Thought for the Month - May 2006

Last Words - listen up! - By Pastor Ian Wilson

The last words uttered by people are very often looked upon by family and friends as being very precious. The last words of some famous people are available on the internet for all to see.

Elizabeth the first is credited with saying on her death bed, “All my possessions for a moment of time”.

Winston Churchill apparently said, "I'm so bored with it all".

John F Kennedy said after being told, “Mr. President, you can't say Dallas doesn't love you today". To which he replied, “That’s obvious".

Spike Milligan’s headstone has the words in Irish, “I told you I was ill".

The last words of Christ on the cross are most revealing he uttered seven cries from the cross. The first one reminds us of our need for forgiveness of sin.

Luke 23:34 "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do"

The second cry shows us Christ’s willingness to forgive as he speaks to a dying thief.

Luke 23:43 "And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise"

The third cry reveals his care for his own as he ensures his earthy mother would be cared for.

John 19:26 "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!"

The forth cry exhibits the great depths Christ sank to that we might be saved.

Matthew 27:46 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

The fifth cry reveals the humanity of Christ he was wholly God and yet wholly man. As a man he can appreciate our concerns and problems.

John 19:28 "After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst"

The sixth cry proclaims that Christ has fully paid the price of redemption.

John 19:30 "It is finished"

The Seventh and final cry reveals how Christ willingly stepped into and defeated death for all who will believe on him.

Luke 23:46 "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost"

Ask yourself this question, what impact has the cross had on my life?

Lament. 1:12 "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger"

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!