Devotional: Our Last Words Luke 23:44-49

“And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last” (Lk 23:46, NASB).

The video cameras records what is taking place. The whole world will see it. This time there can be no debate. This time the policeman cannot complain that he fears for his life. The cameras record what is taking place; even the words that are spoken. He says, “I can’t breathe.” The police officer puts his knee on the young man’s neck, holing it in place for eight minutes and forty-six seconds. The video’s show that two other officers put their knee on the man’s back while a third officer watches out to see what others are doing. You can hear the people saying to the officer. He says he can’t breathe; you are going to kill him.

He calls to his mother. This stirs the hearts of many; especially mothers. Yes, mothers of all races and religions are awe struck when they hear George Floyd calling for his mother as he breathes his last. There is no greater bond between two people than that of a child and their mother. Being a mother trumps being a wife, a teacher, a lawyer; even a nurse or a doctor. This bond is uniquely formed over the course of nine months when no other person is involved in their life together.

Jesus hangs on the cross. He is ridiculed, mocked the scriptures say. The people see the soldiers nail His hands and His feet to the cross. They see them pierce His side. They see the blood flowing from His body. They are powerless to help Him.

The man speaks to His Father. He speaks to the One that He is bond to. He knows that His life is coming to an end. He says, “It is finished.” His dying last words are to His Father. “Father into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Then it is over. He breathes His last.

His last words to His Father cause people of all races, all colors, all ethnicities, all genders, to responds. All around the world people from every nation, every tribe, and every tongue respond to His declaration that God is His Father. His death draws people to the Father. There is hope for change. There is hope for the beginning of a new day. There is hope for reconciliation.

He cries to His Father. What will be your last words? Who will your last words be addressed to? Jesus’ last words are to His Father. He is dead, but three days later He is raised from the dead to live forever more. If Your last words are to God, you too will rise again to live throughout eternity.

Prayer: We give our life to You with full assurance that in Your hands we are safe and saved forever. Amen.