The Courage of the Cross

“‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” Luke 23:46

I visited my daughter’s preschool the other day for their Easter celebration. I was struck by the way the school director shared the meaning of this special holiday with the kids.

“And what are we celebrating next week?” she asked with an excitement in her voice.

“Easter!” they shouted.

“Easter celebrates the most courageous man that ever lived.” she explained.

And several children shouted the name, Jesus.

“And why did Jesus die on the cross?” she asked…

“For our sins.” One four year old girl quietly answered.

The most courageous man that ever lived. It stuck with me.

In a world that celebrates every brave, cival professional (and rightfully so), how have we lost sight of the bravest man that ever walked and served the earth?

This morning, as I read this passage in Luke and thought about Jesus’ courage, I thought about our opportunity as believers to die this death with Christ when we come to know him. It’s our own act of courage to trust our life to a savior we cannot see in the natural. In committing our spirit into his hands we bravely say…Yes Lord. I trust the work you did on the cross for my salvation…you suffered bondage so I can walk in freedom…you suffered pain so I could be healed…you suffered much so I could have peace and joy. And when we say this…when we commit our lives to him, we breathe our last fleshly breath and begin to breathe new life in him.

Courageous.

Are you struggling right now to courageously put your life in his hands? How can we pray for you this Easter weekend?