A. Background & Comments:

• through this month of March we have considered several, but not all, of the last sayings & words of Jesus Christ on the cross. This process has helped us understand the mindset of Jesus Christ before his sacrificial death. We have learned that he was:

• “Woman, behold your son”

• concerned that his mother & best friend were understanding of the necessity for him to experience this as part of God’s plan for the benefit of mankind;

• “I am thirsty”

• desiring that his followers see his very real suffering, not as meaningless but meaningful, the very real fulfillment of prophecy laid out hundreds of years before;

• “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

• feeling the very real effects of essentially being left alone to not only pay the price for our sin, but to become sin itself. He could not have been more distanced from the Father!

• Now, before we go any further, you might be amongst those who are thinking to yourselves, “Shouldn’t he be moving on to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter day? Do we still have to stop at the cross?”

• Well, truly, I understand if you think that, but fear not, we will end at the resurrection! However, to understand the full significance of the resurrection you must first comprehend what Jesus was getting at when he uttered these words.

B. Main Thought:

• This one verse passage teaches us that the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ were inextricably linked, the one bringing meaning to the other!

C. Key Question:

• When Jesus expressed the words, “It is finished!” what was the Christ actually saying? Was there more than the obvious to this anguished statement?

We believe that at least two truths were being expressed – other than the obvious physical pain being completed – that makes the resurrection more significant:

I. “It is Finished!”: The Act of Loving Reconciliation was Complete (II Cor. 5:18,19)

Paul wrote: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.”

A. The overwhelming message of the Bible is that we are people who, before accepting Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, are unable to experience any sense of intimacy with God. This situation was unacceptable to God so he commenced a process of “buying back” (redemption) his creation through Christ. When Jesus Christ utters these words, knowing his last breath imminent, the process was virtually complete.

• Old Testament law required the shedding of blood, normally lambs or goats, for sin to be forgiven. Jesus becomes the ultimate “lamb of God” who takes away the sin of the world, meeting the requirements of the law.

B. Although I do not wholly understand why God chose to reconcile to himself the world in this way, I do accept that the cross was his chosen manner of action. When I hear Jesus Christ utter these words I understand that the process of humanity being made able to be right with God is complete. I have hope where none existed before… intimacy with God is possible!

II. “It is Finished!”: The Act of Final Justice Was About to Commence (Acts 2:22-24; 31-33)

Peter, in his first sermon to the people of Jerusalem, said:

“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death…”

“… he (King David) spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit…”

A. On the face of the matter, the cross event of Jesus Christ is the epitome of injustice: a man sentenced to death for the wrongdoing of another man. Could there be a greater injustice? When Jesus utters these final, painful words he clearly recognizes that his own day of justice is not far off.

• Jesus understands – remember he told the disciples to expect it – that his rising on the third day would be the ultimate proof he was right & justified in all of his actions.

B. After 3 days of suffering in hell – the penalty & payment for our sin – Jesus Christ rises from the grave & overcomes the injustice of his captors & crucifiers. He, like Joseph of OT fame, could say without hesitation, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Gen. 50:20) Now, how’s that for a little justice in the face of evil?

Implications for Life

A. On this Easter day we rejoice that the resurrection means we can right with God & our offences have been completely forgiven! The result of the cross & resurrection is that we live in a hope & future that cannot be taken away from us.

• “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”

B. On this Easter day we further rejoice that when people – the negative, the destructive, the nay-sayers” – around us imply that there is no hope for the good things in life… ignore them. As Christians we have an example of the greatest underdog in history! On this Easter day understand your hope, your meaning, your life.

“AND NOW YOU KNOW… THE REST OF THE STORY.”