Mark 15:33 – 35

33 At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

“Monks, monks, monks!”

Henry VIII, King of England

“The drama’s over. Applaud.”

Augustus Caesar

“I hope I haven’t bored you”.

Elvis Presley

These are just an example of some famous last words said throughout history. These words, although they are influential to the lives of the people who knew them and history books, they are not quite as great as Jesus’ last words.

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) were the Last words Jesus said as he cried out and died. At first, I was puzzled reading these words; “forsaken”? why would he say such a thing? However, after reading a commentary I was able to grasp the meaning of these words.

Jesus was dying one of the most horrible deaths so that we could be saved. A pain so unbearable human empathy will not ever grasp it. Jesus’ dying was God’s will for Him and for all mankind, but it does not mean Jesus did not feel hurt by his Father.

This was the first time in Jesus’ time on earth where he was removed from His Father. He was removed from the Lord’s warm love with that being replaced with the burdens of all sin. Jesus’ last words were a new beginning for all mankind.

I reflect on this moment with a heavy heart hurting for Jesus. This sadness forms my grateful heart, because if we know this incredible pain that Jesus went through was for us, how can we not live serving him?

Maria-Grace Iles – Creek Road