Customer Reviews

The Seven Last Words of Christ: A Bible Study on Jesus' Passion (Emmaus Journey Bible Study Series)

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This is a good book for a small group bible study. There are seven lessons. Each has passages that are short enough to read as a group, either to give members a chance to collect their thoughts or to catch up if they haven't had time to prepare. Each lesson also ends with a page of individual reflection and two lined pages for extra notes. There is also a brief "real world" story connected to each lesson, which were some of my favorite parts.

I bought this to prepare to participate in part of a group discussion on "The Seven Last Words of Christ." I found this a great tool that any group could use to adequately break into this mysterious exercise normally left to the most experienced of preachers.

Each individual section provides the Sacred Scripture, a quote from a well-known writer/speaker and/or a relevant reflection, a series of questions for personal reflection, and a true story to summarize Jesus' words in a real-life situation.

I found this very effective. For instance, when Jesus asks for forgiveness, "Father, forgive them...," the author uses Father Richard John Neuhaus who lists all who Jesus would have had in mind. Surprisingly, he ends with, "And for us he asks forgiveness, for we were there" (see Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross). This then becomes something we really need to reflect on. This is powerful in showing that each of us played a part in this. It is not just "them." Jesus went to the cross for me and you. This is coupled with a real-life example on betrayal and the difficulty of forgiveness. It shows how the Lord must open our eyes to see our faults and how we really need the same forgiveness that we refuse to give to others -- a difficult but genuine lesson for any of us to begin to see and grasp. There are others too, for example: we are Dismas; we also enter into the pain of separation Jesus experienced with his Mother; etc.

It's a simple presentation that can have a moving effect. It is not overdone. It allows plenty of room for us to enter the picture and see ourselves in the light of this aspect of the Passion of Jesus.

It is moderately priced for groups with Amazon's "4-for-3 promotion."

This book was just what our small church group needed during Lent. It led right up to Easter with seven lessons that really explore the last days of Jesus' earthly life. I personally enjoyed the lesson about Jesus' Mother Mary and her role as supporter, follower and revered Mother. Highly recommended as well as the other books in this series.

Rich Cleveland wrote a short but interesting book titled THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST. The topic has inspired Sacred Music, serious religious studies, and serious religious reflection especially for devout Catholics during the Lenten Season. Cleveland's book is not an extended work, but he made pages available for those who want to enter serious thought and attention to The Seven Last Words of Christ.

As some readers know, The Seven Last Words of Christ has been a theme for Sacred Music. For example, The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestera has done performances of the theme(s). Franz Josephy Haydn (1732-1809) composed music about The Seven Last Words of Christ. Theordore Dubois (1837-1924) wrote composition re the topic. Fritz Setin (1879-1961)did work re The Seven Last Words of Christ. Stanley Hauerwas (1940-Present)wrote a book titled CROSS SHATTERED CHRIST which is a philosophical examination of The Seven Last Words of Christ.

Cleveland began this book with the Gospel selection from Luke's Gospel (Luke 23-32)whereby according to the Gospel Christ prayred, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Cleveland made short comments about sin and guilt which has been a theme since recorded history. Cleveland gave a good summary of a good vs. a bad conscience and made the point that apathy can be an evil trait when confronted by serious dilemmas. In other words, apprehensively conventional attitudes can lead to evil, and many men and women immunize themselves to serious issues re evil and power.

The second chapter dealt with the passage from Luke 23: 32-33, 39-43 whereby Christ forgave the thief or rebel who admitted his past evil deeds. The possible deeper meaning may be that in spite of suffering, Christ forgave his accusers and executioners and even a "no account" criminal who admitted to his guilt and just punishment. The condemned man who confessed to his crimes was Dismas, and the deeper meaning was that Christ even extended forgiveness while suffering an agnoizing death as an innocent Man.

Chapter 3 examined the passage from John's Gospel 19: 23-25 whereby Christ told his beloved deciple John that The Virgin Mary was John's mother and that John was Mary's son. The deeper meaning was that sincere people can harbor the persecuted and protect them. Cleveland cited examples during W.W. II when some conscientious Europeans harbored Jewish refugees.

Chapter 4 treated the section from Matthew 27: 43-54 re Christ's comment, "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me." The message is that many men and women have thought themselves betrayed and forsaken during crises. The basic premise in this chapter is not to lose hope. Cleveland could have made a good comment that the phrase, "My God, My God..." is part of the opening line of Psalm 22. Often devout Jews would recite the Psalms during crises. Cleveland touched upon the existential meaning of this passage, but he could have extended his comments.

Chapter 5 dealt with the passage from John 19:28-30 whereby Christ wanted water and was given water with sour gall. Cleveland dealt with the significance of water in the Bible. Water was used for baptism and purification rites. Christ described himself as the Living Water. Yet, when misused as the water with sour gall, water is impure. Another theological meaning is thirst. Men and women often thrist for deeper meaning, and the symbolism of water was in this section of the book was well done.

Chapter 6 treated the passage from John 19:28-30 whereby Christ, according to John's Gospel, made this comment. The question is what was finished. According to devout Christians, the Passion was finished, but Christ was not. Cleveland made the point that sincere men and women will sacrifice their lives for others, and the symbolism deals with "the Human Condition."

Chapter 7 gave readers insight into the Gospel passage from Luke 23:44-49 when Christ said, "Into Your Hands I commend My Spirit." All of us face the inevitability of death. According to Christian doctrine physical death is not the end. Cleveland had a good comment that in order to die well, men and women should live well. The question is what is meant by "living well." Or as Plato (427-347 BC) wrote in THE APOLOGY, life is a preparation for death.

Cleveland could have expanded this book. He had blank pages for readers to write their reflections on the text and meaning of The Seven Last Words of Christ. The undersigned would have include other comprehensive books and Sacred Music to embellish the philosophical/theological meanings of the topic. However, readers can find these sources after reading this book which is a good introduction to The Seven Last Words of Christ.

James E. Egolf
June 19, 2010

Our Fraternity used this wonderful book for our Lenten Day of Spirituality. Each of the seven chapters builds on upon the other in leading the participants to the realization that Christ loves and forgives us; and we are here to help all that need our help. Obviously this book is great for groups because of the sharing and interaction but can just as easily be used by an individual. Each chapter has a self reflection time which can actually be accomplished most any quiet time. I highly recommend The Seven Last Words of Christ for anyone who desires a more in depth understanding of our Lord and his Passion and what it means for us today. Side note: I have a copy in PDF of all the bible references chapter by chapter for those who would like a copy. If you read this review and comment indicate as such. Love and Peace from a Secular Franciscan.