The Death of Jesus

Luke 23:44-49 [...and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "FATHER, INTO THY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." And having said this, He breathed His last.]

Introduction

THERE IS A MYSTERY that is always a part of coming in contact with the reality of Jesus Christ. Nowhere is that mystery any more electric and powerful than in the death He died for us on the cross. It is there that God destroyed the works of Satan, death was defeated, tragedy was turned inside out. We always must approach the cross reverently and in the awe of wonder.

THERE IS PARADOX in this death Jesus died for us: just a little while ago we heard Him say, "My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me?" Now here are words of trust and commitment and confidence.

I do not try to "explain" the mysteries of faith. But in part we can see and try to understand that Jesus, the Paschal Lamb, bore our sins alone, and as the Sin Bearer He experienced that horror of isolation from the Father which is the very essence of hell itself.

But now, here in this word from the cross, His work finished, JESUS IS SHOWING US HOW TO DIE. He is dying exactly in the spirit and manner in which He lived.

I. DEATH, THE LAST ENEMY

1 Corinthians 15:25 "..the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death..."

Death is a very real part of the human experience. But we do not like to think about death as a reality. We think superficially when we must think about it. We dress up our dead and say how healthy they look. We simply find it hard to bear the thought of the finality of mortal relationships as we now know them, of the separation, and of the struggle with what the scriptures call 'the final enemy.'

I DO NOT TRUST SO-CALLED 'NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES.' We dare not expand our Bible to accommodate either optimistic or pessimistic 'revelations' that in any way contradict what the Bible teaches us of this mysterious journey which one day we all must take.

In ages past the 'near death experiences' that were reported seemed to be horror-filled, frightening. Now in the "Kubler-Ross" era, they are almost universally warm and glowing— and the message to atheist and believer alike is: "There is nothing to fear!"

THERE IS SOMETHING TO FEAR. There is the unknown. Perhaps I am not a normal Christian. But I believe there is something to fear in death. [If I were going to take a trip to Moscow tomorrow, with all expenses paid, and all possible needs cared for, I would still be somewhat apprehensive simply because of the "unknown factor." I know that my guide would be with me; and I know that all bills are paid. But I have never been to Moscow before, and I'm a bit frightened.]

BUT CHRISTIANS HAVE A GUIDE and a Companion in life and in death. Jesus has removed the bitter sting of death.

II. WE MAY TRUST AND FOLLOW JESUS IN LIFE AND IN DEATH

If we cannot trust human testimony about death, what and whom may we trust?

WE CAN TRUST GOD'S WORD. The unlikely source of a word of wisdom here is the tragic prophet Balaam, who said, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."

WE SHALL DIE AS WE HAVE LIVED. It was John Wesley who said, "Our people die well!" There are such things as near-death conversions. But it is a risky business to presume to live life in one way, and then, just before the end of life, to swerve, to change direction, and thus avoid the precipice.

SUPREME AMONG THE EXAMPLES, beyond comparison, is the life and death of our Lord. Jesus died as He lived! HOW DID JESUS LIVE? [Three observations:]

  1. JESUS LIVED OPENLY BEFORE GOD.

    Thus when He came to die, His life was an open book to the Father. There were no hidden areas; no reservations in his agenda for life.

    Jesus was limited with the limitations that He Himself as God had self-imposed on His incarnation: limitations of physical strength, of being subject to His human parents, of experiencing temptation in all points even as we are tempted. Paul tells us (Philippians 2:5-11) that Jesus poured Himself out. But within these limitations there was no holding back whatsoever.

    IS IT POSSIBLE for other, imperfect, sinful human beings to live perfectly openly before the heavenly Father?

    It is hard to 'open up' what we do not even see or understand ourselves. We pray David's prayer (Psalm 139) of willingness to be searched and known.

    Perhaps we cannot be as open as Jesus was before God. But by God's grace we can be as open as we can be! No secrets! For when we are open before God we are forgiven and cleansed of guilt, and of the power of sin to condemn us.

  2. JESUS LIVED OBEDIENTLY BEFORE GOD.

    It is almost a corollary of openness with God to be obedient. And Jesus did not shrink back from the will of the Father. He said an everlasting "YES!" to the will of God. And even when it meant suffering and shame Jesus prayed: "Not My will, but Thine be done!"

    IS IT POSSIBLE for imperfect and sinful human beings to live perfectly obediently before God?

    Before we lightly dismiss this, and say "Of course we can't!" we need to at least consider the question. Of course we can never give perfect service, and follow God's will without error or flaw. But we may by God's grace say an everlasting "YES!" to the will of God, and deliberately surrender our will to God's will. Paul challenges us (Romans 12:1,2) to make our redeemed beings living sacrifices of obedience to God's good and perfect will!

    [The obedience of Jesus had brought Him to the cross. There He had faced history's darkest hour- alone. He had lost all sense of support, spiritual and emotional. But He had been obedient. And so having obeyed, in the moment of death, Jesus died as He had lived, committed to the Father.]

  3. JESUS LIVED AN OVERCOMING LIFE.

    He was more fruitful than any other Person who ever lived.

    IS IT POSSIBLE for you and me to be fruitful, too? Not as He was! But yes, we CAN be fruitful! Our lives can make a difference! Conclusion: We die as we live.

    YOU AND I WILL DIE AS WE HAVE LIVED!

Jesus has shown us how to die: because Jesus has shown us how to LIVE! We must, by God's grace, seek to Live like Jesus; or, better said, we must let Jesus live IN and THROUGH us.

And then when that transition time comes which we see as death, we will once again experience the electricity of the miracle of Jesus' Presence! This is what the generations past called "Dying grace!" It is real! Angels bend low, and heaven is very near when God's people come to die! We will dare to say, like Jesus: "Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit!"

Prayer