He bowed His Head by Ps Michael Podhaczky

He bowed His head

One of the last things that Jesus said while on the cross was that His redemptive work “‘is finished and remains finished!’ Then, bowing His head He released His spirit” (John 19:30). Luke 23:46 records Jesus’ last words, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” It was with these words that Jesus then bowed, breathed His last breath and died. His work of redemption was now complete; and in three days, He would rise from the dead in a demonstration of the reality that He is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). He had paid the redeeming price for salvation.

 

One thing that stands out here is that, in the midst of His time of serving here on earth, He had too much to do to bow His head and rest. Interestingly, the same word used here in John 19:30 “bowing,” is also used in Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58, where it can be translated “lay.” The rest that Jesus could not find while working here on earth; He found in His Father while on the cross when His work was finished. So, in the end, the cruel cross became a peaceful place for Jesus, a place of transition into the rest found in the Father hands.

 

This sheds new light on Jesus’ statement, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). The cross can become a peaceful place; as you realise that you have already transitioned into Father’s hands when you breathed your last, bowed and died with Christ on the cross. So, your work is finished, you have entered your rest cf. Galatians 2:20; Hebrews 3 and 4.