In Luke’s passion narrative, Jesus commends his spirit to God. His body is racked with pain. He is probably disappointed that his disciples have gone into hiding. Yet he knows that God is with him. He knows that God holds him in the palm of God’s hand. He knows what he is doing on that cross and who he is doing it for. So, in his final moments of life, he once again trusts that God has a plan, that God cares for him, that God can and will take even this tragedy and turn it into triumph. He may not know exactly how that will happen, but he knows that it will happen, and with this confidence he can pray, “Father, into your hands…”

There have been times when I’ve sat with someone who was dying, and no matter how bad things seemed, they were confident in God’s loving mercy. They knew, they didn’t just believe. They knew that in the end they would see God. Their faith has inspired me, and I have been blessed to stand with them in the shadow of the cross and witness their faith.