"Father, Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit."

"Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.'  When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:46

As we anticipate our celebration of Christ's Resurrection, I would like to suggest four important lessons from these, His final words from the cross.  His words teach us that…

1.  Jesus died actually.

 There has been a theory proposed over the centuries, by those who reject the possibility of His resurrection, that Jesus didn't actually die on the cross, but only "swooned," or passed out.  Medical scientists who are familiar with crucifixion assure us that this suggestion is entirely impossible, since physical exertion by the victim was necessary in order to continue breathing.  The victim of crucifixion died primarily from suffocation, overcome by weakness and the blood loss associated with his wounds, as he became unable to push himself up on his feet in order to get the next breath.  So had Christ become unconscious, He would have suffocated.

Neither was Jesus somehow rescued by angels from the cross, as others have proposed.  These people suggest that Jesus was spiritually delivered prior to His death, and that He therefore only gave the appearance of having died on the cross.  Of course, the evidence contradicts this theory as well.

After He died, the Roman soldier pierced His side with a spear.  Blood and water poured out of the wound, satisfying them that if He wasn't dead before, He was now, or would be shortly.  Blood and water do not pour forth from an apparition.  Moreover, the cry, "Into your hands I commit my spirit," would have been totally unnecessary had He been somehow spiritually rescued prior to his death.

It is of utmost importance to understand that Jesus died actually, not apparently, nor symbolically.  If Christ did not actually die, then the resurrection is a hoax, and you and I, and all mankind, are still in our sins.

But the clear evidence is that Jesus truly died.  He died actually. 

2.  Jesus also died willingly.

Having given His body, Christ now willingly offered His very soul to God.

Death has been defined as the unnatural rending of the soul from the body.  Death only exists as a curse from our Creator.  It is the penalty for sin: the sin of our first parents, and our own sin.

However, the Holy Spirit assures us through the writer of Hebrews that Christ, though tempted in every way just as we are, never committed sin (Heb. 5:14).  So He died a death that He himself did not merit.  Thus, in His suffering and death, Jesus truly experienced God's righteous judgment for sin.  He did this willingly, not reluctantly, not grudgingly nor under compulsion.  He willingly gave up everything He had – even His own soul – in order to set free those who rightfully deserved the sentence He endured.

Hebrews 9:14 tells us that "Christ...offered Himself without blemish to God".  No one took Jesus' life from Him; He died willingly...for us. 

From Jesus' last words from the cross, it is also evident that....

3.  Jesus died confidently.

Christ, who previously cried out to "Eloi, Eloi" – "my God, my God" - from whom He was, in that hour, and for the only time in all eternity, separated from fellowship, now with His final breath, addressed this same God personally as "Pater" - "Father."

The words which He shouted to His Father were from Ps. 31, in which the full text of the fifth verse reads:

"Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God."

The One to whom Jesus addressed these words is the Father about whom Jesus taught us:

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?  If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him?" (Matt. 7:7-11).

Jesus was confident that the One to whom He now committed His very soul would care for Him even after He had "breathed His last."  He knew that He would be delivered, on behalf of all those for whom He had died.  He died confidently.

Not only did Jesus die actually, willingly and confidently, but…

4.  Jesus died faithfully.

Everything Jesus did, He did with purpose.  The manner in which Jesus surrendered his soul reveals a great deal about the meditations of his heart even in confronting the Great Terror, and the courage and tranquility of his innermost character in that moment.  Jesus died – even after feeling forsaken by His Father – with a steadfast heart.  Jesus' heart at His death was one of devotion and expectation.  We know this because the prayer on His lips came first from the devotional diary of his earthly ancestor, David.

"Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God." 

Matthew Henry observes that "Christ died with scripture on His lips."  Thus He died with scripture in His heart.  No resentment, no hate, no condemnation of those who had hurt and killed Him.  Of this, the Apostle Peter writes:

           

 He never sinned,
      nor ever deceived anyone.
  He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
      nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
  He left his case in the hands of God,
      who always judges fairly.
  He personally carried our sins
      in his body on the cross
   so that we can be dead to sin
      and live for what is right.
   By his wounds
      you are healed.

            I Peter 2:22-24 (NLT)

Implications.

What do Jesus' last words from the cross imply for you and me?

We have no choice about this; we will die.  But how we die is up to us.  Willingly or humbly.  Entrusting our souls to God, or tenaciously clinging to life as if this is all there is.

In a sense, when we die is up to us.  We can wait until we "breathe our last," or we can consider, as the Apostle Paul said, that

My old self has been crucified with Christ.^[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Jesus said that "he who loves his life loses it, but he who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life" (John 12:25).

