October 14, 2016

LEAVE IT AT THE CROSS

Luke 23:44–56

Callie Peterson
Friday's Devo

October 14, 2016

Friday's Devo

October 14, 2016

Central Truth

Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice to take OUR sin upon Himself. By this act, He bridged the gap between us and God, the gap we created by giving into sin. Jesus took what was broken and restored it.

Key Verse | Luke 23:46

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. (Luke 23:46)

Luke 23:44–56

The Death of Jesus

44 It was now about the sixth hour, 1 23:44 That is, noon and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 2 23:44 That is, 3 p.m. 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!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Jesus Is Buried

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 3 23:54 Greek was dawning 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.

On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Footnotes

[1] 23:44 That is, noon
[2] 23:44 That is, 3 p.m.
[3] 23:54 Greek was dawning

Dive Deeper | Luke 23:44–56

In the key verse alone, I experienced a wide range of emotions. Jesus has been enduring crucifixion for SIX hours—that's just unimaginably painful to even think about. After suffering this long, He finally takes His last breath. At first glance, this makes me really upset. Jesus, who was without fault, has just died the death fit for evil criminals.

Crucifixion is excruciating, shameful, and the ultimate punishment. It's not logical for this to have happened to Him. But this was necessary. God made Jesus, who knew NO sin, to BE sin for our sake. He took the punishment that I deserved so I can be clean in God's eyes. Now I'm no longer upset, but assured by God's love and Jesus' humility.

Without Jesus' death on the cross, there would be no reconciliation between God and mankind today. First Timothy 2:5 tells us: "There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men and that man is Christ Jesus." Our sin makes it impossible to reach God, but Jesus' death bridges that gap between us. We can freely approach God and have a relationship with Him! Jesus went through all this mess because He knew it was the only way to save us from the consequence we deserve.

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" Jesus is saying to God, "I did it, it's over." TETELESTAI!—the Greek word for "It is finished." Because I believe wholeheartedly in Christ and His work on the cross, I no longer have to feel the pressure to be perfect or have looming anxieties about what is to come! Jesus DIED for my fears and anxieties! He has taken that unbearable burden of sin off me and nailed it on the cross. I can find HOPE in Jesus' death because of the wildness of the unwavering grace God has for us ALL!

Discussion Questions

1. When you read about Jesus' death, what is your initial feeling toward it?

2. Have you made the choice to be free from the harsh grip of sin?

3. What is something you have to continually remind yourself to leave at the cross?