Final Words

WARNING: Religious topic. If you’re not into this, just skip and we’ll see you next week.

My apologies if you expected some humor today. It’s Good Friday in the Christian world and, as is our tradition, no jokes today as we bow our heads in humble recognition that today our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross. We will be back with our regular program next week.

The prophet Isaiah saw the Messiah being interrogated by King Herod who couldn’t get a word out of him. Isaiah described the scene in this way:

“He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth. — Isaiah 53:7

Jesus didn’t waste his time on useless banter with silly King Herod. Perhaps, Jesus had a checklist of prophecies he was expected to fulfill all throughout his life and this was his last day on earth … and he had not slept a wink. I’m guessing he needed to conserve his strength to go through the trial, the scourging … the crucifixion.

But Jesus didn’t remain silent all throughout. Did you ever wonder if he had a low voice? Was it loud? It’s pretty wild when you realize that Jesus (the god-made-man, one of three … creator of the universe) actually spoke a human language. Let that sink in. No he didn’t speak English … didn’t have a British accent like they portray him in some movies. He spoke Aramaic and most probably with a Galilean accent which I’m guessing had a northern drawl. Compared to the accent of the elite citizens of Rome, Jesus might have sounded like a Hillbilly because he grew up in a fishing village. He was low class.

I extracted (and slightly edited for clarity) all his words from the four Gospels. If we placed a microphone in front of Jesus, these would be the sound bytes we would have picked up. I did not include the comments of the other characters — these are exclusively Jesus’ words. What I found interesting is Jesus’ thoughts (just as in his normal earthly encounters) were always for others except when he was already delusional and nearing death when he thought of his own needs.

The hot mic starts in the quiet setting of the Mount of Olives, in the garden of Gethsemane, in the chilly early morning. If you are familiar with the story, you’ll be able to follow where and when the words were spoken. If you aren’t familiar with the story, let this be the trailer of a movie. Later, I suggest you pick up a Bible and start reading chapter 18 of the book of John

JESUS’ FINAL WORDS

“Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

“Who is it you want?”

“I am he,”

“Who is it you want?” (For the second time)

“I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.”

“Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you … teaching in the temple courts … you did not arrest me … but [I know it’s because] the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

“Put your sword away Peter!!! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?!”

“I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues or at the temple where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

“I am [the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One] and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

“If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”

“Is that your own idea, or did others talk to you about me?”

“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

“You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

“Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

“Woman, here is your son. Son, here is your mother.”

“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

“I am thirsty.”

“It is finished.”

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Friday, about 9:00 am, Jesus was nailed to the cross. By 3:00 pm, that same day, Jesus’ earthly body stopped functioning. Saturday, his followers scattered in fear. But Sunday … (oh wonderful Sunday just before sunrise) Jesus resurrected from the dead. Hallelujah!

Of course this is just me.

TGIF people!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3: 16-17