Trevor S. Ferguson
April 7, 2012
John
19:30 (AMP): When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is
finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
INTRODUCTION
During
the Easter Season, Christians across the world take time to reflect on the
death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We often recall Jesus’
triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, the struggle
in Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ arrest and trial, the struggles on the road to
Calvary, the crucifixion, the time on the cross, His burial and finally His
resurrection.
Of
all the experiences the time on the cross is considered the most painful,
gruesome and agonizing. It is hard to comprehend the agony associated with
nails being driven through human hands, to fathom hanging on a cross, bleeding
and knowing that death may still be hours away, and at the same time experience
cruel mocking from a vicious mob. However, when we look at the words of Christ
spoken from the cross we see a message of hope for all humanity. We then begin
to understand that the cross, although a sign of untold suffering, is at the
same time a massive symbol of hope.
EXPOSITION
The
gospels record seven sayings of Christ from the cross. These words were spoken
despite great suffering and highlight the selflessness of Christ as He wrought
salvation for humanity. The seven sayings are listed below:
(1)
Father forgive them, for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)
(2)
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)
(3)
Woman, behold your son: behold your mother (John
19:26-27)
(4)
My God, My God, why have you forsaken me, (Matthew
27:46 and Mark 15:34)
(5)
I thirst (John 19:28)
(6)
It is finished (John 19:30)
(7)
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke
23:46)
Traditionally,
these seven sayings are called expressions of forgiveness, salvation, relationship,
abandonment, distress, triumph and reunion, respectively. Today I want us to
focus on the sixth saying from the cross as we reflect on the finished work of
salvation accomplished through Jesus Christ.
First,
let us acknowledge that all humanity inherited Adam’s fallen state. David tells
us in Psalm 51 that he was sinful at birth and indeed was sinful from the time
of conception. We are also reminded in Romans 3:23 that all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God. We further acknowledge that the appropriate
penalty for sin is death as God had informed Adam in the Garden of Eden and as
Paul reminds us in Romans 6:23. We recall also that in order to receive
forgiveness of sins then blood was required
as illustrated in God’s slaying of an animal to atone for Adam’s sin and
in the statement in Hebrews 9:22 which tells us that without the shedding of
blood there is no remission (of sins).
In
the Old Testament the Jewish people conducted an elaborate system of sacrifices
and offerings in order to obtain forgiveness of sins, but these sacrifices
offered only atonement or covering for sin and had to be repeated on at least a
yearly basis. Jesus’ death on the cross was the sacrifice that once and for all
paid the full price for man’s salvation and opened up the way for man to have
full fellowship with God.
Jesus’
words in John 19:30 is testament to that accomplishment. The statement
translated as “It is finished” in English comes from a single Greek word ‘TETELASTAI’ which means “it is accomplished,” “it is
fulfilled,” or “it is paid in full.” According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary ancient receipts for taxes have been
recovered with the word tetelestai written across them, meaning “paid
in full.” This word on Jesus’ lips was therefore very significant. When He
said, “It is finished”, He meant His redemptive work was completed. He had been
made sin for people and had suffered the penalty of God’s justice which sin
deserved.
Jesus,
was therefore the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. With His death, the
complex Old Testament sacrificial system ended because Jesus took all sin upon
himself.
We
can now freely approach God because of what Jesus did for us on the Cross.
Those who believe in Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection can have a hope
of life eternal and will escape the death penalty that comes from sin. We see
then that while the cross is a symbol of suffering and agony it is equally a
symbol of hope. Let us never forget the agony, the price He paid for our
salvation, but the best we can do for God is to take see the hope offered
through the Cross and apply that hope to our lives today.
CONCLUSION /
APPLICATION
Today,
as we have reflected on the Cross as a symbol of hope for all humanity, I want
to encourage all persons to apply this message of hope to our personal lives.
I
will close with the NIV rendition of the Hebrews 10:19-23.
19Therefore, brothers, since we
have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by
a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and
since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw
near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed
with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful.
Let
us put our trust in Him today, so that we can be assured of Hope for Tomorrow.
