As this Holy Week moves steadily toward Golgotha, I offer this musical meditation upon the cross and the revelatory words that Jesus spoke there.

Last Words (words and music by Eric Park; performed by Tara and Eric Park)

Woman, now behold your son
Son, behold your mother here
Soon my journey will be done
My last breath is drawing near

It would ease my broken heart
If a family has begun
No need now to be apart
Woman, now behold your son

Man beside me, dying too
Penitent with your last breath
Hear now what I say to you
There is life beyond your death

Let me heal your broken heart
Let me set a captive free
I will gladly take your part
Come be in paradise with me

And the soldier that day
When he witnessed the way
The way in which Jesus did breathe his last breath
The soldier stood by
Wiped a tear from his eye, and said
“Surely we’ve beaten God’s own Son to death”
“Surely we’ve beaten God’s own Son to death”

Why have you forsaken me
Warmth of blood upon my brow
There’s no comfort on this tree
There’s no sense of your love now

It would ease my bitter pain
If you’d make your presence new
I thirst for water, fresh like rain
But even more I thirst for you

Father, now forgive this land
Unaware of what they do
They do not yet understand
By killing me they’re killing you

It is finished, life is done
My spirit’s in your gentle care
May the victory now be won
Bring me home, embrace me there

And the soldier that day
When he witnessed the way
The way in which Jesus did breathe his last breath
The soldier stood by
Wiped a tear from his eye, and said
“Surely we’ve beaten God’s own Son to death”
“Surely we’ve beaten God’s own Son to death”

It would ease my broken heart
If my work were not in vain
Let my spirit now depart
Bring redemption to this pain