The 7 Last Words of Jesus on the Cross

Here are the 7 Last Words of Jesus on the Cross. This Good Friday make an extra effort to go to Stations of the Cross at 3pm, say the Divine Mercy Chaplet with your family, or pray the sorrowful mysteries of the rosary. If you can’t do any of those, meditate on the passages below. Read them slowly.

THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS

1. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23-34) Jesus is tortured and crucified yet He is able to forgive those who do it.  Can we refuse to forgive those who hurt us and still expect to be with Him forever in heaven? Think about it. Let go of your hurts.

2. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) Jesus is reciting the first line of psalm 32 which describes His crucifixion.  The Jews are as familiar with this psalm as we are with the Lord’s Prayer. Read and meditate this psalm. Realize that it is prophetic for the Jews.

3. “Woman Behold your son…. Son behold your mother.” (John 19:26-27) Jesus seeing His Mother at the foot of the cross gives her to the apostle John and to each of us as a mother. She is the new Eve promised by God in Genesis 3:15.   She is the new Mother of the living. In Latin Eve is Eva, now reverse the spelling. It becomes the first word of the angel. ‘Ave.’ Is she your mother?

4. “I thirst!”(John 19:28) Jesus thirsts for souls. This is why He came to suffer and die for us. He thirsts for you and me. Will you come to the cross today and seek His salvation? It can be yours.

5. “I say to you today, you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Everyone who repents of their sins can receive the same response as the good thief. Confess your sins and live forever.

6. “It is finished!” (John 19:30) Jesus has accomplished what He came to do. He has paid the debt of our sins. Don’t let His suffering and crucifixion be wasted. Approach Him today and kiss His feet at the exultation of the cross during today’s Liturgy. This could be your victory day.

7. “Father into your hands I commend my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) Jesus surrenders His life to the Father. We should surrender our lives each day and each moment of each day also. Let go!