While hanging upon the cross, before “He breathed His last,” Jesus said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit’” (Luke 23:46). It is interesting that the Hebrew writer penned, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). It is noted that Jesus COMMITTED His spirit into God’s hands, but to FALL into God’s hands is a fearful thing. There is a difference.

To commit oneself into God’s hands is to live a life of commitment to God. By doing so, one has the confidence of being placed in God’s care in the end. Jesus lived a life of obedience to His Father, and knew that following His death, He would be with Him. His words pointed back to Psalm 31. David committed his spirit into God’s hands, not just in consummation at the end of his life, but throughout his life. He was led and guided by God (v. 3). God was his fortress throughout his life (v. 3). He hated idolatry, and opposition to God, but he himself trusted in God (v. 6). Thus Jesus, throughout His life, and at the end of His life, had a trust in God who guarded His spirit. Much like the confidence of Paul (cf. 2 Timothy 1:12).

However, to “fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) is not a decisive action, but an unexpected, thus unprepared occurrence. This is one who “sin[s] willfully,” and “has trampled the Son of God underfoot, [and] counted the blood of the covenant…a common thing” (Hebrews 10:26, 29). Therefore, God says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” and then “The Lord will judge His people” (v. 30). It is indeed a “fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” because of the “expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (v. 27).

Instead of falling into His hands, why not commit yourself into His hands?

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