Luke 23:46 – The Death of Jesus
“Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.”
When Jesus dies on the cross; many people might interpret this as Jesus giving up. He’s over fighting to stay alive for these people who don’t seem to care that he lives or dies. But in my interpretation, it was his last act of unconditional love. In that moment, he understands that his job is complete and fully gives in to God. Jesus loves us so much that he is willing to give his life to save us from our sins. It’s not a wave of laziness or giving up that Jesus has; its understanding.
When I think of this verse, I think of us and this year in two different ways. One way is at the very beginning of this program we realized this year was going to be hard, but we said yes anyway. We wanted to give our whole person to this program, to our jobs and to our community. The other way I think about it is us right now; 8.5 ish months in and so much has been thrown our way that we’ve HAD to go with the flow and give our whole person to one situation or another even if we weren’t ready for it or didn’t want to do it. Our journey so far this year has been incredibly tough but we’ve totally given in to the higher powers that be to help us and guide us through community living as well as our jobs. We have commended our spirits to this program that is Amate and we are learning more and more about ourselves as well as the greater community.
Reflection Questions:
- When was a moment that you knew you had to “commend your spirit”? How did it change you?
- When was a moment this year that you truly understood someone? Yourself? At work? In community?
Closing Prayer:
Jesus, we cannot reason our way into understanding that which is by definition unreasonable— death, cruelty, injustice happen in our communities and across the world. Guard us from confusion, doubt and fear, we pray, and give us the faith we need to accept your mystery.
Amen
