Today we will finish up looking at the seven final sayings Jesus made on the cross. As we look in the context of the story of God’s love for us, our need for Him, and his plan to redeem us, we see the heart of the Savior.
So Far >>
“Father, forgive them.” (Luke 23:34)
The Big Idea: Christ gives us the example of forgiveness.
Today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
The Big Idea: It’s never too late for God’s mercy and grace.
Woman, behold your son. John, here is your mother. (John 19:26-27)
The Big Idea: Christ demonstrates his compassion in the midst of our pain.
Three hours of darkness
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:45-46)
The Big Idea: Christ was abandoned so we might be adopted.
“I am thirsty.” (John 19:28)
The Big Idea: Christ experienced thirst on the cross so ours might be quenched.
"It is finished." (John 19:30)
The Big Idea: Christ paid my debt in full.
This week >> the seventh and final statement Jesus made on the cross
Luke 23:44-46 NIV
"It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last."
Matt 27:50-53 NIV
"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people."
The death of Christ was, literally, an earth-shattering event. His birth split the heavens and as God became man, the angels sang and proclaimed the arrival of the Messiah – the Deliverer. At his death, there were no angels singing, no wise men bearing gifts. In fact, most of those closest to him had deserted him. Yet, in his death, he brought life. His death brought the earth to life. The ground shook and the rocks split. His death brought the Holy Place to life as the curtain was split from top to bottom. His death brought the dead to life as many were raised from their burial places. His death conquered death – overpowered it – crushed it – dominated it.
In this last cry from the cross, we see an incredible event take place and one final important glimpse at the heart of the Savior.
The timing:
This comes literally moments after he utters the statement, “It is finished.” Now that payment has been made and the atonement is complete, he utters his final statement, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
The statement:
Quote from Psalm 31:5
Into your hands I commit my spirit…
It was a prayer recognizing that God alone is our protector, our refuge, and our deliverer. It acknowledged that God was in control suffering and anguish.
Now, on the cross, with his dying breath, Jesus prays the same thing
Father…
Once again he is addressing his Father. Not the holy and just God that demands that sin be atoned for, but his Father. The one with whom he has existed since eternity past. The one who loved mankind so much that they worked out this deal to redeem his wayward creation.
Into your hands …
God’s hands represent:
Creativity / blessing / faithfulness / justice / healing
His hands can measure the oceans and seas, hold the winds, and set the boundaries of space.
“Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands?” Prov 30:4 NIV
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?” Isa 40:12 NIV
In the hands of God we find justice and a place of trust.
“The works of his hands are faithful and just…” Ps 111:7 NIV
What place can one commit themselves that is safer or more secure? Where could you go that you would be more protected from storms of life or the attacks of the enemy, than the hands of God. What better place when the boss comes in … the doctor comes in … spouse comes in … loss of a dream
“No one can snatch [my sheep] away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29 NLT
I commit my spirit …
This is more than just saying, “Here I come!”
paratithemi - to present or deposit (as a trust or for protection)
When I deposit money or a check at the bank, I am trusting that they will hold my money safely for me until I ask for it. I trust them so much, that I basically allow them to hold my life. They hold the money for my house payment / utilities / car payment / fuel / savings / vacation. (I hold my own grocery money – you just don’t take any chances with some things!)
What if they called one day and said, “Uh, we’re sorry but we accidentally threw out the shoebox that we were holding your money in.” I’d be sunk. And their trust would be shot.
In banking we have the FDIC to assure us that what we’ve deposited is safe. But greater than the FDIC is the Father – for he holds our very lives. Which leads us to…
Big Idea #1: The hands of the Father are safe and secure.
The result:
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Background on the Holy of Holies:
• The curtain separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple.
“Hang the inner curtain from clasps, and put the Ark of the Covenant in the room behind it. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. "Then put the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—on top of the Ark of the Covenant inside the Most Holy Place.” Ex 26:33-35 NLT
• Access to God was limited.
“The Lord said to Moses, "Warn your brother, Aaron, not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses; if he does, he will die. For the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—is there, and I myself am present in the cloud above the atonement cover.” Lev 16:2 NLT
• Sacrifice had to be made.
“When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.” Heb. 9:6-7 NIV
But when the one-for-all sacrifice of Christ was made and he cried out, “It is finished … Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” the curtain – the separation – was destroyed.
The significance:
• Torn in two > it was complete – nothing remained to be done. He didn’t tear a hole in it that we could peek thru or a little opening that we could crawl thru. He tore it in two, so that we could walk into the very presence of God.
• From top to bottom > God did it. We didn’t force our way in – he invited us in.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Heb 10:19-22 NIV
Big Idea #2:
We have unlimited access to the Father.
You don’t have to have someone else make atonement for you. It’s already been done.
You don’t have to wait on someone else to intercede for you. It’s already being done.
You’ve been invited in. You are welcome. By tearing down the curtain he is inviting you into a relationship with Him. You can draw near to God. You can enter into the presence of God.
Let me ask you a couple of questions as we close:
1. Are you placing your safety and security in the hands of God or in something/someone else?
2. On an incarnational level (i.e. as we live out the Kingdom of God):
Are your hands safe and secure for your spouse / friends / those in need?
Can you be trusted? Are you a refuge of truth and justice?
3. Are you making good use of the access we have to the Father or are you just peeking in for a glance?
Don’t undervalue or fail to appreciate what took place on the cross. It was not just the death of an enemy of the state. It was not just the death of a misguided prophet. No, it was the death of a compassionate, forgiving Messiah, who has offered you mercy and grace, by paying the penalty of your sin, so that you might be adopted by the Father and safety and security in his presence.
