Seven Last Words of Christ from the Cross
Table of Contents

Preface 2
References and Abbreviations 4
Table of Contents 6
Reprint Guidelines 8
1. Father, Forgive Them (Luke 23:34) 9
  An Unselfish Prayer 9
  Father – a term of trust, confidence, and endearment 10
  Who Does the "Them" Refer To? 11
  Did We Know What We Were Doing? 12
  What Does It Mean to Forgive? 12
2. This Day You Will Be with Me in Paradise (Luke 23:43) 15
  Scripture Is Fulfilled 15
  Angry Insults from a Dying Criminal 16
  This Man Has Done Nothing Wrong 17
  Remember Me in Your Kingdom 17
  Is the Thief Saved? 18
  How about Deathbed Conversions? 19
  Today You´ll Be with Me in Paradise 19
  Implications for Soul Sleep 20
  Faith and Promise 20
3. Woman, Behold Your Son (John 19:26-27) 22
  Jesus´Mother at the Foot of the Cross 22
  The Identity of the Other Women 22
  The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved 23
  Woman, Here Is Your Son 24
  The Love of a Son for His Mother 25
  What Does This Word from the Cross Teach Us? 25
  What Are We to Learn from the Third Word? 25
4. My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? (Mark 15:34) 28
  Six Hours on the Cross 28
  Darkness over the Land 28
  A Darkness that Can Be Felt 30
  Crying in a Loud Voice 30
  Eloi, Eloi, My God, My God! 30
  Why Have You Forsaken Me? 31
  Attempts to Mitigate the Cry of Desolation 31
  Why Is Jesus Cut Off from God? 32
  The Lamb of God 32
  The Garden of Gethsemane 33
  The Darkness, the Horror, and the Forsakenness 33
5. I Thirst (John 19:28) 35
  The Fulfillment of Scripture 35
  The First Offering of Wine 35
  The Second Offering of Wine Vinegar (Posca) 36
  The Sponge 36
  A Man Like No Other 37
  The Hyssop 37
  Receiving the Posca 38
  What Does This Word Tell Us? 38
6. It Is Finished (John 19:30) 41
  What Did Jesus Come to Accomplish? 41
  The Cup and the Baptism 41
  It Is Finished! 42
  A Cry of Victory 43
  The Announcement of Obedience Fulfilled 43
  What Should We Learn from "It Is Finished"? 43
7. Father, Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit (Luke 23:46) 46
  Temple Curtain Torn 46
  Jesus Final Word (Luke 23:46) 47
Appendix 1. Questions for Group Discussion 50
Appendix 2. Hymns and Songs Appropriate for Good Friday or Maundy Thursday Services 52
  Traditional 52
  Contemporary 54

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