Faithful till His Last Breath: Jesus (Luke 23:44-46)
Intro
Destruction of Jerusalem
3 phrases Jesus Cried Out Loud
The Gospels together reveal that under the cover of the remaining darkness, Jesus uttered three phrases: 1) the so-called cry of dereliction in which he quoted Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34), 2) the penultimate expression “It is finished” (Tetelestai) (John 19:30), and 3) Jesus’ very last word from the cross (recorded only here in Luke), “ ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’
Innocent Suffering Servant
The primary theme of the passion narrative is the fulfillment of Scripture, as Jesus the righteous and innocent Suffering Servant remains faithful to God’s purpose and calling. The central christological theme, repeated throughout the trial and crucifixion, is Jesus’ innocence. This theme confirms his identification as the righteous suffering servant of Isaiah 53
I. Reconciliation - Sulah
A. Wonders of the Curtain - The Judgment Had Begun
This curtain was the grandest of the thirteen curtains in the temple. It was woven with expensive yarns from Babylon in blue, white, red, and purple with representations of cherubim. Its function was to block all eyes from and forbid access to the Holy of Holies except once a year when the high priest entered with blood offered for himself and the sins of the people (cf. Hebrews 9:7). But now, in the darkened heart of the temple, this great curtain (as thick as a man’s hand) was slashed in two as if a great sword had sliced through it. This was a portentous omen of the coming destruction of the temple. The judgment had begun.
B. Joyous Sign of Spiritual Access
But even more, it was a joyous sign of spiritual access. With the curtain sundered, the Ark of the Covenant, the blood-covered mercy seat, and the cherubim were momentarily opened to the world. That afternoon, the way into God’s presence opened to all. The writer of Hebrews exults:
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. (Hebrews 10:19–22)
The gap between the pulpit and the congregation should be eradicated.
C. Darkness by Satan
There is Satanic darkness; Jesus encounters afresh the God of the temple through the split temple curtain and, as he dies, entrusts himself to God; and the centurion recognizes the rightness of Jesus’ cause.
When the sun should have been at the height of its powers, instead darkness descended. It was certainly not an eclipse; if a natural explanation is called for, then it is to the intense dust/sand storms of Palestine that we should look.
D. Supernatural Darkness
45. τοῦ ἡλ. ἐκλείποντος] [so אBC against T. R. καὶ ἐσκοτίσθη ὁ ἤλιος.] This was no eclipse—for the moon was full—but a supernatural darkness.
καταπέτασμα] the veil before the Holy of Holies; for the sanctuary veil was κάλυμμα. The signification of the ‘rending’ is the abolition of the Jewish temple and service.
μέσον] to be taken with ἐσχίσθη ‘was rent in twain’.
E. Model for Believers
Jesus, knowing that he had completed his departure/exodus (Luke 9:31), committed his spirit, i.e., his life, into his Father’s hands in order to enter into his glory (24:26). In so doing Jesus is a model for his followers (cf. Acts 7:59).
F. The Veil is removed
For Luke, I think, the best suggestion is that which sees this as opening up the temple as the place where God is to be found enthroned in the Holy of Holies, in much the way that heaven is opened up to Stephen in Acts 7:55–56.
II. Ransom - Fidya
A. The prophecy has come to pass.
where the psalmist entrusts himself to God in the context of life, Jesus entrusts himself to God in the face of death
B. Signature Prayer - Father in the beginning of prayer
It is a matter of Biblical and scholarly record that no one prayed this way until Jesus did so. The ascription of “Father” was revolutionary! “Father” framed Jesus’ public ministry. It was the signature of his soul from first to last.
1. Youth - Father’s house.
. It was the signature of his soul from first to last. It is the one recorded word of his youth: “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49).
2. Baptism - This is my Son
It was the implicit title of the One who called to him from Heaven at his baptism: “You are my Son, whom I love” (Luke 3:22).
3. Lord’s Prayer - My Father.
“Father” was the opening word of the prayer he taught his followers to pray (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2).
4. Father’s Will - Father If Your Will.
It was the word he used to accept the cross: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
5. On The Cross - Father Forgive them
It was the first word spoken from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34)
6. Last Prayer - Father I Entrust
Now it was part of the last statement before his death. “Father” was the sustaining lyric of Jesus’ life, and here at death it expressed his ineffable trust and peace at death.
Father, Son & Holy Spirit Have one essence (zahat) but three persons. Trinity
C. Modelism to Sabellianism
SABELLIANISM
A form of Unitarianism named after Sabellius, a third-century African bishop; the heresy of modalistic monarchianism. It is the view that God is not only one single essence but one single person. Thus, the names Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not personal names but modes or relations of the one divine person in His dealings with man. According to Sabellians, the term Father referred to this one divine person when His incomprehensible greatness and sovereignty were in view. Son referred to His revelation to men and His becoming incarnate. Holy Spirit referred to His operating immediately upon the creature in the works of creation, providence, or grace.
In modern times, Swedenborgianism* and some so-called “oneness” sects have adopted Sabellian views.
Jewish traditional night prayer.
I entrust my life to God.
Jesus entrusted His spirit to God that, He slept to bury the sins of whole world, as he raise from the grave, He’ll be enthroned on the right hand of God. Hallelujah.
Father, Son & Holy Spirit Have one essence (zahat) but three persons. Trinity
Jesus has two natures/essence and one Person.
III. Recognise - Pehchanana
Jesus’ last words form a fitting climax to the events that the centurion in charge has witnessed. The impact is profound. He is almost certainly not one who shares the Jewish faith, but it becomes clear to him that, in the deadly conflict between Jesus and the Jewish authorities who have handed him over to Roman justice, it is Jesus, and not these religious authorities, who stands in the right relationship to God. The presence of God with this man has been palpable!