You and I can choose to live in the present as dead to ourselves, entrusting our lives to God every day, living for His purposes.  As the Paul also taught us, "He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised on their behalf" (II Cor. 5:15).

But in those final hours, what thoughts will fill minds?  What words will be on our lips?  I suspect it will depend greatly on the thoughts that occupied our minds the most during our lives.

So, whether we die actually is not our decision:  We will die - actually.

But, when our time comes to die, will we die willingly, responding obediently to our Master's summons?  Will we die confidently, knowing that the One who calls us is faithful to His promises?  Will we die faithfully, resting in those promises, allowing them to minister to our souls even as we release those souls to Him?  Will we also willingly, confidently and faithfully say, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit?" 

More Than a Crutch

"Christianity is a crutch," the man said.  Actually, he wanted no part of any religion, because to be religious implied that he was personally inadequate, somehow incomplete in and of himself.  At least, that was his rationale for being dismissive about the subject.

There is in each of us something inherently independent.  We could say that it is our culture which breeds this in us.  After all, we Americans have our roots in pioneerism.  We have always celebrated the lone hero, the completely capable person who is, at his core, an overcomer.

Or it could be that the hurts of life teach us to keep our distance from others, to wear the mask of confidence even when, inside, we are screaming for connection, for acceptance, for human love.  Our bold exterior becomes a shell which separates us even as it seems to protect us, even while our hearts shrivel in the aloneness.  In our souls we hurl stones at the ones we fear the most, even as we long for communion with them, with someone.  Could it be the pain we have experienced at the hands of others is the cause of the independence that keeps us far from the things of God?  Perhaps.

I think rather that it is something more innate, something that is part of the package with which we are born.  It comes with being human.  Call it pride, call it self-sufficiency, call it independence; the Bible calls it sin.  Not sin simply as something we do which is wrong; but sin as an operative principle at the center of our being.  St. Paul observed, "I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members" (Romans 7:23).  There is within each of us a deep antagonism to the one who made us, an unwillingness to come under His authority.  We want all His benefits, but none of His rule.

Kris Lundegaard suggests that our essential nature toward God mirrors that of Melville's Captain Ahab toward the White Whale: "He doesn't blink to forfeit his ship and every life it carries, if only he can heave his harpoon into that terrible eye" (The Enemy Within P&R Publishing: 1998, p. 43).  This is hard for us to swallow, but I think Lundgaard is right.  There is more that is broken about us than a crutch would suggest.  "Christianity is a crutch."  I think not.  I think it is more like a wheelchair.  Or a litter.  Actually, what we need is an overhaul, starting at the innermost part of us.  We need a resurrection of the heart.

 "Christianity is a crutch."  My answer is, "You don't know the half of it."

How far removed is such a perspective from that of the Puritan who penned this prayer:

"O Lord of Grace,
The world is before me this day, and I am weak and fearful, but I look to thee for strength;
If I venture forth alone I stumble and fall, but on the beloved's arms I am firm as the eternal hills;
If left to the treachery of my heart I shall shame thy name, but if enlightened, guided, upheld by thy Spirit, I shall bring thee glory.
Be thou my arm to support, my strength to stand, my light to see, my feet to run, my shield to protect, my sword to repel, my sun to warm.

To enrich me will not diminish thy fullness;

All thy lovingkindness is in thy Son,

I bring him to thee in the arms of faith,

I urge his saving name as the one who died for me.

Accept his worthiness for my unworthiness,

            His sinlessness for my transgressions,

            His purity for my uncleanness,

            His sincerity for my guile,

            His truth for my deceits,

            His meekness for my pride,

            His constancy for my backslidings,

            His love for my enmity,

            His fullness for my emptiness,

            His faithfulness for my treachery,

            His obedience for my lawlessness,

            His glory for my shame,

            His devotedness for my waywardness,

            His holy life for my unchaste ways,

            His righteousness for my dead works,

            His death for my life."

This is Christianity!  So much more than a crutch.

MODESTY: THE NAKED TRUTH

Having had - in a former life - a brief involvement in the dramatic arts, I have a deep concern for those in artistic professions, particularly actors.  They lead their lives in a very difficult, but highly influential, environment.  I am concerned for their spiritual welfare, and also for the power of their influence, not only through their craft, but also by their example.

So, each morning I pray for specific media leaders, actors, musicians and other performers, using a prayer guide produced by Master Media, a Christian ministry which takes the message of the love and redemption of Christ to media leaders.

