Commit

The Seven Words of Jesus "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" Commit - Luke 23:44-47 March 29, 2026 I walk two miles every single day. Sometimes, I actually enjoy it. Other times, not so much. Years ago we decided to get these Apple Watches. One of the nice things about these is that you get to record your exercises, which allows me to ensure that I keep my pace while I'm walking. At least 4 times during my walk, I'll check the pace to be sure I meet my target, especially in that final stretch, I want to be sure I finish strong. Even though I usually finish strong, nothing will ever compare to how well Jesus finished with His final Word on the cross. This morning, we read His final Word from Luke 23:46. Before we get there, let's quickly recall where we've been in this journey through Jesus' final Words from the cross. We heard Him pray for those that nailed Him to the cross. We saw Him grant eternity in paradise to a nasty criminal. We saw Him ensure that Mary was looked after by John after His death. We saw Jesus "forsaken" so that we can have fellowship with God. We saw that Jesus suffered physically, and called out with thirst, so we don't have to. Last week, we saw that Jesus finished the work that He came here to do. This morning, we see His final Word. Will this "Word" be one of pain? Provision? Victory? Let's take a look and find out. Follow along as I read Luke 23, beginning at verse 44: 44 IT WAS NOW ABOUT THE SIXTH HOUR, AND THERE WAS DARKNESS OVER THE WHOLE LAND UNTIL THE NINTH HOUR, 45 WHILE THE SUN'S LIGHT FAILED. AND THE CURTAIN OF THE TEMPLE WAS TORN IN TWO. 46 THEN JESUS, CALLING OUT WITH A LOUD VOICE, SAID, "FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT!" AND HAVING SAID THIS HE BREATHED HIS LAST. 47 NOW WHEN THE CENTURION SAW WHAT HAD TAKEN PLACE, HE PRAISED GOD, SAYING, "CERTAINLY THIS MAN WAS INNOCENT!" Our "word" this morning is found in verse 46: "FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT!", but before we discuss this word in more detail, I want to share ... SOME OBSERVATIONS FROM VERSES 44-47: * First, The timing. (44) o We saw this several weeks ago, but verse 44 reminds us of how long Jesus suffered. Six hours. * Six hours Jesus hung on that cross. * Six hours of ridicule. * Six hours of humiliation. * Six hours of torment. * Six hours of pain. o It is important for us to reflect and remember the suffering of Jesus, one that ultimately led to victory. o We also see that it was dark for three of those hours. * Recall, also from several weeks ago, we concluded that there was no natural explanation for this darkness. * It was not an eclipse, as some have attempted to say, as those are not possible during a full moon, in which Passover had to occur. * This was a supernatural event. One that reminds us that God was in complete control. * Maybe also worth noting, there are first century historical and extra-biblical accounts that affirm that this event did indeed take place. o Next, * The curtain. (45) o Luke (as well as Matthew and Mark) records here that the curtain was torn from top to bottom. o To put this into perspective, the curtain was about 60ft tall, and it tore from top to bottom - this - as was the darkness was a supernatural event. o But, why? And what did it mean? * Wiersbe put it this way: "This miracle announced to the priests and the people that the way into God's presence was open for all who would come to him by faith through Jesus Christ (Heb. 9:1-10:25). No more do sinners need earthly temples, alters, sacrifices, or priests, for all had now been fulfilled in the finished work of the son of God." o The separation between God and man was torn in that very moment. o What's stopping you from connecting with God? o Next, let's briefly talk about ... * The Psalm. (46) o Just as Jesus did with His fourth word, Jesus quotes a Psalm. o More specifically, He quotes Psalm 31:5. o Psalm 31 was part lament and part thanksgiving. * In this psalm, the psalmist, David, cries out to God for deliverance, then expresses his loyalty, then cries out again for help as he pleads with God in his suffering, then he returns to his petition for deliverance, before he praises God for his faithfulness. o So, by Jesus quoting this verse from Psalm 31, He is showing His trust in God the Father, even in His death. o We'll come back to this shortly, but first one more thought on this passage. Let's not ignore ... * The centurion. (47) o Matthew's account gives us tiny bit more information when he records this in chapter 27:54: WHEN THE CENTURION AND THOSE WHO WERE WITH HIM, KEEPING WATCH OVER JESUS, SAW THE EARTHQUAKE AND WHAT TOOK PLACE, THEY WERE FILLED WITH AWE AND SAID, "TRULY THIS WAS THE SON OF GOD!" o This seems to imply that the centurion was present during the entirety of the crucifixion, if not even sooner. o So, these seven "words" that we've been discussing over the past 7 