Number 7: Luke 23:46 "...Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit..." by Rev. CeCe Jackson
It’s all in His hands!
And 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 23:46 NKJ Version)
Such thought provoking words before Jesus left this earthly realm. For a moment, I paused and thought about what my last words might be, if after living a life that sought to do good and not evil, being dragged into a court on false charges, experiencing a public beating and then being nailed mercilessly to a cross! Whew…. What words would I utter at those or about those that stand there eagerly waiting for my death? Jesus gave me the answer to the question as he chose to not address those around him, but to the one that could hear and heal his pain. The original Greek translation of the word “Abba” or “father” denotes an intimacy with the person of which you are using the title. As Jesus’ mortal body feels the weight that comes with a failing flesh, he cries out to his Father knowing that his Father will answer Him. Can I digress for just a moment? Notice, when the roll is called of those who have assembled at the foot of the cross, there is never a mention of his mortal father being there in any of the gospels! I pray that this revelation by itself is encouraging to someone. Even if your mortal father is not in place, we have a heavenly Father. When we call, He is an ever present help! From what we have surmised to be one of the most painful experiences in the earthly realm both physically and psychologically, Jesus calls out to his Father. Jesus is calling Him with the love and intimacy that a son has for a caring and present father! Part of my answer was to focus on my heavenly Father, regardless of who is in the crowd, or how painful the situation. We, have a Father that knows and responds to the voice of his children!
Next part of the answer came when Jesus said “into your hands I commit my spirit”, such a powerful dying declaration! What I find interesting is that Jesus did not willingly commit himself back to his heavenly place, but because of his intimacy with his Father, He committed himself to His hand. There is power in the touch that comes from a hand! I read an article not too long ago about twins that had been born early to a mother. One of the twins was thriving, while the other was struggling to survive. The story goes that against hospital policy, the nurse placed the struggling twin next to its thriving sibling. Instinctively the thriving twin put its arm around its sibling, and through the restorative power of touch; the once struggling sibling began to thrive. Jesus recognized, and helps us to recognize, the restorative power that is found in the hand of our God, who can heal any hurt that we have experienced. In his Father’s hand Jesus knew there were security, safety, peace, love, healing and restoration! Everything that Jesus needed to be restored from his earthly visit, could be found in the restorative grace found in his father’s hand! My Grandmother often declares that she would not serve a God she couldn’t feel sometimes! The songwriter declared, he touched me and oh what joy that flooded my soul! I declare to you today that there is power in the touch. Even in that moment where Jesus’ humanity reached towards heaven, his mouth did what his pierced hands could not when he committed his spirit to his Father’s hand!
So the next time we find ourselves in the position of pain, which is found between our reality and our destiny, don’t get discouraged. When you find out that those who should be supporting you are really the ones with the whip ripping you to shreds from behind, do get dismayed! When people count you out and place bets on how long you can survive as a result of their foolishness, simply lift to your voice to heaven, and let your declaration be Abba Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. Knowing that everything you need, it’s all in His hands!