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One long-established religious tradition in the Philippines is the Siete Palabras, the expository preaching on the Seven Last Words on Good Friday. All over the country, Priests, Pastors, Evangelists and Church leaders use for their texts the words which fell from the parched lips of the crucified Christ as He hung in agony on Calvary’s cross.

Salient points brought out are predictably the same year after year. Variations in emphasis are slight, reflecting denominational differences on the part of the speakers. Listeners have grown accustomed to the emotionally charged oratory. The worn-out phrases have somehow diminished the deep significance and potential impact of the scripture legacy.

I would like to point out that while there were indeed “seven last words” uttered from the cross, there were also seven, individuals or groups, whose response as they saw our suffering Saviour on the first Easter Friday is recorded for all in Scripture. Seven again—no more, no less! Could this be mere coincidence? God is a God of perfect order and precision and purpose are clear hallmarks of His wonderful ways (Romans 11:33). With God, there is no happenstance! Seven has an eminent place among sacred numbers in the Scriptures, and is associated with completion, fulfillment and perfection.

In Matthew 27:33-35, Mark 15:24-25 and Luke 23:33 we read those terse words. There they crucified Him: There at Golgotha – Hebrew for “place of skull”, Latinised to Calvary – we see the only exception to King David’s declaration. “I have been young and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25. At Golgotha the Righteous One allowed Himself to be forsaken.

The harrowing experience needed no sensational adjuncts or rhetoric. The details of the crucifixion of Christ are not elaborated in the Gospel accounts; but it is known how Romans meted out the horrible death sentence. Long, crude, rusty spikes were driven through the hands and feet before the bare bodies were lifted up by ropes on the heavy wooden cross-pieces, held high for all to scorn and ridicule. The anguish, pain and degradation can be left to the imagination. The excruciating process bringing about a slow and agonizing death was unlike speedier modern-day executions by gas chamber, electric chair, lethal injection or firing squad.

It is quite significant that the last time this unbelieving world saw the Lord Jesus, He was a sorry sight, dying like a common criminal, forsaken, despised, rejected – a picture of defeat. He did not show Himself to the unregenerate multitudes during the forty days after His glorious resurrection. But when He comes again, He will reign victoriously as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7.

Yes, there at Calvary, hanging between heaven and earth, our Lord brought about the reconciliation between a Holy God and sinful men. On the cross He crossed out the sins of all mankind (Galatians 3:13-14), sins that are to be remembered no more (Romans 5:1 & Isaiah 43:25). And by His side were two who saw Him, one who rejected Him, and one who was redeemed and whose eternal life was assured. He refused to come down from the cross lest all men go down to hell. He took our place in gracious condescension so He could lift us up to the heights of glory!

Those Around the Cross

Now let us identify the seven individuals or groups around the cross – those who spoke to Christ – and listen to what they said:

1. The Soldiers – who spoke scornful, mocking words – In Luke 23: 36-37 we read that; The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.”
2. The Passersby – who spoke unwise, satirical words – Those who passed by hurled insult at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!” Matthew 27:39-40
3. The Religious Leaders – who spoke hypocritical words – In Matthew 27 we meet the religious leaders. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, I am the Son of God.” Matthew 27:42-43.
4. The Bystanders – who spoke uninformed words – When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.” Mark 15:35-36
5. The Unrepentant Thief who spoke cynical words – One of the criminals who hung there, hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” Luke 23:39
6. The Sinner who got Saved – who spoke vital words – And he said unto Jesus, “Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Luke 23:40-42
7. The Centurion – who spoke confident and assured words – Finally we see the centurion, and in Matthew 27:54, Mark 15:39 and Luke 23:47 his great confession is recorded; “Surely this was a righteous Man — Truly, this was the Son of God.”

These words have impact for all of us against the familiar backdrop of Christ’s own words from the cross.

We keep on meditating on this, the attitudes we will see, and insight we discern, will help bring into sharper focus the true nature of man and the saving grace of God.