The Seven Last Words

The Seven Last Words

Our last words carry weight. You feel it at these moments:
• In the words you speak when leaving the house to go to work
• When heading off to war
• When you’re at the bedside of someone who is near death
• When breathing your last breath

Beginning Ash Wednesday, we are going to experience the last words Jesus spoke from the cross. They comprise what we often call “The Seven Last Words.”


The Seven Last words of Jesus are actually seven statements:
I. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. Luke 23:34. …
II. Today you will be with me in paradise. Luke 23:43. …
III. Behold your son: behold your mother. …
IV. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? …
V. I thirst. …
VI. It is finished. …
VII.  Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.


With each week, we hope that you will not only grow in your understanding of the significance of Jesus’ work on the cross, but you’ll grow to know more deeply how Jesus’ actions have affected you.
Here’s a little of what we see in Jesus’ last words:
COMPLETION: Jesus has accomplished His mission. Jesus saw His sin-bearing, saving work as fully done. We should too. The end of our trying to save ourselves, fix ourselves has come. Atonement is accomplished.


CONTINUATION: When Jesus said, “It is finished”, He gave no indication that He was finished. There’s a big difference between saying “It is finished” and “I am finished.” Jesus is alive and active. His atoning work is done, but He is not. His interceding, strengthening, resurrection-empowering, perfecting-Himself-in-us work rolls on. The seat Jesus has taken at the right hand of His Father is an active seat, not a passive one. He takes His place on a throne not a couch.


Are you feeling exhausted from trying to save yourself? Are you ready to experience the grace of God pouring down from the cross? Are you longing to see God at work even when evil seems to win the day? Are you ready to have a deeper understanding of God’s working His good through difficult circumstances?


Come Wednesday nights beginning March 2.
Suppers are served at 4:30pm with worship at 6pm.
AND MORE: Sign up for a small group!!! There, you’ll be able to share time with great people and deepen your understanding of what Jesus has accomplished.
And don’t forget – Bring your friends!

Keep and Live the Faith, Pr. David G. Dahl

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