WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.439 From Luke chapter 23, verse 46, then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, Father, 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:18.660 into your hands I commit my spirit. 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:26.640 Now, this seems like a pretty simple and natural thing to do. 00:00:26.640 --> 00:00:35.399 You're at the end of your life, and you've lived for God, and here you are at your last breath, 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:41.640 and you say, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. 00:00:42.820 --> 00:00:48.460 It seems pretty simple, and for me, I looked at it and figured this is the natural thing to do. 00:00:49.679 --> 00:00:55.840 You're about to go on to what we call the next life, to be with God, into his presence. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:02.740 And this is actually taken from a prayer that the Jewish people would pray, I believe, every day in the evening. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:04.680 It's taken from Psalm 31. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:08.480 So I will turn to Psalm 31 and read that for you. 00:01:08.480 --> 00:01:11.900 So the first five verses. 00:01:11.900 --> 00:01:12.900 Psalm 31, verse 46, then Jesus, calling out with a prayer. 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:15.540 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge. 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:18.660 Let me never be put to shame. 00:01:19.160 --> 00:01:20.820 In your righteousness, deliver me. 00:01:21.860 --> 00:01:23.140 Incline your ear to me. 00:01:23.660 --> 00:01:24.900 Rescue me speedily. 00:01:26.380 --> 00:01:30.320 Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. 00:01:31.240 --> 00:01:36.500 For you are my rock and my fortress, and for your name's sake, you lead me and guide me. 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:42.579 You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:45.879 Into your hand I commit my spirit. 00:01:46.540 --> 00:01:49.719 You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. 00:01:51.159 --> 00:01:54.980 Now this is a prayer that they would pray because they would be the people of God, 00:01:55.120 --> 00:01:58.319 and they would be the people who would follow God the best that they know how, 00:01:58.460 --> 00:02:02.780 and their prayer was as such because people would be persecuting them. 00:02:02.780 --> 00:02:06.439 And it's been throughout the course of history, people have persecuted the Jewish people. 00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:09.319 And now here how Jesus is on the cross. 00:02:09.539 --> 00:02:13.680 He came to his own people, and they did not accept him. 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:14.680 They did not receive him. 00:02:14.900 --> 00:02:16.840 And in fact, they crucified him. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:24.360 And Jesus is crying out to God as his refuge, as the God who is faithful, 00:02:24.539 --> 00:02:29.699 who will deliver him from his enemies, and he will restore him. 00:02:29.979 --> 00:02:31.300 And all these beautiful things. 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:35.880 And in looking at this, this kind of flavors this last statement that Jesus says, 00:02:36.640 --> 00:02:40.420 I commit my spirit into your hands. 00:02:40.760 --> 00:02:43.020 And I wonder why does Jesus say that? 00:02:43.620 --> 00:02:48.160 Jesus, who was called the Son of God in his baptism in Luke chapter 3, 00:02:48.720 --> 00:02:52.939 everyone heard the voice of God so audibly when God said, 00:02:53.300 --> 00:02:55.400 this is my Son with whom I am well pleased. 00:02:55.400 --> 00:03:01.580 And Jesus, who his food was doing the will of God, 00:03:02.200 --> 00:03:04.379 and doing the will of God led him to this cross, 00:03:04.460 --> 00:03:07.219 this cross that brought much shame, 00:03:07.280 --> 00:03:13.099 where he was hung there completely naked with nails through his feet, 00:03:13.159 --> 00:03:13.960 through his hands. 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:20.099 Throughout his ministry, he was showing to the people that he was the Son of God, 00:03:20.099 --> 00:03:20.719 the Messiah. 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:23.139 And there he was crucified. 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:28.419 And just lived through utter shame. 00:03:28.419 --> 00:03:36.839 And he is calling out to God and giving his spirit into this Father who, 00:03:37.539 --> 00:03:40.399 in his sovereignty, allowed this to happen. 00:03:41.060 --> 00:03:45.139 I remember once when I was in high school, I went skiing out for the first time. 00:03:45.560 --> 00:03:48.859 And it was the last time I skied. 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:49.979 And I'll tell you why. 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:53.699 I was just following some friends. 00:03:53.780 --> 00:03:55.959 And one of my good friends that I trusted at the time, 00:03:56.459 --> 00:04:00.179 he was a professional skier. 00:04:00.199 --> 00:04:01.519 He was very young, but he was very talented. 