It is Finished: The Goodness of The Cross
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Intro
Tonight we will get off of Colossians for this week because it’s Holy Week.
A lot of Jesus ministry occured this week.
On Saturday,
Jesus arrived in Bethany (John 12:1) and ate Supper
On Sunday (Palm Sunday)
Jesus had the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem where crowds shouted Hosanna. Jesus wept over Jerusalem.
Monday -
Jesus cursed the fig tree and it withered. He cleansed the Temple (2nd time)
12 Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. 13 He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” 14 The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15 The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. 16 They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” 17 Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.
Tuesday -
On the way to the temple, Jesus cursed the fig tree. Matt 21:18-19
18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, 19 and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.
Jesus last day at the temple. His authority is challenged by the Sanhedrin. (Mark 11:27-12:12; Matt 21:23-24:14; Luke 20:1-9)
He taught Parables: (Matt 25)
Two Sons
The Vineyard
The Marriage Feast
The 10 Virgins
The Talents
He is questioned about (Matt 22:41-46)
Paying tribute to Caesar
The resurrection
Which is the Greatest Commandment
How could David’s son be His Lord
He blasted the scribes and Pharisees
Observed the Widow giving her two mites - (Luke 21:1-4)
Final departure from the temple.
He taught on the Mount of Olives
Destruction of Jerusalem
2nd Coming
Final Judgement scene
Wednesday
Quiet Day at Bethany
Judas conspires against Him. (Matt 26:14-16)
Mary anointed Jesus feet. (Matt 26:6-13)
Thursday
Washed Disciples feet
At the Last Supper (Matt 26:17-35) (Luke 22:14-20)
Predicted Peter’s denial & Judas betrayal
Prayed and agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:36-46)
Judas betrayed Him (Matt 26:47-56)
He was arrested
Friday
Taken and tried before
Annas -
Caiaphas (Matt 26:57)
The Sandhedrin (Matt 26:59)
Pilate (Matt 27:11-26) (Luke 23:1)
Herod (Luke 23:11)
Pilate - (Matt 27:26)
Denied by Peter 3 times - (Matt 26:69-75)
Flogged by the Romans (Matt 27:26)
Crucified - (Matt 27:31-56) (Luke 23:33)
Saturday
His Body was in the tomb - (Matt 27:62-66)
Sunday
The Resurrection (Matt 28:1-20)
He began His post resurrection appearances.
That’s a lot in a week.
Tonight we will focus on Good Friday. Can you believe it? We call the day Jesus was crucified Good Friday… not because it was pleasant, but because of what was accomplished.
On this day, Jesus, the innocent SOG was betrayed, mocked, scourged, and nailed to a Roman Cross. He endured unimaginable physical torment: the crown of thorns, the lashes that tore his flesh off of his body, the nails that were driven through his wrist and feet, and the slow suffocation of crucifixion.
But the deepest agony was spiritual. He bore the weight of the worlds sin and experienced separation from His Father.
We call this Good Friday because at the cross, God’s mercy and justice met.
Good Friday is when God’s mercy and justice met and the penalty for our sins was paid in full.
Good Friday is when God’s mercy and justice met and the penalty for our sins was paid in full.
As Jesus hung on the cross He cried out, It is finished.
You can see it in John 19:30.
30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
The Greek word for “It is finished” is tetelestai - a term used in ancient times to stamp Paid in full on a debt.
Tetelestai - Paid in Full
Tetelestai - Paid in Full
Jesus death completed the work of salvation. Nothing more needs to be added… no ritual… no good deed… no self effort. Nothing can improve Jesus work on the cross.
You don’t need to clean up, dress different… none of that… Just come to the cross.
We tend to sanitize the crucifixition, but the Gospels don’t.
Soldiers gambled for his clothes (Mark 15:24)
People passing by mocked him. (Matt 27:39-40)
One of the criminals threw insults at Him. (Luke 23:39)
Darkness covered the land in the middle of the afternoon as Jesus cried out, “My God My God why have you forsaken me?” These were the opening words of Psalm 22. In that moment, He who knew no sin was made sin for us. 2 CO 5:21
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
The Holy God turned His face away because He cannot look upon sin. Jesus took on the full wrath that we deserved so that we would never have to.
Isa 53 told of this centuries earlier. Isa 53:5
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
He was despised, rejected… a man of suffering… but he never opened His mouth in protest. Like a lamb being led to the slaughter, He willingly went to the cross for you and for me.
Jesus 7 last words give a glimpses of grace in the middle of agony.
Jesus 7 last words give a glimpses of grace in the middle of agony.
From the cross Jesus spoke words that reveal His heart even in unspeakable pain.
1. Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.
1. Father forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.
Jesus forgave His executioners while they were killing him.
2. Today you will be with me in paradise…
2. Today you will be with me in paradise…
43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In the middle of being executed, Jesus gave hope for the dying criminal who simply believed that Jesus was the SOG.
3. Woman behold your son… behold your mother.
3. Woman behold your son… behold your mother.
26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
In his suffering, he made sure His mother was taken care of. None of his brothers were believers until after the resurrection, so they may not have been there. News didn’t travel then like it does now.
Mary had been widowed and Jesus himself had been taking care fo her and He wanted his mama to be taken care of so He told John to do it.
