For every person, there will, one day when they eat their last meal, breathe their last breath, and speak their last words. In many ways, what we say at the end can reveal what we were in life, what we stood for, lived for.
Sometimes people don’t know that they are uttering their last words. Michael Jackson, leaving practice for his “This Is It” concert, said, “This is it. . . . This really is it!” He died shortly after saying this. The last words of P. T. Barnum were “What were today’s receipts?”
Other times, people’s last words are flippant. The day Karl Marx died, his housekeeper came to him and said, “Tell me your last words, and I will write them down!” Marx replied, “Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough!” Comedian Groucho Marx’s last words were “Die, my dear? Why, that’s the last thing I’ll do!” Nostradamus predicted the future correctly with his departing words: “Tomorrow, I shall no longer be here!” Pablo Picasso said, “Drink to me, drink to my health; you know I can’t drink anymore!”
Some last words are tragic. Actress Joan Crawford, when her housekeeper was praying for her, gave these final words: “Don’t you dare pray for me!” Brad Delp, the lead singer of the band Boston committed suicide. On a note clipped to his shirt were his final words: “I am a lonely soul.”
Some last words are filled with courage. Nathan Hale, American patriot, was to be hanged for spying on the British. His last words were, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Todd Beamer, at the end of a cell phone call before he and others stormed the cockpit on UA Flight 93 to stop the Islamic hijackers, gave his last words: “Are you guys ready? Let’s roll!”
Other last words are filled with faith. John Wesley said, “The best of all is: God is with us!” D. L. Moody declared, “I see earth receding, and heaven is opening. God is calling me.” When Stephen was being stoned to death, his last words were, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” (Acts 7:55 NLT).
In this sermon series entitled, This is Love, we will be looking into some of the last words of Jesus as he hung on the cross. The gravity of his dying words and the reality of his love will fill our hearts and minds in the season leading up to Resurrection Sunday. Please plan to be a part of our 2019 Easter experience so you, your family and friends might know and feel This is Love.
- March 17 – “Father forgive them” (Luke 23:34)
- March 24 – “Today you’ll be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)
- April 7 – “Why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
- April 14 – “It is finished.” (John 19:30)
- April 21, Easter – “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
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