Father, Into Your Hands I Commend My Spirit
March 25, 2005 - Luke 23:44-49
Open It
What experiences have caused you to be amazed?
What is the most you've ever sacrificed for someone else?
Who are some people you considered unapproachable at one point or another in your life? Why?
Explore It
When did the events of this story take place? (23:44)
What unusual natural occurrence took place and what did it signify? (23:44-45)
What happened to the curtain in the temple? (23:45)
What did the tearing of the temple curtain signify? (23:45)
Why did Jesus call out from the cross? (23:46)
What was significant about Jesus' words on the cross? (23:46)
What occurred after Jesus called out to the Father? (23:46)
How did the centurion in charge of the crucifixion react to Jesus' death? (23:47)
What motivated the centurion to praise God? (23:47)
Why did the centurion call Jesus a righteous man, and in what way was this declaration significant? (23:47)
.How did the witnesses to Christ's crucifixion react to His death? (23:48)
Why did those people who knew Jesus watch from a distance? (23:49)
Get It
Why did Jesus need to die on the cross?
What difference did Christ's death make in our relationship with God the Father?
How did Christ open the path between us and God?
What does it mean to approach God?
How are we able to approach God?
What do Jesus' actions teach us about submission to God's will?
Why was the centurion's reaction to Jesus' death so remarkable?
What does this passage teach us about how we should respond to death?
From what has Jesus' death on the cross saved you?
Apply It
In what ways can you approach God each day this week, to honor the path to the Father He opened for you?
With what younger Christian can you share today your thankfulness for Christ's great sacrifice?
Notes
Luke 23:44: Darkness covered the entire land for about three hours in the middle of the day. All nature seemed to mourn over the stark tragedy of the death of God's Son.
Luke 23:45: This significant event symbolized Christ's work on the cross. The temple had three parts: the courts for all the people; the Holy Place, where only priests could enter; and the Most Holy Place, where the high priest alone could enter once a year to atone for the sins of the people. It was in the Most Holy Place that the ark of the covenant, and God's presence with it, rested. The curtain that was torn was the one that closed off the Most Holy Place from view. At Christ's death, the barrier between God and man was split in two. Now all people can approach God directly through Christ (Hebrews 9:1-14; Hebrews 10:19-22).