Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 23:44-46
44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
44 By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. 45 The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. 46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
Commentary:
23:44–45 about the sixth hour … until the ninth hour. Noon until 3:00 p.m. (cf. Matt. 27:45; Mark 15:33). Often a sign of an eschatological event taking place, darkness represents lament (Amos 8:9–10) and divine judgment (Ex. 10:21–23). Here it is both literal (the sun’s light failed) and figurative (cf. Acts 2:20), probably signifying that Jesus was bearing God’s wrath for his people (cf. Joel 2:2; Amos 5:18, 20; Zeph. 1:15), and also expressive of God’s displeasure and judgment upon humanity for crucifying his Son. The darkness was not caused by a solar eclipse. the curtain of the temple was torn in two. The curtain leading from the Holy Place into the Most Holy Place. Torn in two signifies the removal of the separation between God and the people. An extended commentary on this event, and the heavenly reality that it symbolized, is found in Heb. 9:11–10:22; see especially Heb. 9:12, 24; 10:19–20.
23:46 I commit my spirit! Jesus’ own human spirit returned to the presence of God the Father (see v. 43 and note on John 19:30; also Ps. 31:5; Eccles. 12:7; Acts 7:59; 1 Pet. 4:19). having said this he breathed his last. Even in death, Jesus is still in control of things.
23:46 I commit my spirit! Jesus’ own human spirit returned to the presence of God the Father (see v. 43 and note on John 19:30; also Ps. 31:5; Eccles. 12:7; Acts 7:59; 1 Pet. 4:19). having said this he breathed his last. Even in death, Jesus is still in control of things.
Questions:
- Verse 45 we see that the veil in the Holy of Holies was torn down the middle, from top to bottom. The veil was a thick, heavy curtain in the temple that separated God's presence from the rest of the temple. It symbolized the barrier between God's holiness and a polluted human race. It being torn in two symbolizes that, because of Jesus' death on the cross, there is now nothing that stands between us and our Heavenly Father. We now have complete access to the God of the Universe. Think about how amazing that is. Do you think you ever take this unlimited access for granted?
- It really is an astonishing fact. God Himself WANTS us to come to Him, to approach His throne with boldness and tell Him what we need. He gives us an open invitation. So today, let's not take this privilege for granted. What is it that is weighing you down today? What is stressing you out? If you had confidence that God would not only HEAR your prayer, but ANSWER it, what would you pray for? Spend some extra time today talking with your Heavenly Father!
Pray:
- That you would never take your access to God for granted.
- That you would come boldly to His throne.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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