Why the Cross?Sample

Why the Cross?

DAY 14 OF 22

I Commit My Spirit

As Jesus nears the end of His agony, we meditate on the sixth statement. "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (see Luke 23:44-49).

This cry was not the cry of defeat, but a cry of victory. It was not the cry of being conquered by death, but actually of conquering death. It was not a cry of a victim of circumstances, but One in control of His circumstances. As a commander would dismiss a servant from His presence, Jesus dismissed His own spirit, speaking the words of Psalm 31:5.

When the centurion at the Cross witnessed Jesus's victorious cry, the officer recognized the difference between Jesus and every other dying man he had seen. It was in this moment that he said, "Surely this was a righteous man."

Prayer: Lord, thank You for conquering death. Thank You for Your words which remind us that You were not a victim, but that You were the One in control. Amen.

Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth (Psalm 31:5).

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About this Plan

Why the Cross?

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18, NIV). The Cross of Christ is the central event of history, but it has also been a source of controversy and offense. In this stirring devotional series, Michael Youssef inspires our appreciation for the offending, redeeming, and very personal work Christ accomplished on the cross. These messages will ground believers in the basis of their faith while guiding unbelievers to a better understanding of the death of Christ on the cross.

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