etcetera:

Luke 23:44-46

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

This work arrests me. The darkness that Melody’s already recalled in her reflection on Jesus’ ultimate rejection by His Father is swirling about Him… winning the fight… taking His life. 

Brennan Manning wrote that “God’s greatest defeat of evil was in not resisting it.” Jesus embraced His calling. Jesus surrendered, drinking the cup of God’s wrath on sin “to the dregs,”forgiving His enemies as He did, trusting His Father to do what He will with His Spirit. 

How?! How does anyone surrender to this?!

Jesus tells us how from the cross. 

His final words are a line from a Psalm of King David:

1 In You, O YHWH, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame;
    in Your righteousness deliver me!
2 Incline Your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

3 For You are my rock and my fortress; and for Your name’s sake You lead me and guide me;
4 You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for You are my refuge.
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O YHWH, faithful God.

Psalm 31 was a prayer in the heart and mind of Jesus as He died. 

“You Father, You… Your My righteousness, Your My listening ear, You’re My rock, My fortress, My refuge, You alone rescue Me, You’ve guided Me to this for Your name’s sake, and the glory of Your name means everything to Me! You will rescue Me from this net of death. You are My God, the Faithful God. You have redeemed Me. Into Your hands I commit my Spirit.”

God led Him to His death. Jesus didn’t wanna go. But He surrendered His Father’s will and plan, and trusted God with His life. “… into your hands I commit my spirit.” 

Author, Al Allison. Holy Week 2024