Dr. Larry Poland is the visionary President of Master Media.   In an article in Spring 2011 issue of The Mediator, Dr. Poland published an article which deserves a wide reading, especially among those who profess to be followers of Jesus.  In it, he addresses an issue which I have observed as an increasing problem among the Christian community in recent years.  It is entitled, "Modesty:  The Naked Truth."  I submit it here for your prayerful consideration:

INTRODUCTION

Modesty is a virtue that is all but lost in American society and that has become increasingly rare even in the Christian community.  The pervasive influence of immodesty in society impacts Christian men and women through images in film, TV, videos, Internet, and in secular social settings.

Regardless of the above, the Bible condemns immodesty.  Immodesty has a number of destructive effects on the immodest person, on those who view the immodest person, and on the Christian community.

Speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Jeremiah the prophet condemns Israel's immodesty by saying, "…you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to blush in shame." (Jer. 3:3 NIV).  Again, he declared, "Are they not ashamed of their loathsome conduct?  No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush."  (Jer. 6:15 NIV).  Peter exhorts women to modesty in the following words, "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety…" (I Peter 2:9 NIV).

The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "shine like stars" on the dark backdrop of the degenerate culture around them.  Surely this includes the believer's image as well as his behavior – and modesty is about both.

A simple definition of modesty is:  Making sure that my external appearance accurately reflects my internal commitment to Christ and to biblical holiness – regardless of worldly fashions.

DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS OF IMMODESTY
            While immodesty can be a problem for both sexes, it is a greater and more common problem when expressed by women.  Following are some destructive elements of immodesty among believers:

1.      It blurs the distinction between those who know and love Christ and those who reject God and His law.  Question:  "Why wouldn't I want to appear to others like one who knows and loves Christ, rather than one from 'the world?'"

2.      It blurs the distinction between those who are immoral by behavior from those who are moral by behavior.  Question:  "If I am not an immoral person, why would I want to dress like one?"

3.      It detracts from the believer's true beauty, the countenance.  Question:  "If the light of Christ is in countenance, and He is the source of my attractiveness, why would I want to draw attention away from His countenance and true beauty by immodest dress?"

4.      It tempts others to sin.  Question:  "If immodesty in dress tempts others to lust after or to covet me sexually, am I willing to be responsible for their struggle?"

5.      It feeds the fleshly – not the spiritual – side of the immodest believer.  Question:  "If I dress or act immodestly in public, will it not stir within me inappropriate fleshly or sexually seductive passions?"

6.      It sends messages about the immodest person that reveal their true heart attitude toward purity.  Question:  If, as Jesus said, 'from the overflow of the heart a person speaks, ' why would I want my apparel to 'speak' that my heart is impure or immoral, if it isn't?"

7.      It contributes to temptations that lead to porn addiction, fornication, adultery, pregnancy out of marriage (and resulting abortions – my note), sexually transmitted diseases, and the impairment of sexual intimacy in the God-ordained bond of marriage.  Question:  "If I am not soliciting sexual advances, why would I want to dress as if I were, and, thus, risk having to deal with the potentially horrific consequences of such advances – possibly even rape?"

CONCLUSION
            In their best-selling book, Every Man's Battle:  Winning the War on Sexual Temptation Once Victory at a Time, Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker, and Mike Yorkey describe the plague of addiction to sexual temptation and impure images (a.k.a. pornography) in the Body of Christ.  Not just a man's problem anymore, "lust addiction" is a growing issue with believing women.
            Is it not time to make a renewed commitment to help each other conquer these temptations?  Step one surely must be to do nothing which feeds sexual lust and moral sin in others.

Recognizing God

Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?"  When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away.  Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath?  If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?"  Again they could not answer.

Luke 14:3-6

Change comes hard for most of us, particularly if the change addresses things we thought we knew for sure.  Christopher Columbus had a hard time selling people on the concept of a voyage to reach the East by traveling West, because they were absolutely confident the earth was flat.  Christian missionaries have often lost their lives because of their bold assertion that there is one gracious and loving God who rules over all creation, rather than a multitude of "gods" who hold people captive to sad, and frequently bizarre, superstitions.  When the truth challenges our way of seeing ourselves and the world in which we and our people live, we will often cling ever more tenaciously to our beliefs, even when they are false and harmful.

The Pharisees of Jesus' day struggled enormously with Jesus' Sabbath practices.  They were willing to receive His instruction only so long as His example conformed to their own practices, and those practices did not include healing the sick on the Sabbath.  They were so rigid in their interpretation of the law of Moses that their hearts were hardened even to the suffering of those whose care was entrusted to them.  Yet - think of it! - the person challenging their thinking was Jesus, the Son of God, the One through whom all things came into being.  Here was God in the flesh, giving them instruction and showing by His example a better, more compassionate way of seeing, and they rejected His lessons.

