Jesus’ Last Word on the Cross

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:46

Jesus died as he lived, trusting his Heavenly Father.  That was not easy, particularly when the sins of the world were laid on his shoulders   In that most inexplicable moment Jesus felt abandoned, so much so that he cried out, not because he was cut off from friends, family and community, from food and drink or for any other loss in that moment. No, he felt the worst abandonment possible, abandoned by his Heavenly Father with whom he lived in perfect unity from before time was, now, diverting his eye from Jesus who is bearing all sin in his body there on the tree.  Alone.

We see his complete trust in the Father.  Jesus entered death in the same way he lived each day of his life, offering up his life as the perfect sacrifice and placing himself in God’s hands.

Who killed Jesus?  Did the Roman Empire kill him?  Did the Jews kill him?  No, his was killed by my sin and yours.  When we truly believe that, life takes on an entirely new meaning.  Jesus Christ saves us!  I owe everything to him, everything.  I gladly relinquish my need to understand.  The understanding is blended with faith and trust in God.

Even though Jesus felt alone, in his darkest hour he committed his spirit to God.  All of us need to learn this lesson. Heaven and earth will pass away.  God’s love for us is eternal!  Praise Him forever, and ever, amen.