The Very Last Saying on the Cross
As we finish examining the last statement from the cross let's look at it from the angle of peace and comfort.
As Jesus gave up that last breath, He had peace. Did you notice that He went from "My God, My God" as he earlier addressed God the Father to now here simply addressing Him as "Father?" We sense comfort and closeness now. Isn't he saying, "into your hands Dad I come?" Don't you get a sense of comfort even now as he's nailed to the cross?
This quote comes from Psalm 31:5 and is an old Jewish bedtime prayer. As we go to sleep, there is no better place than to put ourselves into the hands of the Father. Isn't that what our small children believe when they go to sleep? Don't they feel the comfort of their parents' protection and love and sleep peacefully knowing they are well cared for?
Jesus Christ is the author of peace. In Him alone is real peace. Whatever trials you have, whether it be from poverty, wealth, health, jobs, family, etc we can have peace as He did in the midst of whatever it is that troubles us. He said in John 16:33:
"These things I have spoken unto you that in me you might have peace,. In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
What about those that do not believe? Isaiah addressed this in 57:11. "There is no peace said my God to the wicked" Unbelievers are separated from God. They would not commit themselves into the hands of God. But will they end up there anyway? Jonathan Edwards, a well known preacher had a great revival in the 1800's with his sermon "Sinners In the Hands of An Angry God." It was said of that day, that people were crawling down the aisles in repentence commiting themselves to God in droves. For those who do not believe, peace will not be found in the hands of God but only terror and anguish will be found there.
To trust in God is to commit which is "paratithemi" in the Greek and means, "to place beside or near; to make deposit; commit to one's charge; to place into someone's trust."
Have you come to your life where you poured your life into His hands? Is He even part of your life? Christ did. We can look back and see other great examples of those who did commit their lives to God. We see Noah who entered that ark. God shut the door and made sure Noah and his family were safe. Daniel and his friends trusted in God even to the point of death. Paul and Silas chained to a wall singing praises to God in a dark, dank prison trusted God. They all placed their lives into the hands of God.
Jesus said these comforting words: "I give them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them to me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
He's our security. Our trust. He'll protect us to the very end. As believers we have full assurance of who he is. Have you trusted and commited your life to him?
Hebrews 10:19-20 says that his flesh became the veil for us. He is the new way. The torn veil of the temple opened the way to the Holy of Holies and symbolized Christ's flesh on the cross which opened access to God for us. But for some that don't accept this it continues in v31 to say: "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God." I'm sure this is where Edwards got his idea for the sermon that changed the lives of possibly thousands who took this to heart.
He will give us just what we want.. He will give us just what we asked for. All roads eventually do lead to God, yes, one way or another.
The last thing to look at is the confidence that believers have of who God is. Paul said to Timothy "....I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Tim 1:12. This verse is put into hymn form, is a very pretty hymn and one of my favorites.
As we end, let's go back to that Psalm of the Old Jewish prayer and where Christ quoted this last saying of the cross. It's amazing how throughout his life he quoted the OT scriptures. He loved the words and spoke them like no other.
"In thee O Lord do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed, deliver me in your righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily; be thou my strong rock, for a house of defence to save me. For you are my rock and my fortress therefore for your name's sake lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me; for you are my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.....But I trusted in you O Lord; I said you are my God. ....Make your face to shine upon your servant; save me for your mercies' sake." 31:1-5,14,16
Through it all there was a centurion who watched the whole thing unfold. He finally after witnessing it all came to this conclusion:
"Now when the centurion and they that were with him watching Jesus saw the earthquake and those things that were done, they feared greatly saying, Truly THIS WAS THE SON OF GOD."
Where are you going after you die? Maybe you're contemplating that right now. Maybe you've never even thought about it much. For believers maybe it's more about re-commiting yourself fully to God. It's really between you and God. Has God been tugging on your heart? Are you listening or shutting him out of your life so you can live your life for yourself? It is your will or His?
Well that's the end of this whole seven part series. I'm contemplating whether or not to do Revelation. Talk about commitment. That's a big one. I'm not sure yet, not that it wouldn't be interesting...it's sure to be quite interesting. Is it God's will or mine? That's the question.