her only son, who was her support and her consolation. Jesus also knew that John was the only one of the twelve apostles who had not abandoned him, and that he was the youngest and the most faithful. Therefore, Jesus wanted to entrust his mother to him so that he would care for her and protect her as if she were his own mother, and to his mother, he wanted to give a spiritual son to accompany her and console her in her pain.
This shows us the love and the concern of Jesus for the physical sustenance of his mother Mary. Jesus did not forget her, nor did he leave her alone, but rather gave her a new home and a new family. Jesus thus fulfilled the fourth commandment, which says: Honor your father and your mother. Jesus honored his mother and taught us to do the same.
But this word of Jesus also has a deeper and more spiritual meaning. Jesus did not only give Mary a human son, but he also gave all Christians as her children. Jesus made us brothers and sisters of his, and he gave us Mary as our celestial mother. Mary is the mother of the church, the mother of all believers, the mother of grace and mercy. Mary intercedes for us before her son Jesus and helps us to follow her example of faith, hope, and love. This shows us the love and the concern of Jesus for the spiritual sustenance of his mother Mary. Jesus did not only bless her, but he also made her a blessing for all of us. Jesus thus fulfilled his mission, which was to save us and make us children of God. Jesus saved us.
This is the story of the third word of Jesus on the cross, a word that reveals to us the love and the concern of Jesus for his mother Mary and teaches us a very important lesson about family, a lesson that we must apply in our life and that will make us happier and holier. The following word is perhaps one of the most well-known, so pay close attention to the following.
The fourth word of Jesus on the cross was:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
This phrase we find in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, and it is a quote from Psalm 22, a prophetic psalm that describes the suffering of the Messiah. Jesus pronounced it in Aramaic, the language he spoke, and some of those who were near thought that he was calling Elijah the prophet, who according to Jewish tradition would come before the day of the Lord. But Jesus was not calling anyone, but rather he was expressing his pain and his anguish upon feeling abandoned by his Father.
But how is it possible that Jesus felt abandoned by God if he himself was God? Was the communion between the Father and the Son broken on the cross? Did God turn his back on Jesus when he needed it most? The answer is no. God never abandoned Jesus, nor did Jesus cease to be God. What happened was that Jesus, in his humanity, experienced the weight of sin and the curse that fell upon him by dying in our place. Jesus carried all our sins, and therefore he suffered the separation from God that we deserved. Jesus became sin for us so that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. That is what the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:21. Jesus identified with us to the extreme, and therefore he cried out with a loud voice:
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
But there is something more that you must know about this phrase, and this is one of the most important things. Jesus did not only say this phrase to express his suffering, but also to give us a hope. How is that? I will explain it to you. Jesus said this phrase so that we never have to say it. Jesus felt abandoned by God so that we never feel abandoned by him. Jesus suffered the separation from God so that we can enjoy communion with him. Jesus died on the cross so that we can live eternally with him. Jesus paid the price of our sin so that we can receive the gift of his grace. Jesus loved us so much that he gave his life for us so that we can love him and follow him.
That is what the fourth word of Jesus on the cross means. That is what Jesus did for you and for me. Does it not fill you with gratitude and joy? Does it not motivate you to deliver your life to him? If the answer is yes, I invite you then to continue with the following word.
The fifth word of Jesus on the cross was:
“I thirst.”
So says the Gospel of John, chapter 19, verse 28. Let me read it for you: After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said:
“I thirst.”
What meaning does this phrase have? What does it reveal to us about Jesus and his mission? Well, there are several things that we can learn from this word.
The first is that Jesus demonstrated his physical suffering on the cross. He felt the pain, the thirst, the tiredness, the anguish of dying on a cross. He did not escape from his destiny, but rather he assumed it with love and obedience to the Father. He became one of us, shared our humanity, and experienced what we experience. He identified with us in everything except sin.
The second thing that we can learn from this word is that Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 22 about giving him vinegar to drink. Psalm 22 is a messianic psalm, that is to say, it speaks of the Messiah, the anointed one of God who would come to save his people. This psalm describes with much precision what happened to Jesus on the cross, as if the psalmist had been present at that moment. For example, the psalm says: All those who see me mock me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying: He trusted in the Lord, let him rescue him; let him deliver him, since he delights in him. Psalm 22:7-8. This is exactly what those who passed by the place of the crucifixion said to him, according to Matthew 27:39-43.
