Monday of Holy Week

It is finished. Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.

 John 19:30 & Luke 23:46.

When Jesus had received the vinegar, He said with a loud voice: “It is finished” (John 19:30). Full atonement for the sins of the world had been made. The penalty of the world’s sin had been endured by Christ. The unalterable justice of God, which demands the punishment of the transgressor, had received full satisfaction: God was reconciled unto the world. The sin of the world was forgiven. The punishment all mankind deserved had been carried out on Jesus. God’s grace now offers forgiveness and salvation to all. Our Savior, our Substitute, had accomplished all this. Every sinner may and should now say in faith: “It is finished; all that was necessary to save me has been accomplished.” Just as the Savior is your Savior and your Substitute, so also this word shall be your word: “It is finished.” You have not accomplished your salvation, but He has accomplished it for you; yes, for you; hence you too may say: “It is finished.” This word of Jesus penetrated into the highest heaven. Let it also continue to penetrate into your poor, sinful heart. It saves you.

And, again, Jesus cried aloud to the Lord God: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit” (Luke 23:46). Since He had finished all, there no longer lay upon Him the sin, penalty, and curse of the world’s sin; God’s wrath had been replaced by fervent love; God no longer forsook Him, but held out His Fatherly hands toward Him. And so Jesus said: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” In this, too, Jesus is your Savior, your Substitute. All that is His is yours. This word, too, you may echo yourself. When your last hour comes, you, too, shall say right gladly and confidently: “Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.” – And having said this, Jesus bowed His head and gave up the ghost (Luke 23:46; John 19:30). His human soul now was in the hands of the Father, while His human body hung dead upon the cross. And, Christian, when you die, the grace of God in Christ will keep your soul and your body. This is most certainly true!

PRAYER. – My dear heavenly Father, who hast made Thy dear Son a Savior for me, a poor sinner, and didst set Him forth to be my Redeemer, continue to give to me, I implore Thee, Thy grace and a rich measure of Thy Holy Spirit, working through Thy Word, that, when my last hour shall come, I may not look upon myself, nor upon my unworthiness, but only upon my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who hath accomplished all things for me. And let me also, with full confidence, continue to commend my soul into Thy hands. And then, continue to keep my body and soul unto eternal life. Amen.

The last, as woe and sufferings end,

“O God, My Father, I commend

Into Thy hands My spirit.”

Be this, dear Lord, my dying wish;

O heavenly Father, hear it.

Hymn 177, 8.  [TLH]