The Cross Says it All

This past Sunday was Palm Sunday - the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem not as the conquering King but as the servant who would lay down His life

Palm Sunday begins what we call Holy week or Passion week.

God is the ultimate foreshadower - Jesus fulfilled 300+ prophecies in HIs life and from the triumphal entry to the resurrection He fulfilled approximately 33 (some say 27 were fulfilled on the day of His crucifixion)

The probability for one person fulfilling just 8 of these prophecies is 1 in 10 (with 17 zeros or one in one hundred quadrillion) - for just 48 the odds drop to 1 in 10 with 157 zeros and Jesus fulfilled over 300 in His lifetime…

Before we get to the cross I want to highlight some of the parallels of the week:

On the 10th of Nisan every household was to select a one-year-old make lamb - Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey on this exact day, the same day the Passover lambs were being brought into the city (often through the Sheep Gate).

Once chosen the lamb had to be kept in the home for 4 days to be “inspected” to ensure is was without blemish (Ex.12:5-6) - between palm Sunday and His crucifixion Jesus spent 4 days in the temple being “inspected” through intense questioning but the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes. Even the Roman judge, Pontius Pilate, ultimately declared, “I find no fault in him.”

The Day of Preparation: The Passover lambs were slaughtered on the 14th of Nisan, known as the Day of Preparation. Jesus was crucified on this same day.

The Hour of Death: Traditional Jewish practice (and the historian Josephus) noted that the evening sacrifice of the lambs began at the ninth hour (3:00 PM).The Gospels record that Jesus breathed his last at exactly the ninth hour.

Unbroken Bones: The Law strictly forbade breaking any bones of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:46). While Roman soldiers typically broke the legs of those being crucified to hasten death, they found Jesus already dead and did not break his legs.

The Hyssop Branch: During the first Passover, the blood of the lamb was applied to doorposts using a hyssop branch (Exodus 12:22). During the crucifixion, a sponge soaked in wine was offered to Jesus on a branch of hyssop (John 19:29).

Removal Before Sunset: The Passover lamb had to be entirely consumed or disposed of by morning; nothing could remain (Exodus 12:10). Similarly, Jesus’ body was removed from the cross and placed in a tomb before sunset to comply with the coming Sabbath.

As amazing as all this is the pivotal event is the crucifixion - Jesus stood silent before His accusers but on the cross He was not silent… The Cross Says it All.

After a sham of a trial, the crowd turning on Him, Pilate ordering Him to be scourged - Jesus carried his cross toward Golgotha where He had a divine appointment with a man name Simon

The soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross and lifted him up between 2 actual criminals…. Jesus looks out over the crowd gathered.

Luke 23:34 CSB

34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided his clothes and cast lots.

Here He was in the middle of being killed and Jesus pauses to pray, not for Himself but He was petitioning the Father to forgive the very people that hung Him there

This fulfills Jesus’ role as the Great High Priest. He priests job is to mediate between God and man.

Jesus is also highlighting The Nature of Sin (Ignorance vs. Intent): By saying they "do not know what they are doing," Jesus highlights a core theological truth: while the Roman soldiers and religious leaders were physically aware of their actions, they were spiritually blind to the fact that they were crucifying the Lord of Glory.

Jesus also demonstrates unlimited grace.

This statement proves that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. If the people directly responsible for the torture and death of the Son of God could be forgiven, it suggests that no sin is too great to be covered by his sacrifice.

He is also fulfilling Fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12: Written over 700 years earlier, the prophet Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would "pour out his life unto death" and "make intercession for the transgressors." This specific prayer on the cross is the literal fulfillment of that prophecy.

The Scapegoat Parallel: In the Old Testament Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), sins were confessed over a "scapegoat" that carried them away. Here, Jesus acts as the ultimate sacrifice who asks for the removal of the guilt from the people and takes it upon himself.

In the ancient world, "an eye for an eye" was the standard. Jesus prophetically ushered in a New Covenant based on mercy. He practiced exactly what he preached in the Sermon on the Mount: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). - Jesus breaks the cycle of retribution.

Luke 23:43 CSB

43 And he said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

If you ever wonder why Jesus had to die on this particular day? There was a man who needed to meet the Savior and he happened to be on the cross next to Jesus.

Salvation is by grace alone.

This is the ultimate "deathbed conversion." The criminal had no time for good works, baptism, or church membership. He was saved solely through his faith in Jesus' identity and mercy.

We go immediately into the presence of God.

The word "today" is crucial. It suggests that for the believer, there is no "soul sleep" or long waiting period; death is an immediate transition into the presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:8 “8 In fact, we are confident, and we would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” ).

Jesus speaks with the power and authority of the King.

Even while nailed to a cross and appearing defeated, Jesus speaks with the sovereign authority of a King. He doesn't say "I hope so" or “I'll ask the Father"; he grants entry into his kingdom personally.

The word "paradise" (paradeisos) is the same word used in the Greek version of the Old Testament for the Garden of Eden. While the "First Adam" lost paradise through a tree, the "Last Adam" (Jesus) re-opens the gates of paradise while hanging on a tree.

Fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12 (Part 2): Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be “numbered with the transgressors." This moment shows Jesus literally standing (or hanging) in the gap between two sinners.