weeks, were heard by this centurion. o What was the result? He was moved. He confessed. o Think about that. Even in Jesus' death, two unlikely and undeserved souls were saved. The centurion, and the thief on the cross. o Guess what? In many ways, we are unlikely candidates, just like these two men. o That's the power that we see in the cross. o The power in Jesus' death. In many ways that is what we see with this final word from Jesus. Let me summarize that thought with our main idea: In His death and in His life, Jesus teaches me to trust God. Jesus not only showed us how to live, but He also showed us how to live. I think, by quoting Psalm 31, Jesus does this very thing. So, let's break this down a little further by discussing: HOW TO LIVE LIKE JESUS IN DEATH AND IN LIFE In this final word, there are at least three actions that we can take now, as we prepare for eternity. First: * I will continually call out to God. o The first Word in this final sentence was "Father" o This reminds us of the relational aspect of our faith, but more specifically, Jesus' relationship to His Father, the One who sent Him. o This is why He was able to call out to Him with such confidence, not just here, but with some of His other Words. o Even though we saw a moment ago where Jesus felt alone a few weeks ago, let's remember what we concluded. o The darkness - that was God. o The torn curtain - that was God. * This is why we can call out to God today. Just as Jesus did in that moment. o Even though Jesus was taking on the wrath of God because of our sin, He cried out to Him. o Not in desperation. o Not in defeat. o But in confidence. o And in certainty. o How can I say this? Well, I spent about 30 minutes talking about that last week. The work was complete. Paid in full. o Jesus reminds us here that we are also to follow His lead, calling out to the Father with confidence and certainty. o What else did this Word reveal about life and death? o Well, we can conclude that ... * I will trust God with the results. o Jesus, as we noted earlier, quoted Psalm 31. o The phrase "INTO YOUR HANDS" implies trust. o I don't think it is any coincidence that He calls God "Father" here. o Where did Jesus go in His most vulnerable time? His Father. o I read this gem this week: Jesus shows us that the safest place for our lives-and our deaths-is in the Father's hands. o Even today, Jesus is calling us to go to the Father. o This was a prayer. A declaration. He was placing Himself in His Father's hands. o I read somewhere too that hands represent control, care, and authority. That is where Jesus went. To the hands of the One who created it all. o Maybe to spiritualize this a little bit, what are you still holding on to that you should be trusting in the Father's hands? o Finally, Jesus shows us how to live and die, with this reminder and encouragement ... * I will wholly commit my life and death to God. o Jesus proclaims here that He was committing His spirit to the Lord. o First, the idea of commit here means to "entrust for safekeeping" * Who else can you trust with your life? * Jesus tells us clearly. * Only the Lord. * Again, taking this from a spiritual approach, are you "entrusting" every part of your life to the Lord for safekeeping? o Second noteworthy take away from Jesus' statement is the mention of "spirit. " * This word is speaking of life. * The literal meaning of "spirit" here is "breath," or life. * Yes, that same life that God breathed into Adam in Genesis 1. * Jesus - voluntarily - gave His life. * This was no ordinary statement. o In fact, it was a statement of confidence: * Here, Jesus reveals that He trusts the Father with His life. * Here, He reveals that He trusts the Father with His death. * And Jesus reveals that He trusts the Father with what comes next. Simply put, this final word from Jesus simply comes down to trusting the Father. This is why I said in our main idea earlier: In His death and in His life, Jesus teaches me to trust God. Being a Christian is more than a verbal confession - although it includes this. Being a Christian is more than "going to church" - although it includes this. Being a Christian is more than doing good works - although it includes this. Being a Christian is more than being loving towards others - although it includes this. Back in Acts 11 when we are first introduced to the word "Chrisitan," the context was less than a title, but a designation. They were actually mocking them, not complimenting them. The term effectively means "little Christ," and funny enough - although meant to be an insult, it is a very good term to show what it really means to be a "Christian." The true Christian is a disciple, or a follower of Jesus. And it is here, in His final Word before His earthly death, that we see that being His follower means that we trust God just as much as He did - in life and in death. Do you trust God, the Father? Let's pray. 2