The Seven Words of Christ from the Cross

The Cross
  1. Over time, there’s been an interest in knowing what someone’s ‘last words’ were. Why are people interested in that, do you think?

We’re going to look at Jesus’ words from the cross, traditionally called the seven last words of Christ.

Read the following verses:

Luke 23:34; John 19:26-27; Luke 23:43; John 19:28; Matt 27:46; Luke 23:46; John 19:30

  1. Considering the sayings above as a whole:
    • Who are they addressed to, and what does that tell us about Jesus?
    • How much are his words influenced by Scripture, and what does that tell us?
  2. Look at Luke 23:32-34.
    • How does our culture view forgiveness today? Is it needed? How is it gained?
    • Read Isaiah 53:11-12. What do Christ’s words tell us about him and about forgiveness?
  3. Look at John 19:25-27.
    • What is remarkable about these words?
    • How do the death and resurrection of Jesus make true community and deep relationships possible?
  4. Read Luke 23:39-43.
    • What does this episode tell us about how the approach of death can affect people?
    • What do Jesus’ words tell us about mercy?
    • What do they tell us about what happens after death?
  5. Read John 19:28-29.
    • How does Christ being thirsty fulfil the Scripture? (See Ps 22:14-15 and 69:19-21)
    • Considering what Jesus says to the woman at the well (John 4:13-15) and at the Feast of Booths (John 7:37-39), what is ironic about what Jesus being thirsty? What does this tell us about the atonement?
  6. Read Matthew 27:45-46.
    • What is Jesus quoting and what does this tell us?
    • How can the Bible become so much a part of you that it shapes the way you respond to trials?
    • Was Jesus forsaken by God the Father? Why do you answer the way you do?
    • What Old Testament images/shadows shape our understanding of atonement and what part does separation play in these?
  7. Read John 19:30.
    • What is finished?
    • Why should these words give us great hope and confidence?
  8. Read Luke 23:44-46
    • What do these words tell us of Jesus’ faith in God?
    • Read Psalm 31:1-5. What does Jesus quoting these words tell us?
    • Why do we need Jesus to stay faithful to the end?

Leader’s notes

  1. Look at John 19:25-27.
    • What is remarkable about these words?
      Jesus cares for people when he is in greatest pain; he calls his mother ‘woman’ – there is distance and yet relationship. He cares for her even in his death.
  1. Read John 19:28-29.
    • Considering what Jesus says to the woman at the well (John 4:13-15) and at the Feast of Booths (John 7:37-39), what is ironic about what Jesus being thirsty? What does this tell us about the atonement?
      He became thirsty that our thirst might be forever quenched
  2. Read Matthew 27:45-46.
    • What is Jesus quoting and what does this tell us?
      Psalm 22:1 – it tells us that in his darkest time his response was soaked in Scripture; that he is the ultimate innocent sufferer of Ps 22
    • Was Jesus forsaken by God the Father? Why do you answer the way you do?
      Jesus is experiencing the God forsakenness of the sinner. God the Father turned his face away from Christ as he bore our sin, that we need never experience that. However, it is also true that, ultimately, there is no rupture in the Trinity. Christ bears the wrath of God for our sin, while at the same time the Godhead remains One. There is a mystery in the atonement that we cannot plumb the depths of.
    • What Old Testament images/shadows shape our understanding of atonement and what part does separation play in these?
      The Scapegoat ritual of the day of atonement; the sinner being cut off from the people of God. These involve sin bearing, expulsion and separation from God and his covenant people.
  3. Read John 19:30.
    • Why should these words give us great hope and confidence?
      Legal documents and bills were over-written with the word used here – tetelestai – paid in full. Christ has fully paid our debt. We are free of all condemnation because of him.
  4. Read Luke 23:44-46
    • Why do we need Jesus to stay faithful to the end?
      So frequently we do not stay faithful till the end – we give in to temptation, we fail to last the course. Jesus didn’t. He endured where we fail. Our trust is in him not in ourselves – and he endured to the end! He is our perfect substitute.

Download the complete study: The Seven Words of Christ from the Cross (PDF, English and French)

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