The issue really boils down to one of authority.  The Pharisees refused to recognize the authority Jesus had both to do what He did, and to teach what He taught.  They rejected His authority over their world view, which included His authority to amend their incorrect beliefs and practices. 

Today, there is in our culture a huge problem with the idea of authority.  No one, it seems, should have the right to assert what anyone else ought to do or not do.  Since truth has been relativized within our culture, the notion of authority - which is intrinsically linked with truth - has gone by the way.  Any concept of truth, we are told, can only be reached by consensus, that is, by mutual consent among those who hold no objection to what is being proposed.  What a dangerous position to hold!  How vulnerable this makes people to the fallacies of human judgment!

Remembering God

"...how often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved His heart in that dry wasteland.  Again and again they tested God's patience and provoked the Holy One of Israel.  They did not remember His power and how he rescued them from their enemies."

Psalm 78:40-43

The older I get, the more aware I become that I have an amazing ability to forget things.  Truly, I am a really good "forgetter."  (Just ask my wife!)  I don't think it's the early onset of Alzheimer's (although having walked with my dad through the dementia of his final years, that possibility has crossed my mind more than once).  The forgetfulness to which I refer is a condition which I believe is more common to all of us - it seems to be part of the human condition.  Perhaps you can relate.

I find I am especially forgetful when it comes to the things of God.

God has sustained me all of my years; He has provided for my family and for me in innumerable ways.  Yet the economy goes soft, and my response is to become anxious about the future.  Forgetting His undeniable goodness, I worry what will happen to us if the market crashes or the government goes bankrupt (as if it's not already).

I have committed a pretty good portion of God's word - the Bible - to memory, including the part which assures me that "a soft answer turns away wrath," and that "a fool always loses his temper, but a wise person holds it back."  Yet I am so quick to forget these truths in favor of lashing out when crossed by those closest to me, only to recall afterward that He observes and keeps track of all my sins: thoughts, words, and deeds.

There is a small comfort in the fact that my condition is not exclusive with me personally.  Psalm 78, and many other passages in the Bible, reveal that even those who lived with God's presence in the form of a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day - were also prone to forget Him.  Go figure!  They had seen God's work in drowning an entire army where they, themselves, had just walked through the middle of a sea on dry land.  They had seen Him produce water when they were thirsty, meat when they were hungry, bread from heaven for them to eat daily.  They had possession of stone tablets inscribed with rules for life by the very finger of God.  Yet they forgot.

No wonder God tells them - and us - over and over to "remember."  We are to remember His words, His character, and His works.  We are to pass them on to our children, teaching them carefully of God's mighty acts of provision - not just for Israel, but in our own experience as well.  The regular recounting of God's good works on our behalf provides protection against the inclination to forget, and we must never grow weary of repeating those accounts.

As a student of history, it occurs to me that the greatest task of the historian is not just to examine what happened  in the past, but to preserve the truth of what God did in the past.  Since He is at work in all things, historians can do a great service if they will glorify Him by reminding us all of God's hand in history
   - lest we forget!

 

Revealing God

The man was old but kindly, with a spark that shone in his eyes, now moist.  His tears were not evidence of grief; rather, they were tears of joy, as he looked down at the small bundle of life in his arms.  He had waited years for this moment, though he could not have known that what his eyes beheld, what his arms now enfolded, would be such a small package.  Yet in the depth of his being he was sure, he was certain - yes, this was indeed the fulfillment of God's promise to him that before his life on earth was over, he would have the privilege of personally seeing Israel's long-awaited deliverer:  the Messiah.

            Now as he tenderly cradled Mary's baby, his gratitude welled up, and words came forth, more profound than even his own joy could have expressed, words from the very heart of God:

"Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.  I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people.  He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!" (Luke 2:29-32 NLT).

            "A light to reveal God to the nations."  This is how the Holy Spirit, through Simeon's mouth and the pen of St. Luke, spoke of the second Person of the Triune God, now become flesh.  Jesus Himself would later say of those who became His followers:

"You are the light of the world…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:14,16 ESV).

            Jesus came to reveal God to all the peoples of the world.  He gave to His followers the same daunting task: to reveal God, to show to all the world what God looks like when He is manifest in human flesh.  What an amazing, even overwhelming daily challenge for those of us who claim to be His disciples!