“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, NIV84)

I get a lot of comfort from Jesus’ final statement from the cross. He no longer says, “My God, My God…”, but once again the deeply relational “Father” falls from His lips. “Father, into your hands…”. Now that is more like it! That is what I would expect to hear. You see, Jesus had fully paid the price for humanity’s sins. It truly was finished! Our salvation had been won, and Jesus returned to the Father victorious over Satan, the sinful world, and our sinful flesh. Jesus breathed His last and His Father graciously received His Son back into the heavenly realms.

It is important that we always remember that Jesus was in control of the occurrences of Good Friday. He willingly offered Himself up as a sacrifice so that He might redeem and save us. The crucifixion did not kill Jesus. He gave up His spirit because His work was finished. Listen to what Jesus said about this earlier in His ministry: “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life — only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:17–18, NIV84). No one can take His life from Him! Jesus accomplished all that was necessary to save the world by laying down His life, and on Easter morning, He would take it up again.

Even on Good Friday, Jesus was Lord!

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church