A Journey to Easter - Day 45

Debbra Stephens
Apr 18
2 min read

And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last.

(Luke 23:46 CSB)

Jesus, counted among transgressors (Isaiah 53:12), hung between two thieves at His life’s end. At birth, He was surrounded by lowly shepherds. In life, He hung out with sinners. He was born, lived, and died among the impoverished. He truly was God With Us.

Consider the great paradox of it all. The lofty, those He also came to save, remained detached… distant. In the temple, on the royal throne, and on the judgment seat, places were traded. Skewed. Roles reversed. Perverted. Sinners sat in seats of honor, the Honorable Lord tarried with sinners. He died convicted, legally guilty—taking upon Himself the judgment of all our despicable sins.

It stabs the heart… stings the eyes.

After declaring, “It is finished,” Jesus laid down His life. He committed Himself to the charge of His Father—willingly placing His life into God’s providential hands. The final act of His passion was one of absolute trust and devotion.

The Servant of God—Servant of Man surrendered to death to faithfully serve both—knowing that He laid it down “only to take it up again” (John 10:17).

Peter would later explain that Jesus died so His people can live in His body, in relational righteousness with God (1 Peter 2:24). That mission was more valuable to Him than the temporal tent of His humanity.

All one can do is humbly give thanks and worship:

“Here is love, vast as the ocean,

lovingkindness as the flood:

when the Prince of Life, our Ransom,

shed for us His precious blood.

Who His love will not remember?

Who can cease to sing His praise?

He can never be forgotten

throughout heav'n's eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion

fountains opened deep and wide;

through the floodgates of God's mercy