About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” — Jesus (Matthew 27:46)

It was on Friday of Redemption Weekend nearly 2000 years ago that Jesus Christ offered His life on a cross to pay God’s just death penalty for sin that each of deserves to pay.  God’s Word says that forgiveness of sin and eternal life in heaven is available to all who would repent and believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ (John 3:36).

During the excruciating six hours of hanging on the cross as He died, Jesus made seven statements briefly summarized from the gospel accounts as follows:

  • “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
  • “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
  • “Woman, behold, your son!” “Behold, your mother!”
  • “I am thirsty.”
  • “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
  • “It is finished!”
  • “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”

What is the significance of these last words of Christ?  What do they mean for us today?

Stu Epperson Jr., the author of Last Words of Jesus and the president of The Truth Network, joins us this weekend on The Christian Worldview to explain why Jesus made these statements and how we are called to respond.