The Answer in Expiration

Somehow the ocean seems to help us calmly breathe in and breathe out. That's
what Jesus offers us today -- we inspire what he expires. 

Scripture:

Mark 15:³⁷ Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.

Observation:

In this one little verse we find expansive meaning. Most criminals who were crucified would lose consciousness and hang on the cross for hours as life slowly slipped away from them. What happens with Jesus is most uncommon. He is not unconscious but remains awake until he breathes out his last breath with enough strength that he gives out a loud cry. 

The word used here, “breathed out” is a word that is rarely used for death. It is where we get the “expire” — “inspire” to breathe in and “expire” — to breathe out. The word in Greek, has the root pneuma which we also use for spirit, and has a relationship to the Hebrew word ruach. 

Application:

I’ve been pondering this one little sentence today. It’s in Genesis 1 that we first encounter this roach: “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2) The spirit or the breath of God swept over the earth and brought life from the very beginning. Now, in Jesus’ death, a similar word is used to express Jesus’ moment of death on the cross. 

In Jesus’ expiration he breathes out the breath of life upon the world, just as he did in creation. Only, in this moment he is breathing out new life for the whole world that is groaning because of the corruption of sin. Jesus’ expiration becomes our promise of inspiration. 

We are in the throes of a global pandemic. The disease is one which, in its worst case, collapses the lungs so that breathing becomes difficult. Every day we hear press-conferences about the need for “ventilators.” These are high-tech machines that breathe for you. They push air deep into your lungs, inflating them so that oxygen can get to your blood and flow throughout your entire body, keeping every cell alive and well. 

In the spiritual realm, humanity has been dying of the disease of sin. Our lungs have been collapsing as we have been gasping for air to live as God had originally intended. Jesus’ moment of expiration was the ultimate offer of a ventilator. When he breathes out, we can breathe in. His breath is what we need to fill us and bring healing to every part of our lives. 

When patients become critically ill they are transferred to a hospital facility where there is a ventilator to get the life-giving air that they need. Some of us are critically ill today, living with the long-term effects of sin in our lives. We need Jesus’ live-giving breath. You don’t have to go to a hospital, but you can look to him today and connect to the Spirit of God. Simply talk to Jesus — ask him to save you from the sins that are killing you and to expire (breath out) into your life. Then, stay connected to Jesus — for he is the source that will breathe into us for the remainder of our days. 

Our hope is found in Jesus’ expiration. 

Prayer:

Lord, I want to breathe deeply of your Spirit. Thank you for making it possible through your death. Amen.