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E-pistle

FreeWay Foundation            March 29, 2013

 

 

Famous Last Words

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

Nathan Hale was an American Patriot of the Revolutionary War who was hanged by the British when he was only 21 years old.  With

remarkable calmness of mind and spirit, he prepared for his execution.  Before he died, he make a speech concluding with these "famous

last words" which have since inspired Americans,  I ONLY REGRET THAT I HAVE BUT ONE LIFE TO LOSE FOR MY COUNTRY."

The last words spoken by a person take on added weight and importance.  Often we hear these words at a wake or funeral.  "Did

he say anything before he passes away?"  Even in a court of law, a man's dying declaration is accepted as absolute truth on the theory

that a person would not tell a lie with his last breath. 

            It is at this season of the year, often on Good Friday, that we pause to reflect on the last words of Jesus from the cross.  During the

40 days after His resurrection, the Lord spoke many words, of course,  But the "SEVEN LAST SAYINGS" are particularly poignant even

though we know the rest of the story . . . Easter is coming!  Jesus is our supreme example for living . . . and for dying.  Note his last words.

I.  A WORD OF FORGIVENESS FOR ENEMIES

            "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  Luke 23:34.  His example was followed almost exactly by Stephen in

Acts 7:60.  In contrast, King David's dying words as recorded in I Kings 2:9 were instructions to Solomon to take revenge on his enemy,

Shimei.

II.  A WORD OF PROMISE OF REUNION

            "Today you will be with Me in Paradise," Luke 23:43.  We've often been encouraged by the Lord's promise to the thief on the cross

who has a "death-bed" conversion.  These words must have been a great comfort to that criminal between the time of Jesus' death and

the moment when his legs were broken by Roman soldiers and he breathed his last.

III.  A WORD OF CONCERN FOR FAMILY

            "Woman, behold your son . . . Behold your mother," Matthew 27:46.  Jesus knew, of course, why He had been sent to the earth

from heaven's glory . . . for this very purpose:  to die!  But, momentarily in His human despair and loneliness for the Father's presence,

He asked the question which so often goes unanswered when we ask it:  "WHY?"  Notice that He did ask the one and only Person who

could answer that questions.

IV.  A WORK OF QUESTIONING OF PURPOSE

            "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"  Matthew 27:46.  Jesus knew, of course, why He had been sent to earth from

heaven's glory . . . for this very purpose:  TO DIE!  But, momentarily in His human despair and loneliness for the Father's presence,

He asked the question which so often goes unanswered when we ask it:  WHY?  Notice that He did ask the one and only Person who

could answer that question.

V.  A WORD OF RQUEST FOR RELIEF

            "I thirst!"  John 19:28.  Jesus was fully human as well as fully divine.  This request for some temporary relief from His suffering

was not inappropriate.  Matthew records two different occasions when Jesus was offered sour wine mingled with gall (Matthew 27;34

and 48).  It is clear that the Lord refused the pain-killer the first time it was offered.  After virtually all His suffering had been endured,

it is not clear whether or not he actually drank that liquid on the second occasion.

VI.  A WORD OF FULFILLMENT OF DESTINY

            "It is finished!"  John 19:30.  With the identical words used by the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, Jesus proclaimed that

He also had finished His assigned task.  This was not a gasping moan of defeat . . . "It's finally over . . . and I'm finished."  IT WAS A

CRY OF VICTORY!

VII.  A WORD OF SURRENDER TO ETERNITY

            "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit," Luke 23:46.  This final utterance of our Lord was one of supreme faith.  He knew

who He was (the Son) and He knew to whom He was going (to the Father).  As through the entire crucifixion event, Jesus was in

complete control . . . even to the point of willing the departure of His spirit into the Father's hands.

            When the hour comes for us to leave this world for the next, if circumstances allow, it is totally appropriate for us to speak

these words which came from the lips of Jesus.  With family and friends gathered around, could we say:

                        1.  "I bear no grudge, no ill-will, no enmity toward anyone."

                        2.  "I'll meet you in heaven."

                        3.  "I want you to take care of each other."

                        4.  "I don't know the 'why's' . . . but God does."

                        5.  "I am suffering physically."  (no false or pious denial of reality!)

                        6.  "I'm glad my life has accomplished some good."

                        7.  "I'm trusting You to receive me, Lord."

            An automobile accident . . . a heart attack . . . what if our departure is a sudden, unexpected event?  What if we have no time

To gather loved ones around us for a dying declaration?  The answer is simple.  We need to live out these 7 truths every day so that

Whether we have the chance to speak them with our lips or not, those whom we leave behind will know in their hearts that these are

Our "FAMOUS LAST WORDS."

 

Have a Blessed Easter!

           

           

                       

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