Psalm 31 Into Your Hand I Commit My Spirit

How timely and appropriate is this psalm for today, Good Friday. Jesus cited the words of verse five while he was on the cross. "Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' And having said this he breathed his last (Luke 23:46)." It is often said that the last words of a dying person are very special. These words are indeed special to all who believe in him. Christ continues to teach until his last breath.

In his hour of persecution and anguish, Christ called unto his Father. The relationship between Father and Son is very tight. He often said that he and the Father were one. As a big brother, Jesus is giving me example on how to depend on the Father in all circumstances. He wants me to have a tight relationship with my heavenly Father too, as well as with him. Persecution, prejudice, or prison should not deter me from praying to my Father. Who will I call in the last moments of my life on earth?

Christ commits his spirit into the hands of his Father. It is a prayer of surrender. When the inevitable is about to happen, Christ teaches me to pray and surrender my life. It is a prayer of trust. When all odds are stacked against me, I must turn to God and trust him to make the best out of my circumstances. Only in God's hands will I be truly secure. It is a prayer of commitment. While he had many options, Christ chose to pray to his Father, he was committed to this relationship. Christ teaches me to make the same commitment. In the last moments of life on earth, only the very important relationships in life will come to mind. Who will that be for me?

Christ lived his life depending on the Father's direction, guidance, and power. His dependence was evident in his time away from the crowds to cultivate communion with the Father through prayer. He did only what the Father told him to do. He said only the words the Father told him to say. Christ, just as he lived, he also died depending on his Father to take care of his spirit at his last breath. What do I depend on in life? What do I hold onto? Christ wants me to depend on my heavenly Father.

Father, I want to be one with you and your Son. Help me surrender, trust in, and commit to you every day, especially in the dark moments of my life. May I be dependent on you for my every move; for my every word. Amen.

Matthew 28:1-10 The Resurrection

The tomb had been sealed and secured with a guard of Roman soldiers. But nothing could contain the Son of God. An earthquake shook the tomb. An angel rolled back the stone. The sealed tomb was opened. The guard became like dead. A message is given to the women who came to see the tomb: "He is not here! He has risen!" How fitting to deliver the message firsthand to those who were seeking Jesus. A call is issued: "Come and see!" And once they realize that the tomb is empty a commission is given: "Go and tell!"

This is the essence of the Gospel. The message of the cross compels me to seek Jesus. His display of love and forgiveness is like no other in the universe. He loved me so much as to give his life for me. He hung on the cross to give me the opportunity into a new life. He unselfishly offered himself in my place to spare me of condemnation. He loved me first so that I could love him back. At the cross my sin was washed away with all my guilt and shame.

But if I want to truly seek Jesus, I have to settle in my heart who he is for me. In order to do that, I need to come to the tomb! It is not enough to come to the cross; I must also visit the tomb and see it empty. The resurrection is the seal of approval from the Father that Jesus is who he said he is. It is the proof that his teachings were not mere words into the wind. At the cross, I am forgiven. At the tomb, I am convinced. The call is there for me: "Come and see!"

I must come to the tomb because it is there that I am commissioned. The call to "Come and See" is followed by the command to "Go and Tell!" Once I am convinced of the reality that has taken place in my heart, I have the duty to proclaim it to the four winds. I cannot keep it inside. I must tell. I become a genuine witness of what took place at the cross after I come to the tomb and am convinced of the reality of the resurrection. A visit to the tomb strips the cross of its mere sentimentality and fills it with true fear and joy. Fear of an awesome God who orchestrated such a plan. Joy of the reality of my freedom from sin and condemnation. Hallelujah!

Father, take me to the tomb and convince me in mind and heart of the reality of the resurrection. Make me a true witness of Christ that I may proclaim the good news to all who need to hear. 

Matthew 27:45-56 The Death of Jesus

Jesus' death was not a conventional execution. It was an extraordinary moment in history marked by natural and supernatural events. As Jesus bears the sin of all humanity, darkness covers the earth for at least three hours. It is a testimony through nature of God's judgment and wrath, even displeasure with the sin of humanity that is upon Jesus. Jesus is carrying my sin upon himself at the cross and suffered the forsakenness of the Father for me. His cry to the Father expressing this abandonment was a testimony to all bystanders of what was taking place. The Father's wrath was unleashed upon his own Son for my sin and those of all humanity.

Jesus gives his life at the ninth hour. It is believed that the Jews offered the evening sacrifice at the ninth hour when Jesus exhaled his last breath and yielded his spirit to the Father. The parallels between the sacrificial lamb and the sacrifice of Christ cannot be missed. He is the lamb that was slain for my iniquities. He gives his life voluntarily, no one takes it from him. Jesus took my place and paid the penalty for my sin so that I can have life in him today. Hallelujah!

Earthquakes were not uncommon in the area of Palestine, but to have an earthquake at the ninth hour combined with the splitting of rocks and the opening of tombs is just out of this world. There is some speculation about those who experienced resurrection at Jesus' death. Some believe that they were raised from the dead like Lazarus; others think they were raised with glorified bodies as a testimony to the promise of resurrection for all believers. Whether they died again or were taken up into heaven at the ascension is not really important. The important thing is that there was a supernatural testimony to all the bystanders that what took place was not a common execution.

Add to all these events the tearing in two of the temple curtain. This curtain was between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. It is here where the ark of the covenant is kept and the place where God used to make his presence known. No one was allowed to walk into the Holy of Holies except the high priest once a year to offer atonement for the people. The tearing of this curtain signifies that the presence of God is no longer to be confined to that place. Due to sin being paid for, the presence of God can manifest anywhere without restrictions. I am the temple of the Holy Spirit thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

All these things led to one conclusion: "Truly, this was the Son of God!" If anyone had missed the reality of his identity, all these details proved whom he claimed to be. My faith is strengthened by these testimonies. Jesus is the Son of God. He was not a liar nor a lunatic. He is the Lord!

Father, grow my faith day to day to trust and obey your Son. Thank you for the awesome work of redemption on the cross. Fill my heart with awe at what took place there. May you fill me with the hope of resurrection glory.

Matthew 20:17-19 Jesus Foretells His Death

Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem and informs his disciples that his death awaits him there. I am not sure that I would have the courage to continue my journey. For sure, we all are on our way to Jerusalem because death awaits us all, but to know the kind of death that awaits you is another thing. Jesus pressed on knowing the kind of death he would suffer.

His knowledge was not limited to his death, but he was very aware that death would not keep a grip on him. He also announced his resurrection to his disciples. The Scriptures tell us that for the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross. The joy of knowing that death could not hold him. The joy of knowing that through his death he offered life to all humanity. The joy of going back to the Father where he came from. Suffering is bearable when there is hope of a better future. Hope gives us joy and peace in our suffering.

This thought is so appropriate for the season I am living. Lent has begun and it is a time to remember the life and ministry of my Lord culminating with the celebration of his death and resurrection. It is a time to seek God. It is a time to train myself to be closer to him so that I may grow in godliness. It is a time to shed old bad habits that cripple my relationship with God and begin new habits that will promote my spiritual growth.

As Lent unfolds, may I look forward to Easter Sunday. As my Lord was able to press on with life despite his sufferings because of the joy set before him, may I also press on with life knowing the living hope I have in my God and his promises. As he looked forward to his resurrection, may I also look forward to mine with my heart filled with joy and my mind overflowing with peace in the midst of whatever circumstances I am going through today.

Lord, may I seek you during this Lent season with all my heart. Fill me with the hope of the resurrection. May your joy and peace overflow in me every day.