4. My God My God, why have you forsaken me?
4. My God My God, why have you forsaken me?
46 At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
The cost of Jesus bearing our sin was separation from His Father. This line is the opening line of Psalm 22 and is not a prayer of question or even despair, but in the context of the Psalm it is expectation of deliverance.
Jesus would temporarily be separated from His Father the moment he took our sins upon himself because God cannot look upon sin. Habakkuk 1:13 “But you are pure and cannot stand the sight of evil. Will you wink at their treachery? Should you be silent while the wicked swallow up people more righteous than they?”
This separation was the cup Jesus dreaded in the Garden while he was praying. The physical agony was horrible, but the separation was worse. Jesus suffered this so that we would never have to be separated from God.
The people there thought he was calling for Elijah to come rescue him. The Jews expected Elijah to come rescue those who were suffering.
5. I thirst…
5. I thirst…
28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”
Jesus knew he had done what needed to be done for the payment of our sins. He had accomplished His mission. At the moment of His death He was successful. He was about to surrender His life to His Fahter who would carry out the crowning touch of the plan… the resurrection of Jesus from the grave.
Some scholars believe this fulfills the scripture Psalm 69:21 “… they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst.” So when he said I am thirsty and they gave him the vinegar he fulfilled that prophecy.
Other scholars point to Psalm 42:2 “I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?” This affirms Jesus submission to the Father.
In either case, the scripture was fulfilled.
6. It is finished! Tetelestai
6. It is finished! Tetelestai
30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
This was Jesus declaration of victory. He had accomplished His mission. Tetelestai means paid in full. Jesus paid for your sin and my sin in full.
Until this point, sin could only be atoned for through the sacrificial system. Sin separates people from God and only through the sacrifice of an animal, a substitute, and faith could people be cleansed. But people sin all the time so frequent sacrifices were offered.
When Jesus was sacrificed, it was once and for all time. He took son upon himself and paid the price for all of our sin. Heb 10:12-18
12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says, 16 “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” 18 And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.
Jesus declared the victory.
7. Father into your hands I commit my spirit.
7. Father into your hands I commit my spirit.
46 Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
That Jesus had a voice at all show tremendous will on His part. But he shouted this from the cross committing His spirit to His Father.
Jesus died fulfilling the words of Psalm 31:5 “I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.” Jesus didn’t faint only to be revived later… He died and breathed His last. Jesus died as a human being… voluntarily and sacrificially for our sins… in our place.
These are the words of our Savior who was fully human… feeling pain, thirst, and abandonment… but fully God… offering forgiveness, promising paradise, and completing redemption of the world.
Why was the cross Necessary? For forgiveness
Why was the cross Necessary? For forgiveness
We often downplay sin or treat the cross as merely an example of love or suffering. But the Bible is clear.
Our sin separates us from a Holy God.
Our sin separates us from a Holy God.
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
The wages of our sin is death.
The wages of our sin is death.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
No amount of religious effort or moral improvement could bridge that gap. Only a perfect substitute could pay that debt.
Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God took our place.
Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God took our place.
He tasted death so that we would not have to. Heb 2:9
9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.
The cross was not a tragedy that God fixed on Easter Sunday with the resurrection. It was the plan all along. Paul said in 2 CO 5:19
19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
When Jesus died the veil of the temple split in two from top to bottom opening the way into God’s presence for everyone who come through Jesus.
What do we need to do?
What do we need to do?
1. We need to come to the Cross in Repentance and Faith.
1. We need to come to the Cross in Repentance and Faith.
Like the thief that repented, we just need to simply turn to Jesus and trust Him. Your past failures, your guilt… everything was nailed to the cross with Jesus.
2. We need to live in the freedom of “It is finished.”
2. We need to live in the freedom of “It is finished.”
Stop striving to earn God’s favor. Rest in the completed work of Jesus on the Cross. His blood cleanses us from all of our sin.
7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
Jesus blood not our actions cleanses us from sin.
3. Focus on the Love of God.
3. Focus on the Love of God.
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
The cross proves that love is not cheap sentiment—it is costly, self-giving, and victorious.
God loves you so much that He was willing to send Jesus to die for you.
4. Take the Cross to a hurting world.
4. Take the Cross to a hurting world.
As followers of Jesus, the crucified Lord and Savior, we enter other’s suffering with compassion, offering the same hope that we have received.
Conclusion
Good Friday shows us that the path to Easter… the path to resurrection goes through the Cross. Jesus did not stay dead… Sunday is coming. But tonight, we will linger here, at the foot of the cross, in solemn wonder.
We do not mourn like those who have no hope. We worship the one who loved us enough to die in our place.
As you reflect on Good Friday, hear Jesus declaration one more time…
It is finished!
It is finished!
Your debt paid. Your sins are forgiven. You are loved. You are free.
Pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for the cross. We stand in awe of Your Son's sacrifice. Help us never to take it lightly. Draw us closer to Jesus today, and fill us with gratitude and hope. In His name, Amen
Salvation Prayer
Altar time -
Maybe you need to come to the cross - Here is the altar…
Maybe you are saved, but not living in the freedom of It is finished. Here is the altar.
Maybe you don’t live in the knowledge of the Love of Jesus. Here is the altar.
Maybe you want to say, I’ll take the message out to a hurting world… Here is the altar.
Friends, Relatives, Associates, neighbors.
