In the shadow of a broken world, Yahushua walked a path marked by suffering and rejection. Despised by mankind and familiar with pain, He bore the weight of humanity’s afflictions. People turned away from Him, holding Him in low esteem, yet He took upon Himself our pain and bore our suffering. They regarded Him as punished by God, stricken and afflicted. But the truth lay deeper: He was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities; it was through His wounds that we found healing.

As He hung in agony, Yahushua felt as though He was being poured out like water, His bones out of joint, and His heart melting like wax within Him. His mouth was parched, and His tongue clung to the roof of His mouth, as He lay in the dust of death.

He faced rejection and mocking, scorned by all around Him. A worm, not a man, He was the object of ridicule; those who looked upon Him hurled insults, shaking their heads. They mocked Him, saying, “He trusts in the Lord; let the Lord rescue him. Let Him deliver him since he delights in Him.”

In His darkest hour, Yahushua was surrounded by a pack of villains, dogs encircling Him, and His hands and feet were pierced. In the midst of this torment, He felt a profound sense of abandonment, crying out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

He was the ultimate sacrifice for sin. Like wandering sheep, we had all gone astray, each turning to our own way, yet the Lord laid upon Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, led like a lamb to the slaughter, silent before His shearers.

It was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer. As His life became an offering for sin, He would see His offspring and prolong His days. After His suffering, He would see the light of life and be satisfied. Through His knowledge, the righteous servant would justify many, bearing their iniquities.

Even in His suffering, Yahushua found solace in His trust in God. For the Lord had not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; He listened to His cries for help. Amidst the division of His garments, cast lots for by the onlookers, Yahushua’s legacy would endure, echoing through time, a testament of hope and redemption.

Introduction

The crucifixion of Yahushua, known to many as Jesus, stands as a pivotal moment in human history, rich with profound meaning and significance. This event is not only a key point in the scriptures but also resonates deeply with the millions who follow His teachings. The last moments of His life on the cross encapsulate the depth of His mission, revealing the intersection between His suffering, divine purpose, and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. This chapter delves into His final hours, the utterances that marked this moment, and the prophetic connections that bind these events to the sacred writings of Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, and the Book of Zechariah. Each of Yahushua’s final words carries a deep significance, revealing His humanity, divine purpose, and the fulfillment of prophecies that depict the suffering servant and the ultimate act of redemption. These utterances offer a window into the divine plan unfolding in those final moments, where suffering gave way to salvation and sacrifice became the path to redemption.

The Seven Last Words of Yahushua

1. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) As Yahushua hung on the cross, surrounded by mocking crowds, Roman soldiers, and religious leaders who had condemned Him, His first words were a plea for forgiveness. Despite the physical agony and emotional torment, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This prayer is a profound reflection of His mercy and grace, extending even to those who inflicted suffering upon Him. It captures the essence of His mission—to bring reconciliation and forgiveness to a fallen humanity.

This prayer aligns with the role of the suffering servant as depicted in Isaiah 53:12, where it is said, “He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Yahushua’s prayer mirrors this role, serving as an intercessor even in the face of death. It reveals His unwavering commitment to the path of love and forgiveness, setting an example of divine mercy that transcends human understanding. Furthermore, Zechariah 12:10 prophesies that God would pour out a spirit of grace and supplication upon the house of David, enabling them to mourn for the one they have pierced. In these words, Yahushua demonstrates that His mission was not just to bear suffering but to offer a path to redemption through forgiveness, embodying the heart of the message He preached throughout His ministry.

2. “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) Yahushua was crucified between two criminals, and while one mocked Him, the other, recognizing His innocence and divinity, sought mercy. This repentant criminal said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Yahushua responded with a promise that transcended the immediate suffering: “Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

This statement holds deep theological implications, offering a glimpse into the grace that defines Yahushua’s mission. It signifies that redemption and hope are available even in the final moments of life, showing that faith in Yahushua opens the door to eternal life. This promise of paradise assures believers that the kingdom of God is accessible through repentance and faith, a message that resonates with the core of Christian belief. Moreover, this is reflected in Zechariah 9:12, where the promise of restoration and hope is given to the captives, suggesting that even in dire circumstances, hope remains. It emphasizes that salvation is not based on works or merit but on a simple yet profound faith in Yahushua’s role as the Savior.

3. “Woman, here is your son… Here is your mother.” (John 19:26-27) Amidst the agony of crucifixion, Yahushua’s thoughts turned to His mother, Mary, who stood in sorrow near the disciple John. Addressing her, He said, “Woman, here is your son,” and to John, “Here is your mother.” In doing so, He entrusted Mary’s care to His beloved disciple, ensuring that she would not be left alone in her grief.

This act of care highlights Yahushua’s deep concern for others, even in the midst of His own suffering. It reflects the responsibilities of a firstborn son in the Jewish tradition, underscoring His humanity and the love He bore for His family. This moment also symbolizes the broader spiritual family that Yahushua sought to create, where believers care for one another as brothers and sisters in faith. By establishing this new bond between Mary and John, He demonstrated the value of community and mutual care, which would become a foundational aspect of the early Christian church. This caring gesture also resonates with the prophetic words in Zechariah 8:12, which promises a time of peace and nurturing, indicating that through Yahushua’s sacrifice, a new family of faith was being established.

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34) As darkness covered the land, Yahushua cried out with a voice filled with anguish, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”—”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These words, drawn directly from Psalm 22:1, reveal a profound sense of abandonment and suffering. In quoting this psalm, Yahushua not only expresses His deep emotional and spiritual pain but also points those witnessing His suffering back to the scriptures, inviting them to see the connection between His experiences and the prophetic words of the Psalmist.

