St. Patrick Presbyterian Church, Epc

French philosopher Voltaire (1694-1778) was famously opposed to the church and to much of Christian doctrine. If you want a fun time on Google, try looking up his last words. There are several accounts, many of them quite humorous. One of the more somber accounts says he cried out in desperation to his physician, "I am abandoned by God and man! I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months’ life." The physician replied, "Sir, you cannot live six weeks." Voltaire concluded, "Then I shall go to hell, and you will go with me." For the hopeless, Christ-less, deathbed Voltaire, his last words are sad and selfish. What a contrast to the crucified Messiah.  We've been exploring the seven final sayings of Christ this Lent. While his pain is evident, his words from the cross are far from sad and selfish. Instead of retreating into his small world of suffering, he turns his attention to the others around him, offering mercy to the soldiers, pardon for the thief, and compassion to his mother and