For obvious reasons, last words carry a profundity not found in more common speech. Their impact lies in the fact that they give cause for the summation of life, and so when they are captured they are often weighty. This is especially true of Christ's last words. The Heart of the Cross attempts once again to bring to light the deeper meaning behind Christ's final words as he died upon the cross-words that capture all the great truth of his life and the salvation he brings.
Boice and Ryken have done their readers a great service in their analysis of Christ's concluding comments to his followers. They successfully combine the historic context, the mood of post-crucifixion despair, and the joy of witnessing a risen Lord. Chapter 8 (A Word for the Seeker) and Chapter 12 (A Word for the Troubled) are especially helpful in introducing readers to infrequently considered biblical characters and their perspectives on Christ.
The book functions as an historical guide, a theological treatise, and a contemporary devotional. It reminds seasoned Christians of the price of their salvation and the impact of Christ's words and works on the world. At the same time, it introduces the novice to the world of theology and its application to daily life, since the authors give us a detailed account of the significance and application of the salvific work of Christ. This theological journey is worth the effort, because we cannot be adequately grateful for what Christ has done without first grasping the magnitude of it.
Although these will not be the "last words" revealing Christ's impact on all humanity, they certainly contribute to our appreciation of how richly and practically the final words of Christ influenced his first followers and how much they still ought to influence us, his contemporary followers, now. It is well worth reading, and ideal as an Easter devotional.
