Jesus’ Last Words on the Cross

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“It is Finished.”

An eerie gloom fell over the area and the bystanders. As the hours went by, Jesus’ breath became more and more labored. Beyond his severe physical pain, Jesus began to feel the indescribably intense pain of all of humankind’s sins being borne by him. Sins of a mundane nature and sins of great depravity became Jesus’ to absorb. Jesus was now the sacrificial lamb, absorbing all of humankind’s sin.

Finally, in his full humanity, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk. [15:34]).

Those who were standing near heard this and said, “Listen, he is calling Elijah” (Mk. [15:35]). Those standing by missed that Jesus wasn’t crying out to the prophet Elijah, but Eloi. Eloi is another expression of God and literally means, in Hebrew, “God of me.” An awful darkness fell over the area as Jesus hung, suffering.

Jesus’ human body was shutting down. He was suffocating and quickly losing body fluids. Each of his major organs was failing. His heart and lungs were stiffening from the loss of blood. His human end was near.

It was now mid-afternoon; knowing this, the soldiers did not want to leave Jesus on the cross with the approaching Sabbath. They discussed breaking his legs to hasten his death. As they were discussing this, Jesus said, “It is finished” (Jn. [19:30]). Then, he released one last groan and his human form died.

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” he was declaring he had completed God’s will. His physical pain and the absorption of all human sin was over. He had finished the brutal part of redemption. Now only his wonderous divinity was left. He had come to serve humanity as human and had finished his difficult task.

At the same time, the curtain in the temple was torn in two. A Roman soldier who stood nearby and watched the whole crucifixion said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mk. [15:39]).

The tearing of the curtain, which separated the sacred temple room of the Holy of Holies, was symbolic of the new life Jesus had just created for the world. No longer was the temple in Jerusalem the way to God. But through faith in the blood Jesus had shed for humankind, all people could find God. Essentially, God had moved from the temple.

 

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Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane

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Yet Not my Will, But What You Will

Jesus, with Peter, James, and John, went into the labyrinth of the olive trees. As they walked, Jesus’ anxiety grew further, and he became more troubled. He was breathing heavily, at times gasping and shuddering when he was confronted with the reality of his immediate future. Finally, he stopped, bent over, and took a deep breath. Jesus then told Peter, James, and John, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death … Stay here and keep watch” (Mk. [14:34]).

Jesus walked further into the grove of trees by himself. Overwhelmed by his human fear, he went to his knees, and each time he thought about his future, he trembled. He was consumed with anxiety.

Finally, he began to pray. In his prayer, he sought another way. His mind was filled with many competing thoughts, but mostly, he just wanted to find a different way because he knew the pain that was coming. His eyes were clenched, and his face was contorted; he desperately sought clarity and an end to his confusion.

Then, lifting his head heavenward, he said, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mk. [14:35]). This prayer revealed his inner struggle. In his humanity, he wanted a safer way to complete his task, to avoid the painful drama that was coming. Yet in his divine state, he knew God had a plan and trusted God.

He rose from the ground, feeling somewhat relieved, and walked back to where he had left Peter, James, and John. Stunningly, when he arrived at the spot where he had left them, Jesus found them asleep, oblivious to the cosmic struggle he was undergoing. He needed them, but they had succumbed to their fatigue. Jesus woke Peter and said,

Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Mk. [14:37]–38)

Jesus needed Peter. In his disappointment, he had addressed Peter by his former name, symbolizing how Peter had drifted away while Jesus was grappling with mental anguish. Dismayed, Jesus turned and retreated into the grove.

Once more, his knees grew weak, and his breath became labored. Confronted again with the daunting reality of his imminent fate, he fell to his knees to pray. Sweat, born from his inner turmoil, dripped from Jesus’ face. Torn between God’s design for him and his human longing to find another way, he fervently sought clarity. In his mind, the same plea continually formed: “Not my will but yours.”

This internal battle persisted. While he recognized the necessity of following God’s plan, his human nature gave way to doubt. Each time he felt prepared, dread overwhelmed his humanity. And so, the struggle endured.

After some time, Jesus stood and approached the trio. To his dismay, he found them sleeping once more. Overcome by fatigue, their eyelids were heavy. In this moment, Jesus realized the depth of his solitude in this conflict.

For a third time, he ventured into the grove. With each passing moment, Jesus’ prayers grew more determined. When he finally submitted to God’s plan, a newfound clarity arose, and his determination solidified. During his third and concluding prayer, he declared with unwavering conviction, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. [26:39]). Upon these words, a spirit of resolution enveloped Jesus. He was fortified, and prepared to enact the divine blueprint.

His grueling journey to fully accepting his mission had been completed. As Jesus made his way back to the apostles, his stride was firm and unyielding. Upon reaching them, he pronounced:

Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer! (Mk. [14:41]–42)

Even though Jesus was the Son of God, he consistently identified himself as the Son of Man, highlighting his commitment to serving humanity. With unwavering resolve, he was set to fulfill his terrestrial mission.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash 

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The First Communion Service

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The Blood of the New Covenant

After Jesus had washed their feet, suddenly he again dramatically shifted the mood in the room by saying, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me” (Mk. [14:17]).

