“A Prayer Of Completion”
(Luke 23:44-47)
I. Introduction.
A. It’s almost over now. All of the humiliation; all of the
physical pain; all of the spiritual darkness. The Creator
has redeemed His creation. God has given Himself for
the humanity He loves so much. That story of redemption
had begun long ago!
B. “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth”
(Genesis 1:1).
1. We learn that text as children. But, only maturity lets us
truly understand it.
2. God “created “ - it doesn’t say He made them. It doesn’t
say He copied them, or developed them. No, He “created”
them. Creating is different than constructing. Constructing
means putting together what already exists; assembling
what is already available. It’s a process of the mind and
hands. Creating means starting from nothing; bringing it
into existence; it engages the mind and heart.
3. People do ‘create” things: a painting on a blank canvas; a
song on a blank sheet of paper. And people do make things
from material already available. In either case, when it is
completed, how do we feel?
a. Do we feel good about what we’ve done? You hope so.
b. Do we feel proud of our accomplishments? We should.
c. Do we feel protective toward our project? Isn’t that a
part of you on the canvas, or on the paper? Isn’t that the
work of your hands in that piece of furniture, or whatever
it is you’ve made?
4. God created everything and, as a finale, He created man-
kind. And within then He put ‘His Image.”
-2-
C. But, that’s only the start of the story.
1. As it goes on, an enemy tells lies to people and they believe
the lies. In an act of disobedience, a different relationship
develops between the Creator and His creation. The
characters and scenes change, but the story itself is
endlessly repetitive.
2. God, still the compassionate Creator draws his creation to
Him. Man, the creation, alternately reaches out in
repentance and runs away in rebellion.
3. In the script of the story the power of the Creator is seen
time-and-again, as he gets His creation to pay attention
to Him. For example:
a. A ninety-year-old woman becomes pregnant.
b. Another woman is turned into a pillar of salt.
c. A bush burns, but doesn’t burn up.
d. A sea parts in two.
e. The walls of a great city come down, and the list goes
on and on.
4. But, nothing could compare with this climax of the story.
D. The Creator, motivated by His love becomes and man and lives
among people.
II. “Take Me Home.”
A. In an incomprehensible manner, God appeared as a carpenter’s
son and lived in a poor, dusty Palestinian village. Determined
to prove His love for His creation, He walks in the world and
-3-
His calloused hands touched wounds, and His compassionate
tongue touched hearts. He became one of us.
B. Has there ever been such determination? Has there ever been
such a desire to communicate? If one thing didn’t work, He
tried another. If one approach failed, He’d try a new one.
(Hebrews 1:1-2: “God, who at various times and in various
ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in
these last days spoken to us by His Son, . . . “).
C. But, the act if incarnation was not the height of demonstrated
love. God reserved the greatest for last. Everything else just
led up to this end. The ultimate act of compassion is God on a
cross.
1. The Creator sacrificing Himself for the undeserving
creation. God communicating to mankind that forgiveness
follows failure.
2. It bring the sigh of completion: “It is finished.” The
mission is done. The canvas is filled and the picture can be
seen in all its glory and beauty. The creation can now
come home.
3. It brings the prayer of completion: “Father, into your
hands . . . “ The Creator can now go home.
D. If it were war, this would be the aftermath when the guns fall
silent and the fear subsides. If it were a symphony, this would
be the second between the final note and the first applause.
If it was a storm, this would be the moment the sunshine
came through the passing clouds. It if was a journey, this
would be the moment when you see home again.
1. It was the Messiah, and it was His appeal to His Father:
“Take Me Home.”
2. It was the hoarse voice, now weak, that had once called the
dead to life, that had confidently taught the willing
-4-
listeners, that had cried out in loneliness and terror,
“. . . why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).
3. The two are one again; the lost are redeemed; the separation
is bridged.
E. First, “Father, it’s over.”
1. Satan’s servants have been scattered. Death has been
condemned. The darkness has given way to light.
2. Then, “Father, take Me home.” The struggle is over; the
war has been successfully completed. The Prince of Peace
reigns as the King of kings.
III. The Long Day Ends.
A. In the verses from Luke’s gospel (44-47), you have four
significant events described.
1. First, the physical darkness of the sixth to the ninth hour,
(Noon until 3 P.M.). When sin rules our lives, darkness
prevails and separates us from God.
2. Second, the veil of the Temple was “. . . torn in two.”
(Luke 23:45). That which was a barrier to the holiest place,
was opened. The coming of Christ, the life of Christ, now
His death, took away what hid God from people. (”He who
has seen Me has seen the Father; . . .” John 14:9).
3. Third, Jesus died with a prayer, and fell asleep in His
Father’s arms.
4. Last, a Roman soldier expressed admiration for the way
Jesus died. And, the way Jesus died accomplished, for
some, what His life had not: changed the hardened hearts
of people. It continues to do so, today.
-5-
IV. Conclusion.
A. The long plan for redeeming mankind was completed at
Calvary. The message of God to His creation was made
complete in Jesus. The necessary blood had been given; the
necessary sacrifice had been made. Death had been conquered,
it’s sting removed.
B. Calvary was no defeat; it was a great victory. Are you ready to
give up? Don’t. Are you discouraged? Hang in there. Accept
God’s forgiveness and keep battling until you can pray with
joy, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”)
C. Lines from song “He Lives.”
Verse 1: I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
Verse 2: In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho my heart grows weary I never will despair:
I know that He is leading, thru all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.
Verse 3: Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The hope of all who seek Him, the help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.