principalities and powers and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them (Col. 2:15). The second thing we notice is that our Lord directed this shout to the Father. The Gospels often speak of Jesus’ intimate relationship with His Heavenly Father. God Himself gives special witness to the Saviour saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The first recorded words from Jesus’ lips, when He was but 12 years of age, were: “Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49). Three of His statements from the cross He addressed to God. In both the first and last it is to God as Father. The third thing we want to notice is the fact that Christ’s final word involved the committal of His spirit. In one sense this constitutes a prayer, although not a petition or request, but rather an assertion. This statement is a prophetic quota tion from Psalm 31:5. When a mere man uses this verse, he should add the words which our Lord did not use, “Thou hast redeemed me, 0 Lord God of truth.” Christ could not apply this Scripture to Himself for He is Himself the Redeemer. More appropriate for the devout Christian would be the words uttered by Stephen as he was being stoned to death. He called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). The death of the Saviour was different from that which any other man ever has experienced. Our Lord had com plete control and was even in charge of this matter. Notice the word “com mend” which doesn’t suggest that Christ simply resigned himself to the inevitable. He wasn’t asking for a favor as though He might be rec ommending His spirit with a question of its being received. It meant that He was willing to entrust, commit, or deposit His spirit with God. It’s true that our Lord was betrayed and crucified by wicked hands. Yet, while 12
we’re unable to understand all that s involved, the same Scriptures reveal that no man could take Jesus’ life from Him. He had the power to lay it down as well as to take it up again. Here He exercises that pow er. What immediately followed is re corded in both Mark and Luke with one word rendered, “He gave up the ghost.” He expired; “He breathed out.” This was not an involuntary but rather a deliberate act. What took place is made even clearer by the accounts of Matthew and John. He “yielded up the ghost” meaning that He dismissed it, or sent it away. Literally, “He handed over His spirit to God.” What a crowning testimony to His sinless life as the Son of God became flesh and took upon Himself the penalty for our sins. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
Student government is an important area of leader ship developmentat Biola Colege. During the re cent election campaign, posters, banners, and spe ches were a part of the program. Chosen for next school year's president of the AssociatedStu dents is Todd Lewis (seated) and Randy Sykes, Vice President.
Made with FlippingBook HTML5