THE ESSENCE OF THE CROSS
Life of Christ #56
A medical doctor provides a physical description: The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought-iron nail through the wrist and deep into the wood. Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted into place.
The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed. The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating, fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain—the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet.
As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through the muscles, knotting them in deep, relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subside. Spasmodically he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen.
Hours of this limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint-rending cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against the rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.
It is now almost over—the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level—the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues—the tortured lungs are making a frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air.
He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues… Finally he can allow his body to die.
All this the Bible records with the simple words, “And they crucified Him.” (Mark 15:24).
It is here that our Lord Jesus not only suffered at the hand of man but also at the hand of God as He bore the sins of the whole world upon Himself that we might have forgiveness and eternal life.
This morning we will center on the Essence of the Cross, which I feel is reflected in the 7 last words of our Lord Jesus Christ. These words are the recorded words of Jesus when He was on the cross.
1. A WORD OF PETITION – Luke 23:33-34
Luke 23:33-34 - And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. [34] Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus had preached forgiveness as a way of life.
Luke 6:27-28 - But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, [28] Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
On the cross Jesus practiced what he had preached.
He also fulfilled prophecy by doing so.
Isaiah 53:12 - Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus demonstrates just how far we should go in forgiving others. In ignorance the soldiers had mistreated and crucified the very Lord of Glory!
In ignorance these soldiers had crucified an innocent man.
In ignorance these soldiers murdered God!
If Jesus could forgive such gross mistreatment, how much more should we forgive others when they mistreat us!
Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
A WORD OF PETITION
2. A WORD OF PROMISE – Luke 23:39-43
As you know, there were two thieves crucified with Jesus.
At first both taunted Jesus that if He was who He said He was, He should save Himself and them.
But as Jesus suffered there on the cross, He did so mostly in silence. He didn’t curse and swear. He didn’t yell at His persecutors. He didn’t lash out. One of the thieves took notice. The other thief started in again on Jesus.
Luke 23:39 - And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
The other thief actually rebuked his fellow thief.
Luke 23:40-41 - But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? [41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
“Don’t you fear God?” the thief asked.
He also added that his partner and he were justly crucified.
He admitted they deserved the punishment for what they had done.
And then he added that Jesus didn’t deserve the punishment because he was innocent.
Luke 23:42 - And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
The man had already admitted his guilt, and now he calls Jesus “Lord” and asks to be remembered when Jesus comes into His Kingdom.
This man had placed His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
And Jesus answers with one of the most wonderful promises of all Scripture.
Luke 23:43 - And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Jesus was dying for the sins of that thief while they were speaking.
Jesus looked ahead and saw that the thief’s sins would be paid for.
He heard the thief’s confession of faith, and knew it to be sincere.
He made the promise that that very day the thief would be with Him in paradise.
The promise of Heaven was not just for that thief.
The promise of Heaven is for all, who, in humility acknowledge their sins and total unworthiness and turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. It is the one who by faith applies the atoning work of Christ to their own lives that is saved!
Jesus promised in John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
How about you? Have you turned to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith? Have you claimed the promise of Heaven for yourself?
A WORD OF PETITION
A WORD OF PROMISE
3. A WORD OF PROVISION – John 19:25-27
Picture Jesus filled with physical, emotional, and spiritual pain! Picture Jesus suffering terribly. In all of His stress not only does he think about a poor lost sinner, the thief, but He thinks of the needs of His mother.
John 19:25-27 - Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! [27] Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
The relationship between Jesus and Mary was changing forever. On the cross Jesus was literally becoming her Savior and Lord, worthy of all her faith and adoration. He would not be physically available to provide the care needed. And so Jesus turns to the one who was probably Jesus’ closest friend, the Apostle John and commits his mother’s physical care into His hands.
Some may think that becoming a Christian relieves us of responsibility. After all, we don’t have to work for our salvation. But becoming a Christian gives us new responsibilities to love and care for other Christians. Jesus wants us to help meet the needs of other believers.
Galatians 6:9-10 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [10] As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Let us be sensitive to the voice of Jesus telling us who he wants us to provide for!
