Final words, last words, are always imbued with great importance. Jesus’ “final words” come in two different settings. According to Luke’s gospel the final words Jesus utters before the world are “Father into your hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). This was a prayerful, pious declaration of a Torah obedient Jew, as far as the world was concerned, nothing more.

But that cry from the cross was not Jesus’ final word. The post-resurrection Jesus had another “final” message for his disciples. For those who witnessed his triumph over the grave; for those who saw and understood the power and the person of the risen Lord; for those who would now be the first community of faith: Jesus had new words and an unexpected directive. Jesus’ final words to the world evoked a response of “Certainly t…