00:04:01.879 --> 00:04:05.280 And we were at the top of this black diamond ski hill. 00:04:05.359 --> 00:04:07.699 And I asked him, do you think I can do this? 00:04:08.120 --> 00:04:09.939 And he said, of course, this is easy. 00:04:10.679 --> 00:04:12.599 And so I went down. 00:04:13.539 --> 00:04:16.899 And that was my first time, I'm reminding you. 00:04:16.899 --> 00:04:19.259 I was down the whole hill. 00:04:19.379 --> 00:04:22.139 My skis were just pointed because that was the only thing I knew what to do. 00:04:23.259 --> 00:04:26.139 And I just went really, really fast. 00:04:26.519 --> 00:04:27.199 Almost died. 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:28.459 Almost brought a few people with me. 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:31.819 And my trust in this friend was completely severed. 00:04:32.359 --> 00:04:34.179 I did not trust him anymore. 00:04:34.899 --> 00:04:39.079 And looking at this text and looking at the story of Jesus going through this passion 00:04:39.079 --> 00:04:40.659 and going to the cross, 00:04:40.660 --> 00:04:44.439 I wonder how did he, in his very last words, 00:04:44.960 --> 00:04:49.780 give his spirit to God who allowed him to go through this. 00:04:51.020 --> 00:04:54.860 I think as Lisa read just earlier in Hebrews, 00:04:54.980 --> 00:04:57.620 we see that the joy that was set before Jesus, 00:04:58.160 --> 00:05:01.640 that was one of the things that led him to bear the cross 00:05:01.640 --> 00:05:03.520 and bear the pain and the suffering. 00:05:04.020 --> 00:05:07.480 And even the separation, as we see in Luke 23, 00:05:07.480 --> 00:05:09.540 in this very same context, 00:05:09.640 --> 00:05:12.300 we see that the sun, the light of the sun was completely stopped 00:05:12.300 --> 00:05:15.480 and there was darkness over the land for three hours. 00:05:17.080 --> 00:05:21.520 And now we see that Jesus, who is the light of the world, 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:23.600 is separated from God. 00:05:23.660 --> 00:05:25.220 And he even asks the question, 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:26.340 why have you forsaken me? 00:05:27.720 --> 00:05:28.780 And yet his last statement 00:05:28.780 --> 00:05:31.960 is that he gives his spirit into God's hands. 00:05:31.959 --> 00:05:37.219 So Jesus, right before he said this statement, 00:05:37.479 --> 00:05:38.799 the veil was torn. 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:40.919 And this reveals two things to us, 00:05:40.979 --> 00:05:43.479 that Jesus, his identity and his mission, 00:05:43.599 --> 00:05:46.680 his identity that Jesus was the Lamb of God 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:50.339 who was to come to save the people from their sins. 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:52.399 And his mission was to be the priest, 00:05:52.719 --> 00:05:54.539 the priest that would intercede between the people, 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:58.479 mankind who is so sinful and separated from God. 00:05:58.480 --> 00:06:00.620 And he would bring these people 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:03.759 and usher them into the kingdom of God. 00:06:04.220 --> 00:06:05.340 And by separating this veil, 00:06:05.460 --> 00:06:06.780 he made the way for the people. 00:06:08.460 --> 00:06:10.620 And this is one of the things 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:14.280 that really led Jesus to endure the pain 00:06:14.280 --> 00:06:15.660 and the suffering on the cross. 00:06:17.680 --> 00:06:21.480 And that also that with his priestly ministry, 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:22.879 that he would offer sacrifice. 00:06:22.960 --> 00:06:24.439 And this sacrifice was himself. 00:06:24.439 --> 00:06:28.300 And Jesus dying on the cross 00:06:28.300 --> 00:06:30.420 was not the end of this story. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:35.139 In fact, let me read to you the words 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:37.220 in Philippians chapter 2, 00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:40.620 starting at verse 5, 00:06:41.939 --> 00:06:43.459 or 6 rather. 00:06:43.819 --> 00:06:45.279 Who though he was in the form of God, 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:46.939 did not count equality with God, 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:48.120 a thing to be grasped, 00:06:48.459 --> 00:06:51.279 but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, 00:06:51.879 --> 00:06:53.659 being born in the likeness of men, 00:06:53.660 --> 00:06:55.620 and being found in human form, 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:58.300 he humbled himself by becoming obedient 00:06:58.300 --> 00:06:59.580 to the point of death, 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:01.200 even death on a cross. 00:07:02.080 --> 00:07:03.960 Therefore God has exalted him 00:07:03.960 --> 00:07:05.660 and bestowed on him the name 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:06.880 that is above every name, 00:07:07.360 --> 00:07:08.920 so that at the name of Jesus 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:10.140 every knee should bow, 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:11.940 in heaven and on earth 00:07:11.940 --> 00:07:13.180 and under the earth, 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:14.760 and every tongue confess 00:07:14.760 --> 00:07:16.980 that Jesus Christ is Lord 00:07:16.980 --> 00:07:19.060 to the glory of God the Father. 