A WORD OF PETITION
A WORD OF PROMISE
A WORD OF PROVISION
4. A WORD OF PAIN – Mark 15:33-34
Mark 15:33-34 - And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. [34] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
The sixth hour was noon. There was a three hour darkness that God imposed on the land until about 3:00 P.M. while Jesus was on the cross.
The darkness hid his suffering from public view.
The darkness was also an indication that God was indeed turning His back on His own Son.
In those hours Jesus bore the sins of the whole world.
He was punished for every sin that had ever been committed or would be committed.
He experienced the wrath of God poured out upon Him so that we might have forgiveness and eternal life.
The words my “My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me?” were quoted from Psalm 22:1. Imagine the anguish Jesus experienced in being separated from His literal Father! Imagine the punishment inflicted on the Lord Jesus for every murder, every lie, every theft, every bad word, every bad attitude, and every unkindness that ever existed!
If you’ve ever felt abandoned, you can only begin to learn how Jesus felt. He who only knew fellowship with God the Father and God the Spirit was abandoned by them as He suffered for you!
Galatians 3:13 - Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
1 Peter 2:24 - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
My friend, don’t take lightly the pain that Jesus suffered for you that you might be forgiven.
A WORD OF PETITION
A WORD OF PROMISE
A WORD OF PROVISION
A WORD OF PAIN
5. A WORD FOR PROPHECY – John 19:28-29
John 19:28-29 - After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. [29] Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
In spite of all the suffering that Jesus had been through, He was still in control. And he made sure that he fulfilled the prophecies concerning his death down to the last detail.
Psalm 69:21 - 1They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Not even one verse of Scripture was overlooked as our Lord fulfilled prophecy to the letter.
This encourages me. My Lord has taken care of every detail of my salvation and eternal life. He hasn't missed a thing. And to think that even now He's preparing a place for me in Heaven, I can be comfortable, knowing that he won't miss a thing.
John 14:2-3 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
A WORD FOR PROPHECY
6. A WORD OF PRONOUNCEMENT – John 19:30
John 19:30 - When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
IT IS FINISHED MEANS:
1. EVERY APPOINTMENT KEPT
Before Christ ever set foot on this earth, I believe he had appointments scheduled for Him. He was better than any doctor, any pastor, and any salesman, at keeping every appointment.
Here are some of the appointments
that he kept:
Bethlehem
Nicodemus
The Woman at the Well
The Rich Young Ruler
Zacchaeus
Jerusalem
Calvary
2. EVERY MIRACLE PERFORMED
The Water Was Turned Into Wine
Many Blind Men Saw.
Five Thousand Were Fed
The Sea Was Calmed During the Storm.
Lazarus Was Raised From The Dead.
Jesus Was Transfigured.
3. EVERY LESSON TAUGHT
The Sermon on the Mount
The "Bread of Life"
The "Light of the World"
The "Good Shepherd"
The Olivet Discourse
The Upper Room Discourse
4. EVERY PROPHECY FULFILLED
Concerning His Birth
Concerning His Life
Concerning His Death
5. EVERY SIN PAID FOR.
Not one sin was missed.
Not one offense overlooked.
Nothing was left out!
The work of Christ is complete.
Hebrews 10:14 - For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
The shout “IT IS FINISHED!” was certainly a shout of victory!
A WORD OF PRONOUNCEMENT
7. A WORD OF PEACE – Luke 23:46
Luke 23:46 - And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Jesus had paid it all.
He was no longer separated from His Heavenly Father.
He could commend His spirit to God, because He was going home to God!
He actually died in peace, knowing that He had done all that He had been asked to do.
And notice that Jesus was in control to the end.
“He gave up the ghost.” He willed to die. They didn’t take Jesus life, although they meant to. He gave it!
What about you?
Will you die in peace?
Will you die in peace because you know Jesus as your Savior?
Will you die in peace as a Christian, knowing that you’ve done God has wanted you to do with your life?
We have seen the essence of the cross.
A WORD OF PETITION
A WORD OF PROMISE
A WORD OF PROVISION
A WORD OF PAIN
A WORD OF PROPHECY
A WORD OF PRONOUNCEMENT
A WORD OF PEACE