THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST

By Mark Jordan | April 16, 2025

JESUS IS LED AWAY TO HIS DEATH

Song: Homecoming
Luke 23:32-34 | ³²Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. ³³When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. ³⁴Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Prayer: Almighty God, to whom your crucified Son prayed for the forgiveness of those who did not know what they were doing, grant that we, too, may be included in that prayer. Whether we sin out of ignorance or intention, be merciful to us and grant us your acceptance and peace: in the name of Jesus Christ, our suffering Savior. Amen.

JESUS AND THE CRIMINALS

Song: Lead Me to the Cross
Luke 23:38-43 | “³⁸There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. ³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴²Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, who promised to the repentant the joy of paradise, enable us by the Holy Spirit to repent and to receive your grace in this world and in the world to come. Amen.

JESUS AND HIS MOTHER

Song: Highlands (Song of Ascent)
John 19:25-27 | ²⁵Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Prayer: Blessed Savior, who in your hours of greatest suffering expressed compassion for your mother and made arrangements for her care, grant that we who seek to follow your example may show our concern for the needs of others, reaching out to provide for those who suffer in our human family. Hear this our prayer for your mercy’s sake. Amen.

JESUS FEELS SEPARATED FROM THE FATHER (BRENT)

Song: Scandal of Grace
Matthew 27:45-46 | ⁴⁵From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
Prayer: Almighty God, who forsook your Son upon the cross showing the world your judgment upon human sin and guilt, grant us, upon hearing his cry, the grace to know and believe that we will never be forsaken, that he is present with us even to the end of the age: for the sake of Jesus Christ who bore our sins on the cross. Amen.

JESUS FULFILLS PROPHECY

Song: Christ and Christ Crucified
John 19:28-29 | ²⁸Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
Prayer: Blessed Savior, whose lips were dry and whose throat was parched, grant us the water of life that we who thirst after righteousness may find it quenched by your love and mercy, leading us to bring this same relief to others. Amen.

JESUS ACCOMPLISHES HIS MISSION

Song: Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)
John 19:30 | ³⁰When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work that you were sent to do, enable us by your Holy Spirit to be faithful to our call. Grant us strength to bear our crosses and endure our sufferings, even unto death. Enable us to live and love so faithfully that we also become good news to the world, joining your witness. O Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

JESUS DIES

Song: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
Luke 23:44-49 | ⁴⁴It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. ⁴⁷The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” ⁴⁸When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. ⁴⁹But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

REFLECTION

John 11:25-26 | Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Prayer: Father, into whose hands your Son Jesus Christ commended his spirit, grant that we too, following his example, may in all of life and at the moment of our death entrust our lives into your faithful hands of love. In the name of Jesus who gave his life for us all. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

Forgiveness: How can I extend forgiveness to those who have wronged me, even when it feels difficult, in light of Jesus’ example of forgiving his persecutors from the cross?
Hope: How does Jesus’ promise of paradise to the repentant thief inspire me to trust in God’s mercy and grace, especially in moments of doubt or unworthiness?
Care: In what ways can I show love and responsibility for those around me, particularly in my family or community, as Jesus cared for his mother even in his suffering?
Suffering: When I experience feelings of abandonment or despair, how can I find strength in knowing that Jesus endured similar struggles and remained faithful to God?
Surrender: What areas of my life am I holding onto tightly, and how can I practice entrusting them to God, following Jesus’ example of complete surrender on the cross?