“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” (Luke 23:46)
There is a wonderful relationship between the first and the last of Jesus’ seven words from the cross. From beginning to end, the Son of God continues to cling to the Father through everything.. Amidst the pervasive darkness, Jesus cries out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!”
The first meaning is the breath of life with which God creates the first man from dust (Genesis 2:7). The second meaning is the Spirit with which Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River (Luke 3:21-22). Jesus carries the Holy Spirit; God’s Spirit dwells in Him. The Spirit gives Him everything to accomplish His earthly task. Having done so, He returns the Holy Spirit to God.
This exclamation is an affirmation of the fellowship of Father and Son. For Jesus, death is the passageway to His Father’s House.
In His final conversation with His disciples, Jesus tells them that He is going ahead to prepare a place for them. That is true for whoever will believe His Name. This is how we view the future. With this perspective, you can live a relaxed life, rest at night, and fall asleep when you die. You will awaken after death in your Father’s House.
With His final word, Jesus entrusts Himself to the care of His Father. What an encouraging example of dying in faith!