The Seven Last

Words of Jesus
 “Father, forgive
them, they know
not what they do.”
(Luke 23:34)

FIRST WORD: FORGIVENESS

Even as he is wrongfully accused,
convicted and tortured, Jesus asks
God to grant mercy unto his
persecutors.
Are there people in your life to
whom you need to offer
forgiveness?
Are there people from whom you
need to seek forgiveness?
How can you find it in your heart
to get past injustice and cruelty you
might have suffered?
Think about how forgiveness could
free your heart and help you move
forward.
 “Amen, I say to
you, today you will
be with me in
Paradise.”(Luke 23:43)
SECOND WORD: SALVATION
Even as he is wrongfully accused, convicted and
tortured, Jesus asks God to grant mercy unto his
persecutors. Here, Jesus speaks words of salvation to
one of the thieves also being crucified. That man
believes in Jesus’ innocence and asks Jesus to
remember him when Jesus comes into his kingdom.
Jesus, of course, provides us all with salvation
through his death and resurrection.
How would you describe your
relationship with Jesus?
Do you see him as an unknowable
being or a friend who’s close at
hand?
Recall times in your life when
someone has saved you in some
way.
 “Woman, behold,
your son. …
Behold, your
mother.” (John 19:26–27)
THIRD WORD: RELATIONSHIP
Preparing to leave the earthly realm, Jesus
entrusts his mother, Mary, to “the
disciple whom he loved.” Even as he was
dying, Jesus was thinking of his mother
and how she would go on after her son’s
death.
What role does Mary play in your
life?
How is your relationship with your
parents and other family members?
What could you do to grow closer
to them?
Think about friends who feel like
family, like the beloved disciple.
Write about their importance to you
and how you can show them how
you feel
 “My God, my God,
why have you
forsaken me?”
(Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34)

FOURTH WORD:
ABANDONMENT
Jesus, at his most human, calls out in
anguish from the cross. He is in
profound pain, abandoned by most of
his friends and suffering physically
and emotionally.
How do you perceive Jesus’ cry of
abandonment?
Do you believe God had
abandoned his son? Why or why
not?
When have you felt abandoned by
family, friends or even God?
In what ways can you relate to
Jesus as a flesh-and-blood person?
 “I thirst.”
(John 19:28)

FIFTH WORD: DISTRESS

In what is known as “The Word of
Distress,” Jesus once again
expresses a human need. To quench
his thirst, Jesus is offered a sponge
soaked in sour wine.
For what are you thirsting?
How can you strengthen your faith
life to quench that thirst?
When have you felt distressed and
cried out for what you needed?
Who came to your aid?
Where was God during your
suffering?
 “It is finished.”
(John 19:30)

SIXTH WORD: TRIUMPH

With three simple words, Jesus
changes the course of human history,
declaring victory over sin and death—
the fulfillment of God’s promises to his
people. On earth, Jesus has finished his
work.
When have you felt triumphant?
How did God play a role in that
experience?
As Christians, we know Jesus’ life
and death had special purpose.
How would you describe your
life’s purpose?
If you’re still searching, how might
you discover who God is calling
you to be?
 “Father, into your
hands I commend
my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

SEVENTH WORD: REUNION

Called “The Word of Reunion,” Jesus
proclaims that he will join God in
heaven. His journey is at once complete
and only just beginning.
What do you think heaven will be
like?
What does it mean to you to be
united with God?
Do you see death as an ending, a
beginning or both?
GOD
BLESS
YOU ALL!