Into Your Hands Father
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.
Luke 23:46 NIV
Society has rather odd views about one of the main facts of life—that sooner or later, we shall all depart from this world. Most of us avoid the matter of our demise like the plague. We tend to ignore it as long as possible.
When you consider that Jesus said the words of our text, it’s amazing on a number of levels.
He was the One who commanded Lazarus back to life in John 11:43-44, “When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.” (NIV)
He was the One who calmed the storm in Mark 4:39, “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (NIV)
He was the One who called all to “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.“ (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)
He was the One who read people’s thoughts, “But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?“ (Mark 2:6-8 NIV)
All the miracles Jesus did were instantaneous and permanent, so why did He have a need to commit His spirit to the Father? Because our spirits are only safe in the Father’s hands.
Jesus took the words from Psalm 31:5 and made it His motto for life. It reads, “Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.“ (NIV) If Jesus prayed like this, so much more ought we.
We can’t calm storms or awaken the dead, so it’s even more urgent that we follow His example. Don’t make the fatal oversight of others and ignore this prayer. Start repeating it today, and repeat it often.
“Let us cleave to Christ more closely, love Him more heartily, live to Him more thoroughly, copy Him more exactly, confess Him more boldly, follow Him more fully. Religion like this will always bring its own reward. Worldly people may laugh at it. Weak brethren may think it extreme. But it will wear well. At even time it will bring us light. In sickness it will bring us peace. In the world to come it will give us a crown of glory that fadeth not away.“ J.C. Ryle