Precious Parting Words
Will anyone remember our last words? Will we have the chance to say them? Many people leave this world without the opportunity to say goodbye. Many last words are forgotten because the life that was lived gave no reason to remember them. We should live each day as if it were our last. We should speak with the expectation that what we say may be our last opportunity.
I know that I often speak in anger, frustration, or disappointment and say things which I don’t want to be remembered. How tragic it would be if they became the last one which I speak. We all hope that our final words are worthy of being remembered and that those who hear them will do so. That requires that we live a life that causes people to listen. This requires a concern for others which leads to our expressing love for them through our actions. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.
The Lord Jesus Christ lived the most important and worthwhile life this world has ever seen. We should remember all of his words, not just the last ones. However, his last ones were definitely some of his most important. People may remember our last words if we take them to heart and apply them to our lives.
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)
This is the true battle we face. We have to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow him. (Luke 9:27) His sacrifice on the cross was his last action. It is our example to follow. (1 Peter 2:21)
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world…” (John 18:36)
Jesus made it clear that anyone who uses a sword or a gun in his name will die by it. (Matthew 26:52). Governments have been given power by God (Romans 13:1-4), but Christ’s kingdom is in our hearts. Our weapon is love. We are to overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21) Faith cannot be forced. (Revelation 3:20) We persuade men and women, boys and girls. (2 Corinthians 5:11) We don’t kill them, and praise God that he doesn’t kill us.
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus said this right after he had large iron nails pounded through his hands and feet and was lifted up on the cross. He had to put pressure on his feet and push up his body in order to be able to speak. It would have caused agonizing pain. Yet he was the one who had told Peter that he could ask his Father to send twelve legions of angels. (Matthew 26:53) One angel had killed 185,000 Assyrians. (2 Kings 19:35) Jesus could have wiped out every Roman legion if he wanted. Instead, he forgave the small group which had spat on him, mocked him, beaten him, and nailed him to the cross. He wanted to save them even though they were killing him. He had preached that we should love our enemies. (Matthew 5:44) He practiced what he preached.
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (John 19:30)
These are the last words of Jesus while he was in the flesh on this earth. They might be the most remarkable of all. The English words “It is finished” are a single Greek word in the original scroll: Tetelestai. The following is quoted from the Google AI Overview of this Greek word and its historical and cultural use.
- “It was commonly written across receipts or documents to mean ‘Paid in Full’, indicating that s financial debt had been fully satisfied.
- “It signified that a criminal had fully served a prison sentence or that the demands of justice had been completely met.”
- “A military commander might shout it to declare complete victory over an enemy.”
Christ died as a common criminal, but he shouted his final word as the sovereign of the universe and victorious warrior who paid the sin debt of all mankind to free us from under the control of Satan.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
He will receive our worship and gratitude throughout eternity because of his final words and perfect death.
It Is Finished by Advent World
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