Heads turned to Jesus, shocked by his statement. Everyone but Judas searched their minds to consider if it was them. Eleven of the apostles were saddened by Jesus’s comment; then, one by one, they all replied, “Surely you don’t mean me?” (Mk. [14:19]). In turn, Jesus replied,

It is one of the Twelve … one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born. (Mk. [14:20]–21)

After hearing Jesus say this, Judas grew uncomfortable and uneasy on his cushion. He was the one who had shared the bowl with Jesus for dipping the unleavened bread. Frantically, he wondered what Jesus might know.

Judas remained silent, hoping the moment would pass and no further conversation about betrayal would occur. He was embarrassed but did not let it show. Silently, he wanted to leave so he would no longer be twisting inwardly with anxiety.

The room grew uncomfortable—some thought it was Judas Jesus was talking about. Stillness and stiffness filled the air. Not knowing what to do next, the apostles returned to eating their meal, this time in silence.

Then, Jesus stood up and took the bread, which he broke into pieces, and gave it to everyone in the room. When all had received the bread, Jesus said, “Take it; this is my body” (Mk. [14:22]).

This moment harkens back to when John the Baptist first saw Jesus. John had been quizzed by the religious leaders as to whether he was the Messiah or a prophet. John the Baptist replied, “He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie” (Jn. [1:27]).

Later, when John the Baptist saw Jesus walking, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. [1:29]). This statement, made at the beginning of Jesus’s earthly mission, is directly connected to the Passover lamb, but it is also connected to the crucifixion and its purpose. Jesus’ body would be broken during the crucifixion for all believers to share. Symbolically, Jesus was also the Passover lamb, who would save and redeem those who believed in him.

While the Twelve were trying to understand Jesus’ comment about the bread and his body, Jesus picked up a cup of wine and said,

Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. (Matt. [26:28]–29)

Jesus drank from the cup and gave it to John, who also drank from it. John passed it to the right. And on the cup went, passed to the person on the right. Finally, Judas received the cup and drank from it as well.

The statement “this is my blood of the covenant” draws parallels with the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible. The concept of a covenant was introduced by God when he pledged land and a future to Abraham and his lineage.

In biblical terms, a covenant signifies an agreement God forms with his people. Not limited to Abraham, God also made covenants with figures like Moses and Noah. While the Twelve might have grappled with Jesus’ words, they paid close attention. Jesus was ushering in a new covenant, offering forgiveness of sins and a renewed life to believers.

In the present day, the bread and wine are similar to this inaugural communion. It is our affirmation of belief in both the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Though Jesus initiated the first communion, its significance remained elusive to those present. They struggled with concepts like being “poured out for many” and Jesus’ vow of abstaining from drinking until the advent of God’s new kingdom. Their comprehension, however, was on the horizon.

Jesus then led them in a final hymn and ended the meal. They all rose from the table and headed back to Bethany and the Mount of Olives.

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash

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How Jesus Cleansed the Temple

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On Monday of the Holy Week was the day to act and make the temple a holy place again. Jesus was going to defend his father’s house. The Courtyard of the Gentiles in the Temple area had been turned into a money-making scheme, which took advantage of the masses used to buy sacrificial animals and money to make their temple donations.

It wasn’t that Jesus was upset by economic activity. In his youth, Jesus and his earthly dad, Joseph, had made furniture to sell. What Jesus saw in the temple wasn’t hard work but rather scheming in the name of God to gain money without effort. Greed drove the temple leaders who used inappropriate power to earn money.

When Jesus arrived in the Courtyard of the Gentiles, he surveyed the scene to decide what to do next. He then gathered up some of the whips from nearby livestock booths. Next, Jesus called his disciples together, giving each of them a whip and telling them, “Follow my lead.”

Purposefully, Jesus walked to the closest booth, flipped over the table, and used his whip to drive away the livestock. Upon seeing this, the Twelve did the same to the other tables and booths. Then, some in the crowd joined in as well. The scene became quite chaotic as Jesus, the Twelve, and people from the crowd flipped over tables―livestock were driven out of their pens, pigeons were released, and coins spilled out on the floor.

The vendors raised their voices and yelled for Jesus and everyone to stop. Shoppers were left stunned and unsure of what to do.

On it went with tables being quickly turned over. At first, it was just a few, but soon, there was a sea of flipped tables. Looking across the Courtyard of the Gentiles, the scene had the appearance of rippling, as one table after another was tipped over. The mayhem started with Jesus and spread quickly throughout the courtyard.

Everyone else who was present was frozen with disbelief. The priests and merchants had been caught off balance mentally; they stood absorbing the scene and were unprepared to act. When Jesus was done, the Courtyard of the Gentiles, which once had tables and booths lined up in an orderly fashion, was a scene of chaos with loose livestock roaming the courtyard area and the wings of birds flapping. Money collectors fell to their knees frantically scouring the ground to pick up the loose coins. Jesus had put an end to the charade.

Image by Christina Gottardi

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