If you’ve ever had to say goodbye to someone, you treasure the last words spoken. You remember what was said. You hold on to those final words. For Lent in 2021, we are focusing on the last words of Jesus from the cross. What did he say? What does it mean for us? How do those words change us? Today we focus on the word “trust.” Jesus called from the cross, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Lk. 23:46). What does it mean to trust someone? Why do we often hold back? How do we know God’s hands are trustworthy?
Invitation Prayer
O Lord, your scars are your trophies, proof of your unfailing love for me. You have earned my trust. I come to you in faith. I cease my worry and mistrust. I set aside all fears and faltering. I place my life into your hands. Receive me. Amen.
Confession
It is hard to trust someone with the most vulnerable parts of our lives. We hesitate to share our secrets, sins, and shame. David gives us a model to follow. He said in Psalm 31:14, “But in you I trust, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’” We can trust the One who sees our sin and still stays. So we approach God in faith: Father, I confess all my sins and failings to you. I am haunted by the guilt of my past, the sins of my present, and my fear of the future. Forgive me, God. I trust you. Amen.
Word
“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!” (Luke 23:46)
Meditation
This dying word from Jesus is a word of committal, a word of trust. How hard it is for us to yield our lives to someone else. Anytime we entrust ourselves to another, we risk getting hurt and leaving abandoned. I’m sure you’ve had a time when you trusted someone – really trusted them – and they failed you. You ended up embarrassed and defeated.
Jesus said to the Father, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” He didn’t say those words when it was easy. In a time of security when there was no risk. Jesus committed his spirit to God the Father at the most critical moment, when he had everything to lose. In doing so, he proved faithful and that the Father is faithful. This Lord is worthy of our trust. In the darkest night, he will not leave us. On the worst of days, his mercy will never cease. Here’s a question to ponder:
Will you trust God with everything? Will you trust him when you can lose everything? He already proved his hands are trustworthy. Reach. Place your hand into his.
Father, I release the grip I have on my life and resources. I open my hands to commit my whole life to you. Amen.
Sending Prayer
Into your hands, O Lord. We place our fears and failures.
Into your hands, O Lord. We place our present and future.
Into your hands, O Lord. We commit our bodies, souls, and all we have. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
*Today’s devotion is taken from It Is Finished by Jeff Cloeter, published by CTA – Christ to All at ctainc.com