“And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last.”
– Mark 15:37
This “loud cry” was our Savior’s last words of conquest. Jesus cried out, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit (John 19:30). He defeated death and made a spectacle of the enemy (1 Cor. 15:55-57; Colossians 2:15).
God’s plan of redemption was fulfilled through Jesus’ death on the Cross (Galatians 3:13). Jesus gave up His life for you and me. Nobody took it from Him; He laid it down of His own free will. As it is written, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father” (John 10:17-18).
We are told there was a Roman officer, a Centurion, standing at the foot of the Cross who witnessed the entire event. And when he observed how Jesus gave up His Spirit, he knew history had been made (Mark 15:30). It is unclear if this Roman honestly confessed he believed in Christ. We do not find him equating Jesus with God. He admitted, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” We are left with a question about this Roman, did he accept Jesus as His Savior?
When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). Peter acknowledged that Jesus was not only the Son of God; he was the promised Messiah, A distinction that makes all the difference. And this question comes to us all. A decision must be made. There can be no question of doubt. This decision determines where we spend eternity, heaven or hell. Jesus finished the work on the Cross. Have you received His gift of eternal life?
“For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'”
– Romans 10:11-13
surrendered devotions 