Faith and hope trembled in the expiring agonies of Christ because God had removed the assurance He had heretofore given His beloved Son of His approbation and acceptance. The Redeemer of the world then relied upon the evidences which had hitherto strengthened Him, that His Father accepted His labors and was pleased with His work. In His dying agony, as He yields up His precious life, He has by faith alone to trust in Him whom it has ever been His joy to obey. He is not cheered with clear, bright rays of hope on the right hand nor on the left. All is enshrouded in oppressive gloom. Amid the awful darkness which is felt by sympathizing nature, the Redeemer drains the mysterious cup even to its dregs. Denied even bright hope and confidence in the triumph which will be His in the future, He cries with a loud voice: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” He is acquainted with the character of His Father, with His justice, His mercy, and His great love, and in submission He drops into His hands. Amid the convulsions of nature are heard by the amazed spectators the dying words of the Man of Calvary. {2T 210.2}

Troen og håbet bævende under Kristi sjælekamp i dødens stund, fordi Gud har borttaget den forvisning, han hidtil havde givet sin elskede søn om sit velbehag og sin anerkendelse. Verdens Genløser forlod sig nu på de synlige beviser, der hidindtil havde styrket ham, Vidnesbyrdene om, at Faderen havde godkendt hans gerning og fundet behag i hans værk. Idet han i sine dødskvaler opgiver sit dyrebare liv, har han kun troen at holde sig til og må alene stole på ham, som det altid har været hans glæde at adlyde. Ingen klare, lyse håbets stråler (211) opmuntrer ham fra nogen kant. Alt er indhyllet i trykkende mulm. I dette forfærdelige mørke, som en medfølende natur fornemmer, tømmer Genløseren den hemmelighedsfulde kalk lige til bærmen. Berøvet endog det lyse håb og tilliden til den sejr, som i fremtiden skal blive hans del, råber han med høj røst: »Fader! i dine hænder betror jeg min ånd.« Han kender sin faders karakter, hans retfærdighed, hans barmhjertighed og hans store kærlighed og i underkastelse falder han i hans hænder. Under naturens krampetrækninger hører de forfærdede tilskuere de ord, der i dødsøjeblikket lød fra manden på Golgata.