“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

It’s not how they portray it on TV. Being with someone as they die is a humbling and, in many ways an isolating, experience. They don’t cry out some profound words with their last gasp. Their bodies just shut down and they quit breathing.

That is why Jesus’ death is so special, so unique. He didn’t just quit breathing, but He “gave up His spirit” into His Father’s hands. He knew His work (saving His people from their sins) was accomplished. He knew that sin had been atoned for (that we could now be at-one with God). He knew that the God who had forsaken Him on the cross because He had all our evil and wickedness placed upon Him, was once again His dear, loving Father.

Jesus’ death was unique in another way as well. His death destroyed the power of death. His conquest of death has now become our conquest of death. We do not need to fear it, as death is now the passageway through which we enter eternal life. Just as death could not hold Jesus captive, so it will not be able to hold those who are in Christ captive. Its power is broken. Its fear factor is destroyed. Life has conquered death. That is why today is GOOD FRIDAY.

Father, let no enemy cause me to tremble, not even death, for into Your hands I commend my spirit, Amen.