Famous Last Words

 

   The final words before death can say a lot.

 

   When the end comes unexpectedly, a final utterance often betrays the uncertainties of life.  At Little Bighorn, General George Armstrong Custer boasted, “Hurrah, boys, we’ve got ‘em!  We’ll finish them up and then go home to our station.” He never made it off the battlefield.  Almost a century later, and minutes before an assassin’s bullet cut him down during his run for the American presidency, Robert Kennedy confidently told his supporters, “Let’s go on to Chicago and win there.”  Elvis Presley, replying to a girlfriend who admonished him not to fall asleep on the toilet, died with the words, “Okay, I won’t.”

 

   Even when death is expected, there is often poignancy, pain, and a powerful glimpse into how people see themselves and their lives.  “My work is done.  Why wait?” wrote Kodak founder George Eastman in a suicide note.  Grammar expert Dominique Bouhours said, “I am about to, or, I am going to die. Either expression is used.”  And pickpocket Thomas Moran went out with, “I’ve never forgiven that smart-alecky reporter who named me ‘Butterfingers.’”

 

   Last words can even give a fascinating glimpse into someone’s personality.  Marie Antoinette’s were, “Monsieur, I beg your pardon,” as she accidentally stepped on the toe of her executioner. 

 

   At the end, there is often resignation — “Let’s do it,” said murderer Gary Gilmore before facing a Utah firing squad in 1977  — and sometimes there is hopeful confidence.  “I’m not afraid to die, Honey,” said blues singer Ethel Waters.  “I know the Lord has his arms wrapped around this big, fat sparrow.”

 

   In much the same way, last wishes speak volumes.  Escape artist Harry Houdini wanted to be buried in his trick coffin with a stack of his mother’s letters beneath his head.  Though comedian W.C. Fields wanted part of his estate to fund the W.C. Fields College for orphan white boys and girls, his wish was never honoured.  And circus legend P.T. Barnum was so concerned about his name dying with him that he left $25,000 to his grandson, Clinton Seeley, provided he changed his middle name to Barnum.  Seeley did.   

 

   Jesus was concerned with a legacy, too, but not a self-serving, self-centred one.  His last words and last wishes say everything.  Just before his death on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30.)  Those words become all the more telling when we remember the very first words recorded from the mouth of Jesus.  “Don’t you know I must be busy about my Father’s business?” the youth asked when his frantic parents found him with the teachers in the synagogue.

 

   From the start, Jesus knew who he was, why he was here and where he was going.  It defined and sustained him, and stayed with him to the end.  “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God,” writes John, “so he got up and... began to wash the disciples’ feet” in a lesson about love and service (John 13:3)  When we know who we are and where we’re going, we can wash feet, too.

 

   The business Jesus was referring to — the work he finished on the cross — was giving all of us the chance to get rid of the sin that separates us from God.  At Calvary, he took the punishment that rightfully belongs to us because of our rebellion and disobedience. He qualifies us for the free gift of salvation, available to anyone who will accept it and live a life of gratitude and submission to his will.

 

   Those final words, “It is finished,” are full of purpose, power and completeness.  They speak of his love and sacrifice and show us the passion with which he pursues our spiritual well-being.  As for Jesus’ final wishes, they were entirely consistent with his character.  In his last conversation with his followers, he asked them to honour several requests:  serve one another;  trust him;  count on his promise to come back for them;  prove their love by obeying him;  stay connected to him and each other;  tell others about his love;  love each other as he loved them;  and stay united (John 13-16.)  

 

   For us, the work is not finished.  It is just beginning.  In your life, let love be the final word.

 

By Rick Gamble.  Published in Cross Current, the weekly newsletter of the followers of Christ congregation in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.  Reprint at will in not-for-profit publications.  To subscribe to this free weekly article, send a note to Rick at rgamble@bfree.on.ca