Jesus' Last Words
It has been reported that as Alfred Hitchcock lay on his death bed, he said, “One never knows the ending.” This striking statement causes my thoughts to quickly turn to the final chapter of Matthew. The seeming catastrophe of Jesus’ crucifixion on Golgotha’s hill in the previous chapter (27:45-61) gives way to his ultimate triumph in Galilee (28:16-20). What Jesus had predicted before his death (26:32) was now taking place, “just as he said” (28:6). However, for Matthew, Jesus’ resurrection is not the end of the story; rather, this belongs to his divine commission. Jesus’ words to his handpicked disciples are expressions of triumph and hope, not despair and uncertainty. Let’s review three encouraging ideas from Jesus’ last words recorded in Matthew.