It was extremely difficult for Jesus to speak while suffering the excruciating pain of crucifixion. Yet He spoke these incredible last words.

 

Jesus cried with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  Here, Jesus was expressing His feelings of abandonment as God placed all the sins of the world on Him — and because of that, God had to “turn away” from Jesus. As Jesus was feeling that weight of sin, He was experiencing a separation from God for the only time in all of eternity.

 

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Christ’s prayer in the midst of their mocking Him shows God’s never-ending grace. 

 

“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Jesus is assuring one of the criminals on the cross that when he died, he would be with Him in heaven. Jesus gave him this promise because the criminal was remorseful for his sins and believed in Jesus.

 

“Dear Woman, here is your son!” and “Here is your mother!” Jesus, ever the compassionate Son, is making sure His earthly mother is cared for after His death. He placed His disciple John to care for His mother. And from that moment on, John took her into his own home.

 

“I am thirsty.” “By saying He was thirsty, He prompted the Roman guards to give Him vinegar, which was customary at a crucifixion, thereby fulfilling the prophecy from Psalm 69:21 that states:  “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”

 

“Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.” Jesus is willingly giving up His spirit into the Father’s care, completely trusting His Father’s plan for mankind’s salvation through His sacrifice.