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Conclusion

Assurance

Romans 8:38–39, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, Revelation 21:4, John 14:1–3

“Into your hands.”

Christ’s confident surrender to God shows that life continues after death, assuring us of salvation.

“It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 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 23:44–46

Moments before his final breath, Jesus quotes Psalm 31:5, a psalm Jews used as an evening prayer. Amid his anguish, he prays the hymn he may have first learned at home. And not in a whisper but in a loud voice.

At this stage of his crucifixion, simply taking a breath would have been torture. Yet, he exerts himself enough to speak in a loud voice. Why? Perhaps it wasn’t for him but for the people around him.

Perhaps it was for us.

In these final words, Jesus demonstrates a confident surrender to God and complete peace. He knew the story wasn’t over. As these words reverberate throughout history, they testify to all who hear, “Believe in me, and you can have this assurance in the face of death. You can know your eternity is secure.”

This week, as we’ve reflected on these words that Jesus spoke from the cross, we understand that he’s no longer on the cross. He’s sitting at the right hand of God in heaven, and he’s sent us his Holy Spirit, who, in our moments of doubt, whispers Jesus’ words back to us.

When we feel our sins can’t be forgiven, we hear, “Father, forgive them.”

When we feel alone and without family, we hear, “Woman, behold your son.”

When we feel like we’re not good enough, we hear, “It is finished.”

When our hearts are full of fear, we hear, “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.”

Our hearts burst out in praise, singing the words the blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby penned: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!”

REFLECTION

Reflect on a time when you had to trust God completely despite fear or uncertainty. How did that experience shape your faith?

APPLICATION

Take a walk in a peaceful setting, focusing on committing your fears and uncertainties into God’s hands. As you walk, recite Jesus’ words from the cross and let them resonate in your heart.

PRAY

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your Son’s ultimate sacrifice. As he breathed his last, he proclaimed his trust in you: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When we face trials and uncertainties, let those words be a source of strength and assurance.

We commit our lives into your hands. Help us to live each day with the confident surrender that Jesus demonstrated, trusting that you hold our future securely.

We find peace in your presence, knowing that our eternity is secure in you.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why The Cross

The cross is foundational to everything we do as disciples and ministers. If we want to remain faithful to the call God has given us as a global family of churches, we must continue to be Christ-centered.

Introduction

Isaiah 53:10–12, Matthew 5:43–45, Matthew 27:33–44, Acts 7:59–60

“Father, forgive them.” Christ’s forgiveness of his tormentors reveals God’s desire to extend forgiveness to all. “And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.” — Luke 23:33–34 Jesus hangs from the cross, looking upon the very people that he came to earth to save. The crowds are watching, the soldiers are gambling, the rulers are scoffing, and Jesus is dying. It’s a chaotic scene, yet at its heart, it’s about something incredibly pure—forgiveness. Jesus, amidst his suffering, looks down and says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The word “them” is a broad label. Who does it include? It includes the brutal and heartless soldiers throwing dice for his clothes, representing Roman power. It includes the mocking Jewish rulers who conspired against him and pushed for his execution. And it includes the crowds who, just hours before, called for his death. The actions of the Gentiles and Jews remind us that Jesus’ forgiveness spans wide, reaching those who are far from him and those who are close. “. . . for they know not what they do.” Can you recall when you said or did something sinful without knowing how damaging your behavior was? One scholar said, “Ignorance may diminish guilt, but does not remove it.” Christ’s forgiveness is not only limited to those present at his crucifixion. The prophet Isaiah tells us that Jesus was “despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). At the cross, “them” includes us. This is at the heart of Jesus’ words. He understands our sin-sick condition and intercedes on our behalf both in prayer and sacrifice, taking our punishment and offering himself as the only pathway back to God and reconciling us to the Father on the cross. The Methodist hymn “Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive” captures well the power of Christ’s forgiveness: “How can Your pardon reach and bless the unforgiving heart That broods on wrongs and will not let old bitterness depart? In blazing light Your cross reveals the truth we dimly knew: How trifling others’ debts to us; how great our debt to You!” REFLECTION Isaiah 53:3 describes Jesus as “despised and rejected by men.” How does Christ’s sacrificial forgiveness shape your response to being wronged or to those you may have wronged? APPLICATION Ask the Holy Spirit to show you someone you have unforgiveness toward. Determine how you will resolve that situation. PRAY Heavenly Father, We remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” We realize that “them” includes us and that our sins are part of why he suffered. Thank you for the wide-reaching forgiveness Jesus offers us. Open our eyes to see the harm our actions may cause and give us the grace to seek and offer forgiveness. We know the immense debt we owe you and how trivial our grievances against others are in comparison. In the light of the cross, we see the truth of our need for grace and the call to extend that grace to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Day 1

Mark 15:27–32, John 10:28–30, Romans 6:20–23, 1 John 5:11–13

“You will be with me in paradise.” Christ’s pardon of the repentant thief reveals his desire to extend eternal life to all. “One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him saying, ‘Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!’ But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’ And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” — Luke 23:39–43 Suspended between life and death, one criminal mocked Jesus. But Matthew tells us that at some time, both criminals mocked him (Matthew 27:44). Something must have changed the heart of the penitent thief. What miracle transformed his heart of stone? Maybe it was when he looked into Jesus’ eyes and heard him pray, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). The penitent thief saw the depth of his sin. “We are receiving the due reward of our deeds.” He recognized the sinlessness of the Savior. “This man has done nothing wrong.” And he confessed Jesus as Lord, showing he recognized Jesus as the ruler of a heavenly kingdom. The result was eternal life. “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Paradise is from a Persian word that symbolizes a place of beauty and delight. Amazing grace made a criminal immediately fit for paradise. God’s grace still does the same to every repentant sinner. In the words of hymnist William Cowper: “There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel’s veins. And sinners plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains. The dying thief rejoiced to see, That fountain in his day. And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away!” REFLECTION The thief confessed Jesus as Lord and recognized his kingdom. Reflect on your own confession of faith. How do you daily affirm Jesus as Lord in your life? What areas of your life do you need to surrender to his lordship? APPLICATION Meditate on Luke 23:39–43 and the additional readings (Mark 15:27–32; John 10:28–30; Romans 6:20–23; 1 John 5:11–13). After reading, pray, asking God to help you internalize the truth about repentance, grace, and eternal life. PRAY Heavenly Father, We are humbled by the repentant thief who found forgiveness in his last moments. We see ourselves as that thief and understand that we, too, deserve the consequences of our actions. And, like him, we look to Jesus and his mercy. We marvel at the grace that extended paradise to a repentant sinner, showing your desire to grant eternal life to all who turn to you. As the thief recognized your kingdom, we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Thank you for the forgiveness and new life that comes through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. His blood washes away all our guilty stains, making us fit for paradise. We find our hope in the promise of eternal life with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.