After many hours of suffering and approaching the last moments of his earthly life, he committed everything to his Father. As he did before, he once again addressed him as his Father. These words were some of the last that he spoke as he faced death, and they convey absolute certainty about his relationship with his Father and the assurance that he would be with Him after dying. Jesus offers this same assurance to all who trust in him.

I have been with people as they pass, and those who have put their faith in Jesus have an absolute assurance of their salvation and future well-being with the Lord. I have also read the last recorded words of people who have died directly because of their faith, and even in the face of death, they have had peace. And I have been with people who have had no faith and felt sad for them as they have passed with no peace. In contrast, those who trust in the Lord have a great expectation that they will see him and be with him. 

The words uttered by Jesus on the cross come directly from Psalm 31:5 – “Into your hands I commit my spirit, you have redeemed me, oh Lord God of truth”. Jesus submitted himself to death in order to defeat it and rise again. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He overcame death and gives all who trust him the assurance of eternal life.

When he stood by the grave of Lazarus, he declared, “I am the Resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25. There is no one else in the whole of history who can do this; Christ alone has conquered death.

Psalm 69 is a psalm directly about Jesus, who he is and what he did. It describes in detail his sufferings and his unwavering steadfast faith in the goodness and mercy of God even in the midst of great adversity. It is worth reading and meditating on the words of this psalm. 

Death holds no fear for the believer. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57. 

Join us as we finish our journey – The Seven Sayings of Jesus from the Cross:

Episode Seven – “It is finished!”