But there is a part of the psalm that relates directly to the fifth word of Jesus. The psalm says: My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue clings to my jaws; you have brought me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed me. They pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones. They look and stare at me. They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22:15-18. Here we see that the psalmist describes the thirst that the Messiah feels, the dryness of his mouth, the piercing of his hands and feet, the division of his clothes. All this was fulfilled in Jesus.
But there is something more. The psalm continues saying: But you, O Lord, do not be far from me; O my Strength, hasten to help me! Deliver my life from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! Psalm 22:19-21. Here the psalmist asks God to save him from his enemies, to deliver him from death, and God hears him because the psalm ends with a tone of praise and hope. Let me share it with you. It says the following: I will declare your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him, and fear him, all you offspring of Israel! For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has he hidden his face from him; but when he cried to him, he heard. My praise shall be of you in the great assembly; I will pay my vows before those who fear him. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him will praise the Lord. May your heart live forever! All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and he rules over the nations. All the prosperous of the earth shall eat and worship; all those who go down to the dust shall bow before him, even he who cannot keep himself alive. A posterity shall serve him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, they will come and declare his righteousness to a people who will be born, that he has done this. Psalm 22:22-31.
In conclusion, Jesus, by saying “I thirst,” is also expressing his desire that all of us draw near to him, that we drink from his fountain of living water, that we satisfy our thirst for happiness with his love. Jesus invites us to unite ourselves to his passion, to offer our sufferings for the salvation of the world, to participate in his victory over death. Jesus tells us:
“I thirst for you, for your love, for your trust, for your surrender. Come to me, and I will give you the water that will make you live forever.”
John 4:14. In this way, we arrive at the following word. Listen well, because this is going to move you.
Jesus said:
“It is finished.”
John 19:30. Jesus, the one who had come into the world out of love for the Father and for us, had a very important mission to fulfill. Jesus, the one who had been sent by God to be the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world, had to offer his life as a sacrifice for us. Jesus, the one who had been prophesied by the ancients as the suffering servant, the Messiah, the Redeemer, had to suffer many things for our salvation. Do you realize what Jesus said? He did not say:
“It is failed.”
He did not say:
“It is incomplete.”
He did not say:
“It is insufficient.”
No, Jesus said:
“It is finished.”
This word means that Jesus had finished his work, that he had fulfilled his mission, that he had realized his purpose. Jesus had paid the price of our sins, had satisfied the justice of God, had defeated the devil, the world, and death. Jesus had opened the way to heaven, had established the new covenant, had poured out his blood, his love, and his grace. Jesus had done everything he had to do, and he had done it well, perfectly, gloriously.
This word shows us the heart of Jesus full of love, obedience, and faithfulness. Jesus did not give up, nor did he deviate, nor did he repent of his mission. On the contrary, he fulfilled it until the end with courage, with humility, with joy. Jesus loved the Father and us with all his being, with all his soul, with all his mind, with all his strength.
Keep very much in mind that this word also shows us the purpose of Jesus, which was to die for our sins to reconcile us with God, to give us a new opportunity. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save it. Jesus did not come to destroy, but to restore. Jesus did not come to separate, but to unite. Jesus came to give his life for us so that we have life in him. What do you think of this sixth word of Jesus? Does it not make you think about how much Jesus loves you or how much he blesses you? This is toward the final part. Jesus said one more word on the cross, and it is one of the most transcendental. If you want to know what that word is and what it wants to say to us, then let us discover it.
The seventh word of Jesus on the cross is found in the Gospel of Lucas, chapter 23, verse 46. It says like this: And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said:
“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
And having said this, he expired. What does this word mean? Why does Jesus say that he commits his spirit into the hands of his Father? To understand it better, we have to put it in context.
Jesus was on the cross after having suffered a terrible passion out of love for us. He had been betrayed, denied, abandoned, arrested, judged, scourged, crowned with thorns, mocked, insulted, and nailed to the cross. He had forgiven his enemies, promised paradise to the repented thief, entrusted his mother to John and to us, expressed his thirst for souls, and cried out to his Father for his abandonment. He had fulfilled all the prophecies and had realized his mission. Now Jesus was about to die, and he knew it. But he did not die as a victim, but as a victor. He did not die by chance, but by will. He did not die out of weakness, but out of power. Jesus died as the Lord of life who has control over his own death. Jesus died as the Son of God who has confidence in his own Father. Jesus died as the Savior of the world who has love for his own work.
Jesus, by saying “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” shows us that he delivers his spirit in total control of his crucifixion. Jesus does not let death dominate him, but rather he dominates death. Jesus does not wait for death to surprise him, but rather he anticipates death. Jesus does not suffer death as a punishment, but rather he offers death as a gift. Jesus does not lose life, but rather he gives life.
