Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Lenten Devotion 2016

 

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).

 

Good Friday

 

Read Luke 23:44-49.

 

An unnatural darkness fell upon the land from noon to three in the
afternoon. Luke explains, "The sun's light failed" (Luke 23:45a).
This profound darkness marked the judgment of mankind's sins,
the bitter darkness of hell.

 

At Jesus' death at the end of those three hours, the curtain of the
temple was torn in two: a powerful sign for the Jewish rulers.
Throughout the Old Testament this curtain symbolized the
separation sin had caused between God and humanity. In Jesus'
perfect sacrifice, that boundary of sin is completely removed, and
we have direct access to God through Jesus (see Hebrews 9:11-12).

 

With His Heavenly Father's anger stilled, our salvation secured, and
His work completed, Jesus cries out in a loud voice, "Father, into
Your hands I commit My spirit!" and He breathes His last.

 

The centurion, seeing how Jesus' suffered and died, and the signs
that accompanied His death (see Matthew 27:51-53) praises God,
and proclaims Jesus' innocence. Clearly, Jesus was no criminal,
and He didn't deserve to be executed with them.

 

Luke next points us to the crowds standing nearby. Having seen the
darkness and the other signs accompanying Jesus' death, they
return home beating their breasts. This Jewish sign of regret and
sorrow shows they knew a guiltless man had been put to death. They
cease to be spectators and become repentant Jews, ripe for Peter's
wondrous sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-24).

 

Finally, at a distance, stand some of Jesus' acquaintances and
faithful women who had followed Him from Galilee. In the coming
days they will play an important role in our story.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, the miracles that accompanied Your death proved that
You are indeed the Son of God, Savior of the world. Strengthen my
faith that I may always trust in Your all-sufficient ransom for my sins.
Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)