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:22.600 Now this is a beautiful statement, 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:24.040 and it kind of leads us 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:26.280 from this statement that Jesus says 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:28.399 that into the hands of his Father 00:07:28.399 --> 00:07:30.959 he commits his spirit, 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:32.660 his person, 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:34.780 so that he trusts God 00:07:34.780 --> 00:07:36.439 to the point where God 00:07:36.439 --> 00:07:38.399 exalts him to be 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:39.959 the king that is above 00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:41.879 every other king on earth, 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:42.819 the Lord of lords, 00:07:43.240 --> 00:07:44.519 and now the name that is above 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:45.180 every name. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:48.259 And this is the invitation 00:07:48.259 --> 00:07:49.040 of Jesus today. 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:50.240 If you don't know Jesus, 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:55.879 he is one who trusted God the Father 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:58.420 so much as to go through the suffering, 00:07:58.480 --> 00:07:59.500 and maybe you are going through 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:00.319 suffering and pain, 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:02.439 and Jesus endured it 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:05.379 so that you can know the Father 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:06.120 like he did, 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:07.360 know him so well 00:08:07.360 --> 00:08:08.420 that even in the midst 00:08:08.420 --> 00:08:09.160 of his suffering, 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:11.439 that God is still God, 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:12.220 still enthroned, 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:14.620 and that he has a purpose for it, 00:08:14.620 --> 00:08:16.360 and that his purpose for Jesus 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:17.899 at that time was to be glorified, 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:19.939 and for us is that we may know Jesus 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:20.959 and that we may know God 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:21.860 through Jesus, 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:24.259 who is now the name above all names. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:25.699 And that was true then 00:08:25.699 --> 00:08:26.620 and is true today, 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:27.860 and it will be true forever. 00:08:30.259 --> 00:08:31.579 I invite you to stand 00:08:31.579 --> 00:08:34.740 as a minute of silence for this word. 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:43.279 Father, every morning when we wake, 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:46.539 we ask that you would help us 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:47.720 to commit ourselves 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:49.179 into your hands for that day. 00:08:51.100 --> 00:08:52.839 Father, as we lay ourselves 00:08:52.839 --> 00:08:54.019 down at night to sleep, 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:56.259 we ask that you would help us 00:08:56.259 --> 00:08:58.419 to commit ourselves 00:08:58.419 --> 00:08:59.360 into your hands. 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:02.360 As we do simple 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:03.799 or difficult things 00:09:03.799 --> 00:09:04.480 throughout the day, 00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:06.459 help us, Father, 00:09:06.620 --> 00:09:08.419 to remember Jesus 00:09:08.419 --> 00:09:10.039 and commit ourselves 00:09:10.039 --> 00:09:10.899 into your hands. 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:14.459 At the hour of our death, 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:16.839 deliver us from fear. 00:09:18.439 --> 00:09:20.120 Make us disciples of Jesus 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:22.079 who are gripped by the gospel, 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.199 living for your glory, 00:09:23.740 --> 00:09:25.399 and help us, Father, 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:26.959 to commit ourselves 00:09:26.959 --> 00:09:28.740 into your hands. 00:09:30.319 --> 00:09:32.139 This we ask in the name of Jesus, 00:09:32.299 --> 00:09:33.480 your Son and our Savior. 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:33.680 Here.