Daily Devotion for April 13, 2006

To Jerusalem with the ComPassionate Christ
Day 44

 

The End

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.  Mark 15: 37

 

Even as the crowds were scanning the clouds above, Jesus gave out one last cry, and died. The reed and sponge were thrown down in disgust. He could not even live long enough for them to see Elijah…

 

Luke tells us what that last cry was (23:46). Jesus lifted His voice and exclaimed, "Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit." In the moment of death, Jesus reverted to the familiar ‘Father.’ The time for ‘My God, My God’ had passed. Jesus knew that it was all almost over, and that He had been found faithful. Despite the cutting agony of the Cross, and the fearful distress of bearing the consequences of sin, Jesus knew that He had won, and that it was almost over. Did He long for the cool solitude of the tomb?

 

Mark uses the archaic phrase, "He gave up the ghost" to describe Jesus’ passing. This has absolutely nothing to do with disembodied spirits and the paraphernalia of spiritualism. It simply means that Jesus died, and that His spirit left Him. The word ‘ghost’ has too many ugly connotations for us to employ it usefully today.

 

What is often overlooked is that Jesus did not die of crucifixion.  He willfully gave up His life, willfully handed His life over to His Father.  No one could take His life – this solely was an act of His will, the Fathers Will, an act of pure LOVE.

 

In a few stark words Mark tells us of the culmination of Jesus’ life story. Resigning His fate to His Father’s will Jesus calmly, and with grace, inclined His sacred head, and died. The throbbing brow ached no more. The rasping, labored breathing drew to a close. Bending beneath our sorrow’s load He received peace at last. May that peace be ours also; His sacrifice our only boast. All, all is finished now.

 

Prayer
Agape love, an act of the will and not of the emotions.  The love You have for me.  Thank you Jesus for willfully giving Your life so that I may have life.  Amen

 

There will be three devotions tomorrow for Good Friday. The first will be sent at 9:00 A.M. then Noon and 3:00 P.M.

 

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