The Last Breath That Changed Everything

By Dean Collins

If you have sat with a loved one as they are nearing death, you know the mixture of sadness and relief that accompanies a person’s last breath. While hospice nurses certainly can see the patterns of physical symptoms as the human body shuts down, it is difficult to predict the exact time that someone will die. 

Often, the loved one has been through a long journey, and when they breathe their last breath, there is relief that comes with the clarity of the moment. Family members transition from making sure their loved one is comfortable to the busyness of passing on this news to other friends and family and to preparing for a celebration of life or memorial service.

The last ten verses of Mark 15 tell us a story of the events that followed and how some who witnessed the last breath of Jesus reacted. Mark had earlier written that, beginning at noon, an unusual darkness filled the land. Jesus had just spoken from the cross saying, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” And while some at the foot of the cross maneuvered quickly to get Jesus a drink in hopes that he would say more or clarify what was said, it was at that moment that Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. There, in that dark moment, the world began again.

Mark records that the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Suddenly, there was no more restriction on who had access to God. The barrier was broken. In that moment, only the Father in heaven knew the implication of this moment, but Mark, writing later, knew that it should be documented.

The Roman centurion had clarity in that moment. Seeing all that had happened and hearing Jesus from the cross was all the evidence he needed to declare, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” 

We can be sure that everyone who loved Jesus felt the relief that he would experience no more suffering. What they were yet to experience was the joy, the excitement, and the transformation of life that would soon be theirs on Sunday when Jesus would walk out of the tomb.

Without the last breath of Jesus, we would still be in darkness. But in that darkness, Jesus paid the penalty of our sins. And when Jesus rose from the dead, he broke the darkness for all time and for everyone who believes. Now, we live in the daily presence of God, and with gratitude and joy, we step into every new opportunity to share the love of Jesus with everyone we meet.

But we must remember that on our journey to eternity, we will one day breathe our last breath as well. None of us know when it is our turn to cross the threshold to see Jesus face to face. One gift we can give our loved ones is to live well, serving Jesus today, so that when friends and family gather, they can be confident in their celebration of our life because we lived our days well, sharing the love of Jesus with those around us. 

Father, thank you for the blood of Jesus shed on the cross for our sins. Today, we pray that others would see Jesus in how we live, how we speak, and how we serve. May our lives reflect your love in every way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Mark 15:37-41 ESV

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