18.04.25 Luke 23:44–49

18 April 

Prepare

Jesus, help me to pause and take in the weight of this moment. Open my heart to understand what You endured for love’s sake, and let it change me deeply.

Read – Luke 23:44-49

44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Reflect

The world goes dark. The earth trembles. And in the center of it all hangs the Son of God, willingly giving up His last breath. His final words are a prayer of surrender: “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.”

The tearing of the temple curtain signifies that everything has changed—the barrier between God and humanity has been removed. Access to the Father is now open, because Jesus gave everything.

Even a Roman centurion, likely hardened by violence and used to death, recognizes something divine in Jesus: “Surely this was a righteous man.” And those who loved Him? They watched in stunned silence, holding space for the sorrow and mystery of it all.

We often rush past the cross to get to the resurrection. But there is something sacred in lingering here for a moment. In the darkness. In the stillness. In the surrender.

Be

Jesus, let the weight of Your sacrifice still my heart. Help me to sit with the mystery of Your love—a love that went all the way to the cross for me.

Become

Shape me into someone who doesn’t turn away from suffering, but who learns to trust and surrender like You did. Let my life reflect the reality of the cross—humble, holy, and deeply aware of grace.

Do

Take a quiet moment today to sit in silence. Reflect on Jesus’ final words: “Into Your hands I commit my spirit.” Say them as a prayer of surrender for your own life—your plans, your fears, your future.

Consider writing a simple note of gratitude to Jesus, or journaling a prayer that expresses what the cross means to you personally.