"Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last." Luke 23:44-46. NKJV
Jesus had to go through tremendous suffering in order to fulfil His mission. It is hard to imagine the pain that He suffered some 2000 years ago. He was beaten and bruised and His beard was
pulled out. Anyone who has ever pulled just one hair out of their body, know the pain that it can cause. Here Jesus had clumps of hair pulled away. He was mocked and intimidated with a crown of long thorns forced onto His head. To add to this, nails, probably about nine inches long were forced into his hand and feet so that He would remain on the cross when it was lifted up. When it was raised, the force of it slipping into the hole may have jolted His bones and the wounds He had endured. But through all of this torment, He never retaliated or even spoke to the soldiers. Imagine that, all that pain and no retaliation to His enemies. I don't know if I could ever do that, what about you?
No He didn't retaliate. Instead, He asked His Father to forgive them for what they were doing. Wow! Now that is amazing, all that pain and suffering and He asked God to forgive them. He even forgave one of the criminals who was to be crucified along with Him, and assured him that he would be with Jesus in paradise that day (v43). And then He spoke to His Father in heaven 'Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit' (v46). He then died alone on that cross and He did it for you and I and for everyone who would believe in Him, accepting Him as their Lord and Saviour.
His believers were devastated and openly wept, not knowing what to do or where to go. They had been with Him for three years and now He was no longer. They soon realised what life is without Jesus in it. His companionship, His love, guidance and friendliness all gone. They were grieving like we do when a treasured love one dies. It's painful as you may know. The thing is, when we are hurting like this, it is difficult to focus on facts, we are so numb that we can't think straight. But Jesus had told them He would return, He had given them hope. But perhaps they hadn't really believed Him or had forgotten about this, who knows. But Jesus was true to His Word; that it would happen. There was a hope.
And because of Jesus, there is hope for you and I. He is true to His Word. He will never leave us. What He has said, will come about. There will be a Sunday in your life!
Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard.
If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:
Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.
In Jesus' Name. Amen'
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com
If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk
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