Jesus, by saying “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” reveals to us the culminated work of Jesus on the cross and his sacrifice out of love. Jesus does not only die, but he rises. Jesus does not only pay the price of our sins, but he opens the doors of heaven for us. Jesus does not only deliver us from evil, but he fills us with good. Jesus does not only reconcile us with the Father, but he makes us children of God. This is the story of the seventh word of Jesus on the cross, a word that shows us the control and the confidence of Jesus in his crucifixion, and reveals to us the culminated work of Jesus on the cross and his sacrifice out of love, a word that we must meditate upon and be grateful for, and that will make us more faithful and more joyful.
We have arrived at the end of the video. However, before you go, I ask that please in this space we briefly recapitulate what we have learned and how we can apply the seven words of Jesus before dying in our own lives.
One. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This phrase we find in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus said it when he was being nailed to the cross, surrounded by soldiers, thieves, and mockers. Jesus did not insult them, nor did he curse them, nor did he ask for revenge. On the contrary, he forgave them and asked his Father to also forgive them. Jesus taught us that forgiveness is the best response to evil, and that we must forgive our enemies just as he forgave us. Have you forgiven those who have done you harm? Have you asked for forgiveness from those you have offended?
Two. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” This Jesus said to one of the thieves who was crucified next to him and who recognized his innocence and his divinity. Jesus promised him that that very day he would be with him in heaven and that he would enjoy his presence and his peace. Jesus showed us that his grace is sufficient to save us, and that it does not matter what we have done if we repent and believe in him, we will have eternal life. Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior? Do you have the assurance that you will go to heaven when you die?
Three. “Woman, behold your son! Son, behold your mother!” Jesus said this to his mother Mary and to his beloved disciple John, who were next to the cross. Jesus entrusted them the one to the other so that they would care for each other and console each other. Jesus demonstrated to us that his love is unconditional and that he worries about our needs and about our relationships. Jesus wants us to love our family, our friends, and all those who surround us just as he loved us. Do you love your family? Do you have good friends? Do you worry about others?
Four. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This phrase we find in the Gospels of Matthew and of Mark. Jesus said it in Aramaic, the language he spoke in his daily life. Jesus took it from Psalm 22, which is a prayer of anguish and of trust in God. Jesus expressed the pain and the loneliness that he felt upon carrying the sins of all humanity. Jesus experienced the separation from God that is the consequence of sin. Jesus showed us that his love is so great that he was capable of suffering the unspeakable for us. Jesus wants us to know that he understands our suffering, that he shares our weakness, that he accompanies us in our trial. Do you suffer for something? Do you feel that God has abandoned you? Do you trust that God loves you?
Five. “I thirst.” This phrase we find in the Gospel of John, chapter 19, verse 28. Jesus said it when he was about to die, after having suffered much physically and spiritually. Jesus felt thirst, not only for water, but also for justice, for love, and for salvation. Jesus revealed to us that he is true man and that he experienced all the weaknesses and temptations that we have, but without sin. Jesus also reminded us that he is the living water and that only he can satisfy our thirst for God, for truth, and for life. Do you have a thirst for God? Have you drunk from the water that Jesus offers you?
Six. “It is finished.” This phrase we find in the same Gospel of John, chapter 19, verse 30. Jesus said it when he had fulfilled his mission and had paid the price of our redemption. Jesus declared that everything was done, that nothing was lacking, that his work was perfect and complete. Jesus assured us that his sacrifice is effective and that there is nothing we can do to add or take away from his work. Jesus invited us to trust in him and to rest in his grace. Do you believe that Jesus did everything for you? Do you rest in his finished work?
Seven. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” This phrase we find in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 23, verse 46. Jesus said it when he was ready to deliver his life and trust in the will of his Father. Jesus commended himself to God and delivered his spirit to him, knowing that on the third day he would rise. Jesus taught us to trust in God and to deliver our life to him, knowing that he has control of everything and that he will give us the victory over death. Do you trust in God? Do you deliver your life to him?
These were the seven words of Jesus on the cross, the words that changed the world and that can change your life. These words show us the love, the grace, the truth, and the power of Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior, the Lord. These words call us to remember and accept the sacrifice of Jesus, the only one who can forgive our sins and give us eternal life. These words invite us to reflect on the meaning of Holy Week, the most important week of the year, the week that we celebrate the death and the resurrection of Jesus. These words remind us of the necessity of believing in Jesus and of following him with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind.
