Lent 2024 week 7

From his first breath until his last, Jesus teaches us how to live and how to die. This is why Lent is so important.

Slowing down brings significance to each moment, transforming them into precious memories. Today, as we draw near to the cross, may we begin to understand the importance of every breath and the ultimate gift He gave us.

Luke 23:44-46 says; ^“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, ⁴⁵ for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”^[ When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

Matthew 27:46 reads; “ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

 John 19:28-31 says: “Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

³¹ Now it was the day of Preparation, …”

With God, life and death are intertwined. Both are used for His purpose and glory. Even Jesus’ words, “It is finished,” connect us to our scene from the Last Supper. “This is my blood.” There is no coincidence of it being “the day of Preparation.” Everything we have experienced so far has been preparing us for this moment.

As we reflect on Jesus’ life and death, we begin to see how connected everything really is. Heaven is closer than we think and Jesus’ death leads us to life.

Precious memories, how they linger…

If you have ever watched someone go through the dying process, you know the veil between this life and the next is very thin. We are but a breath away. And in those moments of transition, Heaven, God, the next life draw close.

Genesis 2:7 says; “God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” 

Breath is a gift from God, whether it is your first or last. Talk to anyone who struggles with Chronic Bronchitis, COPD or some type of pulmonary disease. They will tell you how precious your breath is. My mother-in-law knew this all too well. For more than thirty years, we watched her fight for every breath. Her COPD came from a chemical spill, leaving her lungs damaged beyond repair. As we watched her die, over fifteen years ago, God gave us a memory we will cherish forever.

I’ll never forget it. She had been in the hospital for nearly a week on a ventilator. Her lungs had finally given up. She knew her last breath was drawing near. My husband sat with her, hand in hand and promised he would not leave her side. The minutes turned to hours as we waited. Death was close and the veil was getting thinner.

Immediately following her death, we gathered around, hugging and crying. A family friend approached my husband with tears in his eyes. As he leaned in to hug him, I heard him say, “I am so sorry your mother died on your birthday.” We were oblivious to what day it was. But my husband’s response amazed me.

With genuine sincerity, he said, “My mom didn’t die on my birthday. My mom went to Heaven on my birthday!”

Ironic, as she was there for his first breath, he was there for her last. Heaven came near that day. So close we were breathing it. Like a cloud, it carried us through the coming days. It made me realize, our last breath on earth is actually our next breath in heaven.

“In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, … we will be changed.”

Jesus’ last days on earth were painful. As we watch him take his last breath, we grieve. But in life and death, Heaven draws near and miracles abound. In these places, the veil is thin. As Jesus drew his last breath, he knew death was not the end of this story. And it is not the end of ours. Praise be to God!

Let us pray;

Breathe on me breath of God, so shall I never die, but live with you the perfect life of your eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Don’t miss the song below. If you cannot see it, open this message from your browser. Be sure to leave me a comment below, share with a friend or on Facebook. Until next time, cherish all the moments. And thank God for each breath. -M