TEXT: John 19:30
READING: Isaiah 53:1-12
SUBJ: Our Lord’s final declaration of completion from the cross and that which we may claim because of it.
AIM: To encourage meditation on the events around the cross with special attention to what He said from the cross.
INTR: At some point in the last few weeks my thoughts became focused on the finality of Christ’s words from the cross and especially on this one. There is one word that is translated “It is finished.” That word is tetelestai. (To complete, execute, conclude, discharge as a debt).
1. My mind was soon led to the thought that it is over. The battle is won. All that was against us was fully discharged and paid in full.
2. No doubt, every true believer has tried to fathom the depths of the suffering of Christ. That would be impossible to understand how our eternity in hell was suffered in the sufferings of Christ there on the cross. It is either a finite being suffering for eternity or an infinite being suffering for a time.
3. I have studied three sermons (two by Spurgeon and one by Octavius Winslow) and several commentaries and I pray to have benefited in so doing in both preparation and delivery of this message.
THESIS: That which took place at the cross of Christ stands as the focal point of all history as far as believers are concerned. The resurrection would validate that it was so.
I. We would note first the sufferings of Christ.
1. From the time of the fall, it has been understood that the Seed of the Woman would suffer (it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel).
2. Every time an animal was put to death, it foreshadowed the sufferings of our Lord. and so, the faith of Abel showed that he understood that a suffering substitute was coming.
3. The theme of suffering has been declared all down through the ages:
1) Seen in the words of the psalmist: My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. (Psalms 22:15).
2) Often the Spirit of Christ testified through others: Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. (Psalms 42:7).
3) The Spirit of Christ on David: Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. (Psalms 69:1-3).
4) For the Sons of Korah: Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah. (Psalms 88:6-7).
5) From the prophet: Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10).
4. From the writer of Hebrews: Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (Hebrews 5:7-8).
II. The cry of a Savior
1. It is written of Him that He came to seek and to save that which was lost; to save sinners.
2. Thus were all the typical sacrifices abolished as those things that men tend to which men tend to cling. See Paul and the Galatians and see also, Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (Colossians 2:14).
3. Perfect obedience has been rendered up: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8).
4. Justice was completely satisfied: To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26). Indignant justice stood in view, To Sinai’s fiery mount I flew, But Justice cried with frowning face, “This mountain is no hiding place!”
5. The covenant of grace was now ratified – sealed with the blood of Christ – The surety had accomplished salvation.
III. Conquest was declared
1. Jesus met Satan on the field of battle and unhorsed him in an instant.
2. The power of Satan was destroyed:
1) He (Satan) had exhausted all he had and yet here is his archenemy speaking and declaring victory.
2) He had sought at every turn to prevent Christ from coming into the world.
3) He had unleashed his fury at every turn.
3. But now death was conquered – his power was disengaged –
4. Sin is finished, death is abolished, The mighty conqueror reigns.
5. He is so announced: And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6).
6. The message we have for all is “it is over.” Nothing remains to be done. It is finished!
7. And further: And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15)
