The last words spoken before the last breath usually reveals much about a person and their life priority, their belief, and their destiny. Jesus’ last words, according the John and Luke, are, “It is finished. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (46; John 19:28) Jesus’ priority was to finish the work given him by his heavenly Father. Jesus’ belief was that he had completed that work and would now be going to his Father. Jesus’ destiny was to sit at his Father’s right hand in paradise.
I have said many times in my commentaries that Jesus died for my sins. However, none of the four gospel writers record that Jesus died, meaning to cease living and existing. Luke and Matthew record that Jesus “breathed his last,” also translated “yielded or gave up the ghost”. Mark and John record that Jesus “gave up his spirit”. They were not using artistic, flowery words. They were relaying the facts properly. Jesus’ physical body ceased working, but continued to exist in soul and spirit. Three days later, his body came to life again, his soul and spirit reentered that body, and Jesus walked out of the grave.
Physical death is not the end. “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27) “Pray… that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36) “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:2-3)
