Famous Last Words

By Andy Callow

When Groucho Marx was dying, he let out one last quip: “This is no way to live!”  Spike Milligan, another comedian to the end, gasped out “I told you I was ill”.

Ned Kelly, as he was about to be hung in Melbourne Jail stated “Such is life”, but more (unintentionally) ironic last words came from a General Sedgwick during a battle in the US Civil War -  “They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist. . . .”

Then there are vivid examples from people who heroically gave their lives to save others.  “I am just going outside and may be some time” said a terribly frost bitten Captain Lawrence Oates on Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole. And on the 9th September, 2011, Todd Beamer led the passenger charge against armed terrorists with the battle cry “Let’s roll!”

Some last words are sadly ironic, others are the culmination of a life lived well.

Easter is a festival that has been celebrated world-wide by billions of people, of myriad races, languages and cultures for nearly 2000 years.  Christmas is primarily about the birth of Jesus Christ, Easter commemorates His death. 

What were Jesus' last words?  

The eye witness accounts agree that right at the point of death Jesus cried out "It is finished".  Such a statement can have two opposite meanings – either the death of a dream in heart-breaking failure, or, conversely, a triumphant achievement. 

The Greek word translated “it is finished” in our Bibles was an accounting term that meant “paid in full”. Christians believe that Jesus was declaring that the debt owed by every person who has ever lived was paid for completely and forever.   That debt is not mere money, but our individual failure to measure up to God’s standard in how we live our lives.  In our failure and guilt we all need forgiveness and grace.

The founders of this school believed emphatically in the cosmic and eternal significance of what Jesus Christ had finished.  The full impact of His willing self-sacrifice can only be understood in the light of the cataclysmic events that followed three days later – which we celebrate soon on Resurrection Sunday.

"There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious day Up from the grave He rose again! 

And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me, 

For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ. 

No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny. 

No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand: Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."