I am a preacher and a pastor. And it’s Easter Week. So here goes …
Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When He had said this, He breathed His last.
Vince Lombardi, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame football coach, was twice named NFL Coach of the Year. He coached his teams to six NFL championships and also won the first two Super Bowls. He was highly respected by his peers. So much so that the winner of the Super Bowl is given a trophy that bears his name – the Vince Lombardi Trophy
In 1970, Lombardi was diagnosed with an advanced malignant cancer. A few months later he was surrounded at his hospital bedside by family, friends, clergy and ex-players. Reportedly, on his deathbed, he told his priest that he was not afraid to die, but that he did regret that he didn’t accomplish more in his life.
To me, his last words are a significant thing. They represent the opportunity for the dying person to share what is really important in life, an opportunity to emphasize priorities. Renowned psychologist Erik Erikson taught his stage theory and in his last stage, it was always “Integrity vs. Despair.” He said, “During the integrity versus despair stage, people reflect back on the life they have lived and come away with a sense of fulfillment from a life well lived or a sense of regret and despair over a life misspent.”
The above scripture paints a picture of Jesus’ final day ending with his crucifixion. Jesus was betrayed by Judas, abandoned by His closest friends, arrested, unfairly tried, mocked, beaten, and whipped. He was then nailed to a cross, along with two sinners, one of whom mocked him even as he hung next to Jesus. What had Jesus done to deserve this?
His followers, his loved ones, could not understand what was happening. Jesus had a rich life helping the sick, the poor, the unloved. He stood up to the abusive religious rulers. Some followers had even begun to understand that this really was the Christ, the Messiah. But there He hung, seemingly helpless. What a sad end to a life that had so much promise.
Yet, what were His final words? Well, the ones I want to focus on are found in John 19:30 where, as Jesus dies, He shouted, “It is finished.”
Mary and the others who stood with her, as well as the other disciples who abandoned Jesus – all of them did not realize that Jesus was not just some unfortunate pawn whose plans and purposes had been thwarted. What had just transpired on the cross was actually a victory.
You see, Jesus came to earth for one reason only – to die. That’s why He had confidently cried out “It is finished.” He had just completed His Father’s plan to be the perfect sacrifice for all mankind for all time.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Easter is so important because the cross is so important. You see, had Jesus not died, we would have no future. But we do because three days after dying, He was alive again. Jesus had conquered death. Therefore, for all Christians (followers of Christ), death cannot stop us. We are heaven bound. I pray you are as well. You certainly can be.
If you don’t have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, this time of year would be the perfect time to do so. Invite Him in today.
Happy Easter everyone and …
Until next time, so long everybody.
***
‘Out of the Box’ with Dallas Huston is published each Monday morning at BrownwoodNews.com. Dallas was the radio voice of the Brownwood Lions and Howard Payne Yellow Jackets for more than 55 years. He currently is Pastor of Center City Baptist Church and hosts a Men’s Bible Study in Brownwood on Monday evenings. Your comments are welcome at [email protected].