It was the worst possible day in the history of the universe. The Creator Himself was being crushed by the work of His hands. Finally, “Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘”Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” Amid the horror and the celebration of hell, there was a sweet moment. That final prayer was the prayer Jesus learned from Joseph. When going to sleep each evening Joseph taught Jesus Psalm 31:5. Did Jesus remember? Was He comforted in that last moment by the memory of a strong carpenter cradling Him and saying, “Jesus, repeat after me. Father . . .” One could do much worse in life than to die with a small child’s prayer upon one’s lips. Surely the angels wept as they made the connection. They remembered.
The Sabbath that followed was silent. There were no anthems sung. There were no choirs celebrating the creation of their galaxy. There were no crowns thrown before the Father in praise. The universe was dressed in black. Every intelligent eye was focused on earth. The sun set and the Sabbath was over. One could feel the excitement in the air as Gabriel waited for the command. Sunday was coming. Dawn moved across Japan then China and then India. No one wanted to miss what was coming.
“Thy Father calls thee” had to be the most exciting four words ever spoken. He is the leader of the resurrection parade. Because of what happened next millions will hear that same command. Millions will live again. Millions will never again die. Millions will spend millennia telling and retelling the story that will never grow old. It is the greatest story ever told.
Written by Roger Bothwell on April 13, 2017
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org