The final statements uttered by a person often carry profound weight, revealing their deepest values and final reflections. We consider the last words of loved ones with a special poignancy. My own parents’ last words, “No” and “I love you,” were simple yet deeply human reactions to death’s approach. But Jesus’ last words on the cross were different. They weren’t mere reflexes; they were deliberate, prophetic, and full of purpose. This study guide explores these powerful last words, offering insights for small group discussions in settings ranging from coffeehouses to church gatherings, drawing connections to themes found in 1 John 2 and highlighting five key takeaways for reflection and application.
Jesus, facing imminent death, spoke not only to God but also to those around him. Among those present were two criminals crucified alongside him. Mark’s Gospel calls them “robbers” or “rebels,” the same term used for Barabbas. Initially, both men mocked Jesus, as Matthew’s Gospel records.
A Rebel’s Redemption: “Remember Me”
Luke’s Gospel unveils a dramatic transformation. While one criminal continued to taunt Jesus, the other experienced a profound change of heart. He rebuked his fellow criminal, acknowledging their just punishment and affirming Jesus’ innocence: “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Turning to Jesus, he made a simple, yet powerful request: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:40-42).
This plea, “remember me,” resonates with a deep human fear – the fear of being forgotten. It echoes prayers throughout the Old Testament, from Joseph in prison to Samson in his despair, Hannah’s plea for a child, and the cries of Nehemiah, Job, and the Psalmist. It’s a universal yearning for recognition and enduring significance.
But this thief’s request is particularly striking. He, with seemingly little merit, asks for remembrance. His story is the epitome of a last-minute conversion. Luke doesn’t detail the catalyst for this change, but we can imagine it was influenced by Jesus’ earlier prayer of forgiveness from the cross. Jesus doesn’t demand explanations or qualifications. Instead, he offers immediate and unconditional assurance: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
Key Insight 1 for Small Group Discussion: Never Too Late for Grace. The repentant thief’s story provides immense hope. It underscores that God’s grace is available even at the eleventh hour. In a coffeehouse setting, this story can spark conversations about second chances, redemption, and the boundless nature of God’s love, themes that resonate with the message of love and forgiveness found in 1 John 2. Consider discussing: Have you or someone you know experienced a “last-minute” turning point in faith? How does this story challenge our assumptions about who is “worthy” of God’s grace?
A Son’s Love, A Mother’s Care: “Woman, behold your son!” “Behold your mother!”
Jesus also spoke to his mother, Mary, and the Apostle John, who stood near the cross. John’s account suggests Jesus sought them out amidst the crowd. Witnessing her son’s suffering must have been agonizing for Mary, fulfilling Simeon’s prophecy that a sword would pierce her heart. To Mary, Jesus said, “Woman, here is your son,” and to John, “Here is your mother.” John then took Mary into his home (John 19:26-27).
These words, in such dire circumstances, seem almost ordinary, yet they are profoundly human. They are the practical words of a dying son ensuring his mother’s care. Why John, and not Jesus’ brothers and sisters? The Gospels don’t explicitly say. Perhaps it highlights John’s unique relationship with Jesus, “the disciple whom he loved,” or perhaps it was due to social or familial circumstances not detailed in scripture.
However, Jesus’ words also signal a shift in his relationship with Mary. After the resurrection, their relationship would transcend the earthly mother-son bond. Jesus had hinted at this earlier, stating, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:34-35). Mary’s own Magnificat acknowledged her humble role as a servant, recognizing the transformative work God was doing through her son.
Key Insight 2 for Small Group Discussion: Love and Responsibility in Community. Jesus’ concern for his mother at his most vulnerable moment reveals his deep love and sense of responsibility. This resonates with the emphasis on love and community within the church, as highlighted in 1 John 2. In a church small group, discuss: How does Jesus’ example challenge us to care for our families and fellow believers? What practical ways can our small group support those in need, mirroring John’s care for Mary?
The Cry of Humanity: “I thirst.”
Between his cry of abandonment and his final surrender, Jesus made two starkly human observations. The first, recorded in John 19:28, is simply, “I thirst.” In the face of immense suffering, this expression of thirst might seem minor. Yet, it powerfully underscores Jesus’ physical reality, his complete humanity. Water is fundamental to life; this cry reminds us that it is the human Jesus hanging on the cross, the God who became flesh (John 1:14).
