Luke 23:46
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
Jesus’ final cry, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” echoes Psalms and expresses trust in the Father at the moment of death. This moment reveals Jesus’ complete surrender to the Father’s will, even in the face of death. It also provides a model for believers: entrust your life and its end to God.
The statement affirms Jesus’ humanity and obedience, as well as his divine trust. It underscores the Triune God’s sovereignty and the believer’s call to depend on God completely, even in the most vulnerable moments. The act of “giving up the ghost” is not a tragic accident but a conscious, faithful act, completed for our salvation.
In everyday life, this teaches the virtue of surrender: letting go of anxiety and control, entrusting outcomes to God. It can inspire prayerful determination in trials—trauma, illness, loss—by choosing to lean into God’s hands rather than relying on our own strength. Consider practical steps: journaling doubts to God, seeking trusted counsel, and choosing peaceful, patient responses when life feels out of control.
Cross-References: Psalm 31:5; Acts 7:59; 2 Corinthians 5:4