Jesus is hangin between 2 sinners - one rejects Him but the other accepts Him - this is a perfect illustration representing the 2 possible responses of all humanity to His message.

John 19:26–27 CSB

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son.” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

Even here Jesus remains “others-centered”

Jesus was the oldest son and such he was legally and morally responsible for the care of His mother especially with His earthly father gone.

Some believe this was Jesus establishing a new kind of family - He chose a disciple over a blood relative (his brothers did not yet believe in Him as Messiah) - this demonstrates that spiritual kinship in the kingdom of God takes precedence over blood relations.

It is also possible that by calling her “woman” instead of “mother” Jesus was making the final transition in their relationship - during His earthly ministry Mary followed as one of His disciples but still His mother - in this moment Jesus is no longer son and teacher but her Savior.

Matthew 27:46 CSB

46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Mark 15:34 CSB

34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lemá sabachtháni?” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

Some take Jesus’ words here as a sign that He was not God but that’s because they don’t know scripture

Jesus is actually quoting probably the most Messianic prophetic chapter in the Bible Psalm 22 - David who was a forerunner of the Messiah makes this statement as verse 1

The rest of the chapter goes on to describe the literal effects of crucifixion (which hadn’t been invented when it was written)

While the Psalm begins as a lament it ends in a triumphant declaration of God’s rule over all nations

By quoting it, Jesus signaled that despite the appearance of defeat, He was the long-awaited Messiah fulfilling God’s plan

Jesus bore the full weight of judgment for humanity.

This is point where Jesus as the Lamb of God had all of humanities sins placed on Him

This is the same “forsakenness” that we deserve - Jesus suffered it so we wouldn’t have to.

Not only was Jesus fully God but He was fully human as well and this statement confirms it.

His physical and emotional agony was not an act.

By experiencing the “why” of human suffering Jesus could fully empathize with human weakness in His role as “High Priest”

Even in the midst of the silence and the height of His suffering Jesus held onto the truth He knew - the hope we can have… Jesus said “My God” trusting in His personal relationship with the Father.

John 19:28 CSB

28 After this, when Jesus knew that everything was now finished that the Scripture might be fulfilled, he said, “I’m thirsty.”

Again emphasizing Jesus’ physical nature.

He checks off more Messianic prophecy here Psalm 69:21 “21 Instead, they gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” and Psalm 22:15 “15 My strength is dried up like baked clay; my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You put me into the dust of death.”

We already mentioned the use of the hyssop branch

Jesus is the true and final Passover Lamb

John 19:30 CSB

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

The Greek word is tetelestai - it is finished - there are 5 contexts I want us to see…

The Merchant Context: “Paid in Full” - this is one of the most common secular uses discovered in ancient writing. It was found in business receipts - when a debt was fully settled the merchant would write tetelestai across the document.

Jesus was declaring that the “sin debt” of humanity was no longer outstanding; the transaction was complete and the account was balanced forever.

2. The Priest’s Context: “Without Blemish” - before the lamb was sacrificed in was meticulously inspected. If the priest found no spots he would pronounce the animal tetelestai, meaning it was “perfect” or “fit for sacrifice”

As the “Lamb of God”, Jesus was declaring Himself to be the perfect, acceptable sacrifice required by God.

3. The Servant’s Context: “Mission Accomplished” - when a specific task or journey was finished exactly as requested the servant would say telelestai to signify they had fulfilled their master’s will.

Jesus was reporting to the Father that the work He was sent to do - the redemption of the world - was now fully executed.

4. The Artist’s Context: “The Masterpiece is Complete” - when a painter or sculptor finished a work they would step back to admire it. If there was nothing left to add or improve the artist would say tetelestai to indicate the masterpieces was finished.

The “picture” oof redemption, which God has been painting since the beginning of time through symbols and prophecies was now a complete and perfect work.

5. The Military Context: “The Victory is Won” - while less common in written records many traditions view it as a victor’s shout. A general or soldier might shout this at the end of a hard-fought battle to signal that enemy was defeated and the war was over.

This was not a cry of defeat but a shout of triumph over sin, death, and darkness.

Luke 23:46 CSB

46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit.” Saying this, he breathed his last.

Jesus wasn’t killed, He gave up His life for us.

Unlike a typical victim of crucifixion whose life is taken by force, Jesus voluntarily "yields" or "commits" his spirit.

This demonstrates his divine authority over his own life and death, fulfilling his earlier teaching: (John 10:18 “18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.””

By addressing God as "Father," Jesus signals that the period of spiritual abandonment—expressed in his earlier cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"—has ended.

The debt for sin has been paid, and the intimate communion between the Father and the Son is fully restored.

Jesus again quotes a Psalm - Psalm 31:5 “5 Into your hand I entrust my spirit; you have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth.” - which was a prayer of trust written by King David during a time of great distress - Jesus is identifying as the “Greater David” and the righteous sufferer who is ultimately vindicated by God.

In Jewish tradition the first half of Psalm 31:5 was a standard evening prayer for children. They would go to sleep in their father’s care with the expectation of waking up - death is but sleep and Jesus knows that morning is coming .