Quote of Note #139: Christ’s Last Words for Us

“Alas! it was also for me that Thou didst pray, ‘Forgive them!’ Forgive my soul whatever it has done against Thee! For me Thou didst cry: ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?’ in order that I might never be forsaken, not in the hour of death, not in my crosses, not in my afflictions, not in the Judgment on the last day, neither here in time nor yonder in eternity. For me Thou didst say, ‘I thirst.’ Grant that in turn I may embrace Thee by faith, may thirst after Thee and pant after Thee as the hart panteth after the water-brooks, and may be delighted and refreshed with Thy love. For me Thou wast concerned when Thou saidst to John: ‘Behold Thy mother!’ Although I may stand like Mary beneath the cross, forsaken by all men in my tribulation, Thou wilt cordially receive me, wilt have mercy upon me, take care of me, help me, and be gracious to me. Oh, let me hear in my dying hour Thy voice saying, ‘To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise.’ Give me this assurance in the days of my health repeat it to me on my deathbed, and after I have departed, let it be fulfilled in me. For Thou didst say, ‘It is finished!’ Everything has now been done that I ought to have done; everything has now been suffered that I ought to have suffered. Salvation, life, peace, joy, comfort, bliss, the crown of life, and white garments have been procured for me. Yea, Thy last word upon the cross shall become a word of comfort and cheer also when I die: ‘Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.’ Thus will I pray, repeating the words after Thee.”

Starck’s Prayer-Book. Dr. F. Pieper, German editor, W. H. Dau, translator and editor, St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, page 119.