Daily Devotional Thursday 28th March 2024
by William Moody
Luke 23:44–49
The Death of Jesus
44 It was now about the sixth hour,1 and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,2 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 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. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
(ESV)
The darkness (v44-45) speaks of God’s judgment falling on Jesus for the sin of His people. This was the most horrendous thing that Jesus suffered, much more than the physical pain was this wrath of God being poured out on Him.
The result of Jesus enduring this wrath was the curtain that guarded the holy of holies in the temple was torn in two (v45). This speaks of how Jesus’ suffering was opening up the door to the holy of holies in heaven for His people to enter in.
Knowing the victory had been one, the price was paid in full, Jesus now gives up His spirit (v46). The Roman centurion who surely had seen many deaths on the cross never saw anyone die like Jesus (v47). Jesus died suffering, but He died in control and He died victorious.
Jesus friends gathered at the cross but they were still blind to what He had accomplished (v49). Are you rejoicing daily in what Jesus has accomplished at the cross?
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