The 7 Last Words of Jesus Christ

Photo courtesy of Zazzle.com

Good Friday, after lunch from 12-3pm, back home in the Philippines, is when the 7 last words of Jesus Christ is normally broadcast on radio and TV.  With an estimated 80-million Catholics in a country with a 100-million plus population, the Philippines is a bastion of Roman Catholicism.  The more than 400 years under Spanish colonial rule has ensured that fact.  The country has a long Holy Week from Palm Sunday all the way to Easter Sunday.  Everything stops/closes (schools, shops, malls, cinemas, etc.) on a Thursday and specially Friday.  People make their annual trek to the provinces for a time of reflection and meditation.  We used to be called the only Christian country in Asia until East Timor won its independence.  Now there are two.

Photo courtesy of Jesuswalk.com

I don't know why it was called "words."  I can only surmise that from the marketing point of view, of trying to propagate a faith, it was better to use words rather than something else.  Just imagine if we used "The 7 Last Expressions of Jesus Christ." Doesn't sound that good, right?  For me they were expressions of a man on the cross, the one we call Jesus Christ.  His life has been documented in the Holy Bible and these expressions were taken from the Good Book, as written in the Gospels of Luke, John, Matthew and Mark.

1. Father forgive them, for they do not know what they're doing (Luke 23:34)
2. I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)
3. Behold your son, behold your mother (John 19:26)
4. My God, my God, why have you forsake me? (Mark 15:34)
5. I thirst (John 19:28)
6. It is finished (John 19:30)
7. Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit (Luke 23:46)

Now that we know about the "words," the next thing that comes to my mind is: why 7 and not 5 or 3 or 10?  Think about it and let me know your thoughts!