Luke 23:44-46

A NOTE ABOUT THIS WEEK’S DEVOTIONS

From the cross, Jesus uttered seven last words. For the next seven days, we will focus solely on these words.

Seventh Word: Luke 23:44-46

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last.

Just one thing more.

He is about to breath his last.

For a moment he is very still.

Some think he is dead.

But not yet.

Silence.

Uncomfortable, eery silence.

He moves.

He lifts his head, summoning his remaining strength.

And now he cries out,

“Father, into your hands I commend my Spirit.”

Let us pray: Almighty God, we ask you to look with mercy on your family, for whom our Lord Jesus was willing to be betrayed and given over to the hands of sinful men to suffer death on the Cross. Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace. Cleanse us from all our sins, so we may serve you with a quiet mind. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Final Reading of the Passion - Mark 15:39-47

Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!"

There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.