Psalm 22 vividly describes the suffering of a righteous individual surrounded by mockers and enemies, which closely mirrors Yahushua’s situation on the cross. Yet, it also carries a message of ultimate deliverance and hope. Yahushua’s cry of forsakenness, while deeply human in its expression of isolation, is also an acknowledgment of a divine plan that surpasses the immediate suffering. This moment embodies the paradox of the cross: that in His deepest suffering, Yahushua was fulfilling the plan of salvation. Zechariah 13:7 also foreshadows this moment, speaking of the Shepherd being struck and the sheep being scattered. It invites reflection on the mystery of divine presence in human suffering and the redemptive power that emerges through it.

5. “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28) In a moment that underscored His physical suffering, Yahushua cried out, “I am thirsty.” This statement is a stark reminder of His humanity, highlighting that He endured the full scope of human pain and need. It also serves as a direct fulfillment of the prophecy found in Psalm 69:21: “They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”

Beyond its literal meaning, this expression of thirst symbolizes the draining of life from Yahushua’s body as He endured the suffering meant to atone for the sins of humanity. It also echoes the deeper spiritual thirst for communion with God, which had been momentarily obscured in the darkness of the cross. By expressing His thirst, Yahushua connects His physical experience to the broader spiritual longing of humanity for reconciliation with God, reminding believers that He shared in the full depth of human struggle and need. This thirst resonates with Zechariah 14:8, where living waters flow from Jerusalem, symbolizing the ultimate satisfaction and fulfillment found in Yahushua. His thirst, therefore, not only emphasizes His suffering but also hints at the living water He offers to all who believe in Him.

6. “It is finished.” (John 19:30) With His mission nearing completion, Yahushua declared, “It is finished” (Greek: tetelestai), a term rich with meaning. In the ancient world, this word was used in various contexts, such as the fulfillment of a debt, the completion of a task, or the achievement of a legal obligation. Yahushua’s use of this term on the cross signifies the completion of the work He came to do.

The phrase tetelestai communicates that the debt of sin owed by humanity had been fully paid through His sacrificial death. It is a declaration that the reconciliation between God and humanity had been achieved, fulfilling the prophecies that spoke of a Messiah who would suffer for the transgressions of others (Isaiah 53:5). Unlike a cry of defeat, this statement is one of triumph, announcing the victory over sin and death. It signals that the old sacrificial system had been rendered complete, making way for a new covenant between God and humanity—a covenant founded on grace and redemption through Yahushua’s sacrifice. Zechariah 9:9 also heralds the coming King who will bring salvation, reminding us that through Yahushua’s death, the fulfillment of these prophecies has taken place, culminating in the establishment of a new kingdom.

7. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46) In His final moments, Yahushua expressed a profound trust in God’s sovereignty by saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” These words, drawn from Psalm 31:5, reflect a deep surrender and trust in God’s care, even in the face of death. Unlike His earlier cry of abandonment, this declaration shows Yahushua’s confidence in the Father’s plan and His readiness to surrender His life.

This moment marks the culmination of the suffering servant’s journey, fulfilling the vision of Isaiah 53, where the servant suffers yet sees the light of life. In committing His spirit to the Father, Yahushua models an unwavering faith in the face of trials and the ultimate act of surrender to God’s will. This act of entrusting His spirit also emphasizes the intimate relationship between Yahushua and the Father, showcasing the unity in purpose that defined His mission. Zechariah 14:9 proclaims that the Lord will be king over all the earth, affirming that Yahushua’s death does not signify defeat but a triumphant entry into the eternal kingdom, solidifying the hope of resurrection and eternal life for all believers.

The last words of Yahushua on the cross resonate deeply through the ages, embodying profound truths that continue to impact countless lives. Each utterance, steeped in prophetic significance, invites believers to explore the depths of divine love, mercy, and redemption. As we reflect on these final hours, we are reminded of the magnitude of His sacrifice and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies, culminating in the promise of eternal life. The cross, once a symbol of death, becomes the ultimate symbol of hope and victory, inviting all to embrace the message of grace that transcends time and circumstance.

The crucifixion is not merely an event of historical significance; it is a testament to the unwavering love of Yahushua, the suffering servant, who bore the weight of humanity’s sins. The connections drawn from the Book of Zechariah further enrich our understanding, emphasizing the divine plan that encompasses all creation. In this profound narrative, we discover a call to embrace the transformative power of His sacrifice and extend that same grace and love to others, fulfilling the call to be ambassadors of hope and reconciliation in a world that desperately needs it.

The Mystery of the “Worm” Reference (Psalm 22:6)

The Psalmist’s declaration, “But I am a worm, and not a man” (Psalm 22:6), bears a deep significance. The Hebrew word for worm here is tola’at, referring to a scarlet worm used to produce red dye. This worm, when ready to reproduce, attaches itself to a tree, lays its eggs, and in dying, releases a crimson dye that stains the tree—a striking parallel to Yahushua’s blood shed on the cross. After three days, the worm turns white and flakes away, symbolizing new life. This imagery reflects the sacrificial nature of Yahushua’s death, His blood staining the wood of the cross, and the hope of resurrection that followed.

Zechariah’s prophecies set the stage for understanding Jesus’ declaration of tetelestai in multiple ways:

• Debt Paid: Zechariah’s vision of the coming Messiah who brings peace and salvation connects to the idea that Jesus’ death pays the spiritual debt of sin.
• Victory in War: The themes of divine triumph over adversaries in Zechariah are realized in Jesus’ victorious completion of His mission on the cross, marking His conquest over sin and spiritual opposition.
• Completion of a Covenant: Zechariah’s imagery of restoration, the role of the shepherd, and the building of a new relationship between God and His people point to the fulfillment of a divine plan, which Jesus announces as complete with His final words.