Hope At The Cross: The Final Words Of Jesus

As Jesus hung on the cross, His body broken and bleeding, His words were few—but full of meaning and power. In His final sayings, he’s sharing with us that we don’t find despair, but hope.

"His last breaths were not cries of defeat, but they were declarations of victory."

"From the cross, Jesus didn’t whisper despair, but He proclaimed deliverance."

"What looked like the end, was actually the beginning of eternal hope."

Even in death, Jesus was pointing us to life. Of his last seven saying the first thing he says “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

Our hope begins with forgiveness. Even as nails tore His flesh, Jesus offered mercy, and if He forgave them, He can forgive us.

May I tell you that there is no sin that is too great, no problem is to large, and it does not matter what you have done, His love is greater still.

2. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Hope is for the repentant. The one thief believed in Jesus, and in an instant, eternity changed. No matter how late it seems, it does not matter what you have done, and how dark life might seem, it’s never too late to turn to Jesus.

Absolutely — that sentence is packed with meaning, and unpacking it can bring out some deep theological truth and pastoral encouragement. Let’s break it down and go deeper:

Here it is. “Hope is for the repentant.”

The lesson here is that us that hope isn't random, but it's found when a heart turns toward Jesus in humble repentance. And may I tell you that repentance is more than saying “I’m sorry.” It’s a heart turning, a change in direction, and a surrendering.

And the beauty of this is that Jesus never turns away a repentant heart. Psalm 51:17 says:

Hope is not earned by our goodness. It is unlocked the moment we confess our need. “The one thief believed in Jesus, and in an instant, it changed his eternity.”

This is one of the most powerful moments in Scripture, because here is a dying criminal, likely guilty of violence and theft, hanging beside Jesus. No opportunity to serve in ministry. No chance to clean up his life. Just a simple faith:

“He didn’t get a second chance to make things right. He didn’t have time to prove his faith with good works. All he had was a dying breath—and he used it to call on Jesus.”

“No record of righteousness. No life left to live differently. Just a desperate heart and a simple cry, and Jesus met him right where he was.”

“He didn’t have time join a church, lead a Bible study, or right his wrongs. But he could believe—and that was enough for grace to flood in.”

He said “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42)

And Jesus responds: “Truly I tell you, today thou shall be with Me in paradise.”

In an instant, this man moved from judgment to grace.

From death to life.

From hopeless, to being heavenly bound.

This moment proves that salvation is not about performance, but about a personal relationship with Jesus. And when we believe, our entire eternity is changed, in a moment.

“No matter how late it seems…”

This speaks to the fear many people carry:

"It’s too late for me."

"I've wasted too many years."

"I’ve gone too far."

The thief on the cross dispute that lie. There is no expiration date on God’s grace. If you have breath in your body, you still have an invitation. “It does not matter what you have done, and how dark life might seem…”

This reminds us that hope is not for the perfect, but it’s for the broken.

Jesus isn’t afraid of your past.

He’s not overwhelmed by your darkness.

He’s not surprised by your sin.

Whether you're young or old, proud or ashamed, far or near, tell your neighbor It is never too late.

The cross reminds us that as long as we can call on the name of Jesus, there is hope. Not because of us, but because of who He is.

“Hope isn’t for the holy—it’s for the humble. The moment the thief believed, eternity opened up widely. So don’t let guilt, fear, or time convince you it’s too late. As long as Jesus is alive—and He is—hope is still on the table.”

3. “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your mother.” (John 19:26–27), it seems like it was a family affair.

Hope cares for others, even in suffering. Jesus made sure His mother was not left alone. He teaches us that love never stops giving—even when it's hard.

4. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)