Jesus Final Words

 

Click Here: Read Luke 23

“It is finished” – John 19:30
“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


His first words (recorded in the Bible) were in Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?””  He knew from the earliest age that He was here to fulfill the plans of His Father in heaven.  Now, 32 years later the time had come when he had completed his purpose on this earth, to be the shepherd of mankind, to lead them to His Father; he was ready to accept death.  Hanging on the cross for over 6 hours now, the flesh of his beaten body gives way to the rise of His soul.  He had taken on the sins of mankind and the sacrifice was now complete. 

Christ’s final words from the cross reflect the redemptive action that was required of the sacrifice.  In this statement, Jesus calls out to God as “Father” and rightfully claims the transition from humanity back to his place at God’s side.  In Jewish custom, the Passover required that the spotless perfect lamb be sacrificed and handed over to the priest for the payment, the redemption of the sins of a family for that year.  Along these lines, Jesus hands over his spirit, that of the spotless perfect lamb of God, to his Father in heaven as the final payment for the sins of mankind.  His flesh was beaten, bruised and disfigured, yet his soul was pure, blameless and sufficient for the redemption of All mankind.  Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 2:5-6 : “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” 

In his final words, Jesus connects himself with King David statement in Psalm 31:5: “Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.”  His truths are throughout the bible, not just the New Testament.  With this statement he fulfilled the prophecy from Isaiah 53:10: “..when you shall make his soul an offering for sin..”  He was there at the beginning, at the creation of the world, with God in all of His splendor.  His words are upon the lips of the prophets and the saints throughout the Old Testament, and then throughout his life on this earth, his words were upon the disciples and apostles throughout the New Testament. 

At the completion of his final words from the cross the earth shook, Satan laughed victoriously and the Savior’s body fell limp on the cross.  I envision that his declarations of defeating Jesus Christ, the Messiah, rang through the halls of Hades.  But, he would soon realize that the grave could not hold this Son of God.  His flesh had died, but His soul had fulfilled God’s perfect plan for redemption.  At the last breath of Christ, the curtain (veil) that hung in the temple separating the Holy of Holies from all mankind was ripped from the top to the bottom.  God removed the separation that had been created between Himself and mankind, and brought forth the New Covenant with mankind.  The Blood Covenant of Jesus Christ, that whosoever shall believe in Him as Savior and Lord will receive eternal life.  As Jesus breathed His last on the cross, the grace of the Lord took over forever more.  We are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and the faith of His testimony.  Thank you Jesus for suffering and dying so that we might have life and life abundantly.

As you draw near to your Christmas celebration it is important to remember and celebrate His birth, but it is even more important to remember and celebrate His death and resurrection.  He came as the propitiation for your sins, and it was upon His shedding of blood that we are able to find salvation and repentance for our iniquities.  His gift to you was eternal life, your action is to accept this gift, within your own free will.  Won’t you consider the cost of what He gave up for you as you celebrate His birth this Christmas?
 

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