And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Luke 23:46

I have spoken about it before but, when I met my husband, I was a very independent woman. I was livid when I heard a sermon preached on the verse “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22 was preached! Submission, in my mind (and in the majority of the world’s view), denoted weakness and implied that I was, somehow, a lesser person. Now that I recognize how deeply and incredibly God values women, I understand that submission can actually be empowering and we can express that power through the act of submission.

The greatest example of powerful submission is that of our Savior.

Jesus prayed in the garden, indicating that He was putting aside His will and would submit to the Father’s. Despite the knowledge of what He was about to endure during His journey to the cross, He still submitted to the Father’s will and not His own. We could certainly question the “power” in that submission, however, when we look at our Savior before, during, and after the crucifixion, we cannot miss it!

The events in John 18:4-6 record when the soldiers entered the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus asked who they were looking for. “Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” John 18:4.

When He asked who they were looking for, He already knew the answer. They were looking for Him. Still, they responded, “Jesus of Nazareth.” John 18:5. When Jesus replied, it caused them to fall to the ground. “When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. John 18:6. He indicated that He was “Jesus of Nazareth”. He also indicated that He was God. “God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14. That one simple statement, revealed His deity (and power).

As the soldiers lie on the ground, Jesus asks again, “Who are you looking for?” When they respond once more that they are looking for Him, He asks that the disciples be set free. “So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” John 18:7-8.

Jesus stood firm in the face of the soldiers. The soldiers who were the very instruments intended to initiate His capture, torture, and walk to the cross. However, He knew that His strength was from His Father and that His Father’s will was to be accomplished.

Jesus did not shrink away when taken to Herod and Pilate. Instead, He boldly admitted who He was and to His deity.

And, as He hung on the cross, Jesus was mocked by one of the robbers crucified next to Him. Yet, He declared (in power), that the other would, indeed, be with Him in paradise. He had the power to forgive and to redeem and He did so while He hung on the cross.

When our crucified Savior spoke to Mary and John, He didn’t whisper as one with no strength left might. The scripture indicates that He exclaimed. Exclaimed with an exclamation point! It is impossible to exclaim weakly!  ²⁶ “When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” ²⁷ Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:26-27.

As Jesus died, we have often heard the term “He gave up” His spirit. Jesus did not relent, nor did He allow His Spirit to be taken from Him. Our Savior, as indicated in our main verse, “commended” His Spirit to the Father. The definition for “commended” is to “present for approval or acceptance”. He handed His Spirit over to the Father. He did not relent and allow it to be taken from Him.

In Matthew 27:45 & 49, as He died, we see that Jesus cried out in a “loud voice”. Anyone who has heard about what being crucified does to the body, understands that He should have been suffocating. Yet, He is capable on 2 occasions, with His dying breath, to cry out in a “loud voice” with power!

Something occurs, both noteworthy and powerful, as Jesus is offered a drink of vinegar. We could miss it if we are not careful. “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30. Jesus lowered His head, which means that He wasn’t lingering and almost lifeless. His life wasn’t slipping away or hanging by a thread. Until the very end, Jesus’ head was lifted up, just as the King of Kings should have been!

Now, did our Savior suffer? You bet He did! But I think that we often picture Him hanging on the cross, head bowed, His very life dissipating like a vapor. Jesus is so often depicted as this God man who, through the crucifixion, is weakened and has lost all strength to live. I am not saying that all that He endured didn’t take a toll on His human body. He was beaten beyond recognition! “As many were astonished at you— his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—” Isaiah 52:14.

But don’t you miss the power that our Savior displayed while He died! Remember, when He “gave up” His Spirit, He commended it! It did not slip away from Him. He presented it, willingly, to His Father in Heaven!

But the greatest exhibition of our Savior’s power is not in the crucifixion. It is in the resurrection.

Jesus was betrayed, suffered, and died. But, like the old hymn says, “Up from the grave He AROSE!”. On that cross, Jesus paid for our sin. And in that empty tomb, He secured our forgiveness and eternal lives! He defeated sin and death as only He could! Through His death and resurrection, we have VICTORY!

To quote another old hymn, “There is POWER in the name of Jesus”.

In closing, I usually pray for us and that we will be stronger, more bold, more glorifying, or even at peace. My prayer today is one that I hope you will lift up to our Savior, as well. It is this:

“Oh my Precious Savior, there are no words to express my gratitude for all that you endured on my behalf. Forgive me for my continued sin. Forgiven me when I do not honor and glorify you as you deserve. But, I do praise you that, because of the blood you shed, I will have all of eternity to proclaim your praise. We pray these things in your precious and holy name, Jesus. Amen.”

As we enter resurrection weekend, I implore you to take the time to honor Jesus. Tell your children and/or grandchildren about all that our Savior accomplished on that cross through His powerful submission.

If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outline there. All that Jesus endured, He endured for you as well. His life was not about condemnation (There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.Romans 8:1). His life is forgiveness and love (“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16). He loves you and wants to forgive you and spend eternity with you…please pray the prayer outlined there. What a great way to celebrate Jesus resurrection, by securing your own!

Once you have prayed that prayer, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer for and celebrate with you.

Luv Ya,