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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“Completion And Conquest: It Is Finished” |
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I. Introduction.
A. Scene I: Three Hours. The Centurion had sat down a little
distance away from the place where the three men were
dying. But, it was always difficult for him to see men die
this way. In combat, at least you had a chance – you could
die with some dignity and honor. Even in the arena, men
could defend themselves, and might get mercy from the
crowd. Fight well, and you might live.But, here, there was no dignity, no honor, no mercy – just
agony and waiting – waiting for the condemned to weaken
to the point that they could no longer pull themselves up to
get air.You didn’t bleed to death on a cross – you suffocated.
Better if you did bleed to death; it wouldn’t take nearly so
long. And, his duty was not done until the bodies came
down.On top of everything else, there must be a storm coming. It
had begun to get dark. He hadn’t paid much attention to
the sky, but now it was getting very dark. Some people
were looking up, apprehensively; some were moving
away – probably going to seek shelter from what might be
a terrific storm. His soldiers stood in small groups, talking
to each other and, occasionally, casting a wary eye at that
darkening sky. It was strange though; no wind; no
lightning ; no thunder; only darkness.The man on the cross in the center was saying something,
but the Centurion was too far away to hear what it was.
Besides, his knowledge of Hebrew, or Aramaic, was
limited. Even if he’d heard the words, he might not
understand them. Some others standing around seemed to
both hear, and understand. Something about “Elijah,”
whoever that was.Many of the men who’d mocked this “King of the Jews”
were gone now. Fled with others, out of fear of this
oppressive darkness, the Centurion thought. Or, maybe just
tired of the show.Why was it so dark? What was happening – or going to
happen? And, what’s that rumbling sound?The ground began to shake and roll. Earthquake? The
Centurion tried to get up, but was knocked to the ground
again by the movement of the earth. Nearby, rocks were
split open, and fissures in the ground opened up. People
were falling everywhere, and yelling out of sheer terror.
After a few minutes the rumbling and shaking stopped and
the Centurion stood up, dazed, but unhurt. What was this
all about?B. It was all about the death of the most unique, and
important, individual who ever lived. It was about the
climax of God’s plan for redeeming humanity.1. It had started even before “. . . God created the
heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1). He didn’t
just make them; He “created” them. To “make”
something presupposes the materials to construct
them with. It’s a matter of putting things together
a certain way. “Making” is a matter of the hands –
“creating” involves the heart, and the power to
bring into being something from nothing.2. The One who died at Calvary was there at the
creation. The One who died at Calvary entered His
creation as a Man: “and the word became flesh and
dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory
of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth.” (John 1:14).a. God, motivated by love, became a Man. His
calloused hands touched peoples’ wounds
and infirmities; His compassionate words
touched their hearts.b. But, all the teaching, all the healing, all the
miles traveled up and down Palestine, were
but a prelude to this supreme act of love, the
death on the cross.3. Who could have arrested Him, if He’d not
submitted to them? Who could have beaten, and
spat upon, and mocked Him, if He’d not allowed
them to? Who could have taken His life, if He’d
not yielded it up?4. The Creator sacrificed Himself for His creation.
The Creator demonstrated His love for His
creation.C. After six hours on the cross, “It is finished.” Calvary
brings us face-to-face with suffering humanity. And, it
brings us face-to-face with triumphant Deity. And with
that shout of victory, “[Jesus] gave up His spirit.”
(John 19:30). They didn’t kill God in the person of His
Son; they didn’t take His life. He gave it up voluntarily.D. Song: “When I Survey The Wondrous Cross” (#315).
II. “It Is Finished.”
A. Three words – one word in the Greek (“TETELESTAI”).
So simple, yet so meaningful.1. People don’t always finish what they start. Our
human tendency is to quit too soon, to stop before
we get to the finish line.2. Jesus didn’t quit before His purpose was
accomplished. He didn’t quit before what He’d
come to do had been done. The last breath, the last
sigh, the last cry: “It is finished.” It is completed.B. What was completed at Calvary was the Father’s plan for
redeeming sinful humanity. What was completed at
Calvary was the laying of the foundation for the church
that Jesus said He’d build, and that even death could not
stop.1. The blood required for remission, for forgiveness,
of sins had been poured out.2. The consequences of sin had been atoned for;
justice had been served.3. The sacrifice for sin, once and for all, had been
made.4. Death’s hold over humanity – and the fear of
death – had been removed.C. “It is finished” represents the completion and conquest of
the cross.1. It is a cry of completion, and a cry of conquest –
loud enough for a defeated Satan to hear. This
conquest was the fulfillment of the promise of
Genesis 3:15: “He shall bruise your [Satan’s]
head, and you shall bruise His [Christ’s] heel.”2. Jesus didn’t come down from the cross, as He was
challenged to do. He didn’t quit before the task was
completed. His victory is our salvation.3. In completion and conquest is comfort for a lost,
and dying, humanity.D. Scene II: Down From The Cross. The soldiers saw the
messenger, who had just arrived, speaking to the Centurion.
The Centurion nodded and turned to the soldiers nearest
him.“The governor has ordered the prisoners’ legs be broken.
Something about the Jewish feast, and we have to get the
bodies down before sunset.”The sky had brightened again. The earthquake had ceased.
The Centurion had decided for himself that today’s were
no ordinary executions. Now, his men carried out the
orders, breaking the legs of the criminal on the left and the
one on the right. They’d soon be dead because they could
no longer pull themselves up to get air in their lungs. But
now the Centurion was in for one last surprise.“This man is already dead, sir.”
The Centurion turned once again to look at the soldier
who’d spoken. “Which one?”“The Man in the middle. The Nazarene.”
“Are you sure?”
“Well, He looks like He’s stopped breathing.”
“Well, find out. Use your spear.” And the soldier pierced
Jesus’ side, and out came both blood and water. “That’s
about the quickest death I’ve ever seen on a cross. All
right. Get the bodies down.”1. Once more the ropes were used to lower the
crosspiece, after the feet had been freed from the
“saddle” and frame. The hands were pulled free
from the crosspiece, once it was on the ground.2. One of the observers stepped forward to speak to
the Centurion. “Your governor has granted me
permission to claim Jesus’ body, and to bury it.”
The Centurion merely nodded and turned his
attention to the other prisoners.E. Now, after the battle, peace reigns over the field. The only
sounds are the weeping of the women who are helping to
wrap the body of Jesus for burial. It’s all over now. But,
the battle has been won. In death there is victory, the
victory of completion and conquest.III. Conclusion.
A. Luke records one other statement the dying Savior made
from the cross. “Father, into Your hands I commit My
Spirit.” (Luke 23:46). It comes from Psalm 31:5.1. That was the first prayer every Jewish mother
taught her child to say before going to sleep.
Before sleep overtook that innocent child, they
repeated the words: “Into Your hands I commit
my spirit.”2. Jesus added one word: “Father . . . .” Now, with
His work done, with the day far spent, Jesus goes
to sleep in His Father’s arms. And, the mother who
had raised Him, taught Him that prayer, weeps as
she helps prepare His bruised and torn body for the
grave.B. He came, He completed His mission, He conquered death
and Satan, He provides us eternal rest and comfort because,
on the third day after His death, He rose again from the
grave.