Last Words are Important Words

What we say reveals what is in our hearts.

You’ve heard that, right?

That whatever words we say reveals what our hearts are made of?

It’s a scary concept sometimes, but it also is true.

None of us are perfect, and I for one know that sometimes what comes out of my mouth does not reveal my inner heart. We all say things out of anger, sadness, fear, pain . . . and none of us are going to “nail it” every single time with our words.

But our words are important . . . we change others’ lives with our words. We have the opportunities to make others feel accepted, at peace, and loved.

And frankly, if and when we have opportunities to offer final words – they are impactful in more ways than we can ever know.

There is no better example of this than in the final words Jesus offered from the cross.

As he hung there, with his haters continually mocking him, he must have chosen his words carefully. For one thing, it would have taken an inordinate amount of energy to say them. Secondly, he died in the way that he lived. Teaching, using all moments and opportunities to show all what Love really looked like.

This week in our meditations we will explore the seven last phrases that Jesus used as he was dying. I encourage us to see how we apply those phrases to our own journeys.

In his dying, we find life. And part of finding life is in his words.

Below are the seven phrases . . . beginning tomorrow we will cover two per day. But for now, I encourage us to ponder what these phrases really mean to us and where can we apply these phrases to our own journeys.

• Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

• Today you will be with me in paradise.

• Woman, behold, thy son! Behold, thy mother!

• My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

• I thirst.

• It is finished.

• Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

If you missed the Sunday message, here is a link.

What Do We Do With Our Pain?