I didn't preach tonight, so there's no sermon. But we did have a service; a meditative service on the seven last words of Christ. So, for your own meditation, the seven last words.

And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for ethey do not know what they do." And fthey divided His garments and cast lots. And gthe people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God." The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself." And an inscription also was 9written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Hymn: "Jesus, in Thy Dying Woes"

1. Jesus, in Thy dying woes
   Even while Thy life-bIood flows,
   Craving pardon for Thy foes:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
2. Savior, for our pardon sue
   When our sins Thy pangs renew,
   For we know not what we do:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
3. Oh, may we who mercy need
   Be like Thee in heart and deed
   When with wrong our spirits bleed:
   Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

Hymn: "Jesus, Pitying the Sighs"

1. Jesus, pitying the sighs
   Of the thief who near Thee dies,
   Promising him Paradise:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
2. May we in our guilt and shame
   Still Thy love and mercy claim,
   Calling humbly on Thy name:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
3. May our hearts to Thee incline,
   Looking from our cross to Thine,
   Cheer our souls with hope divine:
   Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen.

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother!" And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Hymn: "Jesus, Loving to the End"

1. Jesus, loving to the end
   Her whose heart Thy sorrows rend,
   And Thy dearest human friend:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
2. May we in Thy sorrows share,
   For Thy sake all peril dare,
   And enjoy Thy tender care:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
3. May we all Thy loved ones be,
   All one holy family,
   Loving for the love of Thee:
   Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen.

Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And 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?"

Hymn: "Jesus, Whelmed in Fears Unknown"

1. Jesus, whelmed in fears unknown,
   With our evil left alone,
   While no light from heaven is shown:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
2. When we vainly seem to pray
   And our hope seems far away,
   In the darkness be our Stay:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
3. Though no Father seem to hear,
   Though no light our spirits cheer,
   May we know that God is near:
   Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.

Hymn: "Jesus, in Thy Thirst and Pain"

1. Jesus, in Thy thirst and pain,
   While Thy wounds Thy life-blood drain,
   Thirsting more our love to gain:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
2. Thirst for us in mercy still,
   Satisfy Thy loving will:
   All Thy holy work fulfill.
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
3. May we thirst Thy love to know;
   Lead us in our sin and woe
   Where the healing waters flow:
   Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen.

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Hymn: "Jesus, All Our Ransom Paid"

1. Jesus, all our ransom paid,
   All Thy Father's will obeyed,
   By Thy sufferings perfect made:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
2. Save us in our soul's distress,
   Be our Help to cheer and bless
   While we grow in holiness:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
3. Brighten all our heavenward way
   With an ever holier ray
   Till we pass to perfect day:
   Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen.

Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last.

Hymn: "Jesus, All Thy Labor Vast"

1. Jesus, all Thy labor vast,
   All Thy woe and conflict past,
   Yielding up Thy soul at last:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
2. When the death shades round us lower,
   Guard us from the Tempter's power,
   Keep us in that trial hour:
   Hear us, holy Jesus.
3. May Thy life and death supply
   Grace to live and grace to die,
   Grace to reach the home on high:
   Hear us, holy Jesus. Amen.