The parting words of Jesus were taken from Scripture. Psalm 31:5 says, "Into thine hand I commit my spirit." After the torment of betrayal by one of His own, after the anguish of denial by another of His own, after mockery and abuse, a crown of thorns and suffering, being forsaken by God, enduring the throes of death, His was nevertheless a peaceful death!
The measure of our affliction in life can never measure up to that of our Lord, yet just because He suffered more than we ever could have endured, we are bold to say "Lord, give us such a death as this."
As children of God we may be confident that, measured in terms of our relationship to God, ours will be a peaceful death. Our Savior has reconciled us to God. As we are reconciled to God through the death of Jesus, we have nothing to fear from God. No matter how violent our death may be, no matter how fierce the struggle may be between life and death, our heart can be at peace. Our Lord Jesus promised us, "whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Amidst all the noise and raucousness of our ungodly age, the believer in Jesus can join with the martyr Stephen (Acts 7), who said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit"; and with John Huss who, before He was burned at the stake, said, "But I commit my soul into Thy hands; Thou hast redeemed me, Lord Jesus, God of Truth"; and finally with Martin Luther who, lying on his death bed, said "I pass away; I yield up my spirit. Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit, Thou hast redeemed me, Lord, Thou faithful God."
Such a confession we may confidently make because our Lord Jesus, having fulfilled all for our salvation, commended Himself—and with Himself all His members—to the hands of the Father in Heaven. Blessed is the death of His saints. Their new morning dawns in heaven safe from every foe!
— From the Lutheran Spokesman
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