This statement is particularly poignant in John’s Gospel. John highlights Jesus as the source of “living water,” offering eternal life to the Samaritan woman and proclaiming, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” (John 4:14, 7:37). Yet, on the cross, the very source of this life-giving water cries out in thirst.
John notes that Jesus said this “knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” This thirst fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 69:21: “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”
Key Insight 3 for Small Group Discussion: Jesus’ Full Humanity and Identification with Suffering. “I thirst” is a powerful reminder of Jesus’ physical suffering and complete identification with humanity. In a coffeehouse setting, where discussions might be more informal and relatable, this cry can humanize Jesus and make his sacrifice more tangible. Discuss: How does recognizing Jesus’ physical suffering deepen your understanding of his sacrifice? How can we relate to and empathize with those who are suffering in our own communities, mirroring Christ’s compassion?
The Shout of Triumph: “It is finished!”
Jesus’ final statement before his last prayer is equally brief: “It is finished!” (John 19:30). Mark mentions a “loud cry” at this point, which may encompass this declaration. This isn’t a sigh of defeat or despair. As theologian Stanley Hauerwas notes, “‘It is finished’ is not a death gurgle. ‘It is finished’ is not ‘I am done for.'” It is a “shout of victory.” Immediately following this, Jesus committed his spirit to the Father, indicating a triumphant completion, not a surrender to oblivion.
This cry signifies the culmination of Jesus’ earthly mission, his obedience to the Father, and his victory over sin and death. The hardest work, the atoning sacrifice, was complete. Resurrection and restoration were now assured.
Key Insight 4 for Small Group Discussion: Victory in Completion and Obedience. “It is finished” is not a statement of defeat, but of triumph. It highlights Jesus’ perfect obedience and the completion of his redemptive work. In a church small group, this can lead to deeper theological reflection. Discuss: What does “It is finished” mean in the context of salvation and our relationship with God? How can we apply this concept of completion and obedience to our own lives and faith journeys, striving for faithfulness as described in 1 John 2?
Death’s Defeat, Life’s Promise: Looking Beyond the Cross
Jesus’ last words, while spoken in the shadow of death, are not words of finality in the sense of ultimate ending. They signify the completion of his earthly suffering, but also the beginning of resurrection and new life. Like us, Jesus walked through the valley of the shadow of death. But unlike us, he did so willingly, with authority over death itself. “I lay down my life—only to take it up again,” Jesus declared. “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (John 10:17-18).
When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” he announced victory, sounding the death knell for death itself. Death, the “last enemy,” is ultimately defeated (1 Corinthians 15:26).
Key Insight 5 for Small Group Discussion: Hope Beyond Death and the Promise of Resurrection. Jesus’ last words, culminating in “It is finished,” point beyond the cross to the resurrection and the ultimate defeat of death. This is the core of Christian hope. In any small group setting, this can bring comfort and encouragement. Discuss: How does the victory declared in “It is finished” impact your understanding of death and eternal life? How does this hope shape your daily living and your witness to the world, reflecting the light and truth emphasized in 1 John 2?
Conclusion: Five Words for Life and Study
Jesus’ last words are not just historical pronouncements; they are living words that continue to speak to us today. They reveal his love, humanity, obedience, and ultimate triumph. As you engage with these words in your small group, whether in a coffeehouse or church setting, consider these five key insights:
- Never Too Late for Grace: Embrace the hope of redemption.
- Love and Responsibility in Community: Care for one another as Christ cared for his mother.
- Jesus’ Full Humanity and Identification with Suffering: Empathize with those who suffer.
- Victory in Completion and Obedience: Strive for faithfulness in your own calling.
- Hope Beyond Death and the Promise of Resurrection: Live in the light of eternal life.
By studying these last words, we gain a deeper appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice and a renewed commitment to follow him, living out the love and truth he exemplified, principles central to the teachings of 1 John 2.
Alt text: Jesus on the cross speaking to his mother Mary and the disciple John, illustrating the tender care amidst suffering discussed in a small group study guide.
Alt text: Book cover featuring “Not the Only One” by John Koessler, suggesting further reading for a church coffeehouse small group study on Jesus’ words.
