Divine Accounting
Notes
Transcript
The Victory of the Atonement
The Victory of the Atonement
Introduction:
At almost every stage of George Muller’s life, it seemed like his accountant would have laughed at the prospect of him moving forward. But, each time God’s accounting provided in a miraculous way for all of their financial needs. While this kind of divine accounting usually leaves scratching our heads, it God’s provision ultimately satisfies all of our deepest needs.
George Muller’s entire life seemed like it was an amazing drama of divine accounting and victory for Jesus.
In every good drama there are several elements that are needed to captivate an audience. Those elements are a growing tension, a moment of climax, and then the resolution of the situation. If you were to draw every good drama it would look like a mountain peak. The story begins down here, then slowly grows and the tension and expectation builds, then there is the long awaited moment of climax. Then after the climactic peak, the drama eventually comes to a close as the situation comes to its resolution.
The drama we’ve been watching throughout chapters 18 and 19 of John’s Gospel is no different. For weeks now the expectations and tensions have been building. Now finally, we come to the climax of our drama. We come to the moment in history to which thousands of years of prophecies have been pointing.
As you find your place in John chapter 19, let’s recall the challenge we received last week.
In John 19:1-16, we were challenged to Behold the Man!… Jesus Christ! The Promised One who was born to bring hope to the world. As we beheld this man, at the close of this corrupt courtroom scene Jesus was sentenced to death and taken away.
This dramatic play continues to grow towards its climax as the tensions in the air grow. Let’s pick up the play in verse 17 and see the Progressing tensions as they grow towards their final climax.
I. Progressing Tension: (17-27)
and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’ ” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”
When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says,
“They divided my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.”
So the soldiers did these things,
Let’s pause our reading there for a moment and consider what is happening here as a King is prophetically crucified.
A. A King is Crucified (17-24)
When I read this passage, the image of a hill far away… stands an old rugged cross… comes to the forefront of my mind.
Most people like that image because it puts the cross of Jesus Christ a safe distance away from us and our realities.
(illustration of Woman at Panera on Friday morning: Oh yeah.... Jesus is free… but don’t expect me to change for him.... or give him anything)
The truth is that the cross on which Christ suffered was not on a hill far away… it was on the street near the crowd… sandwiched between two death row inmates.
Roman Crucifixion was meant to be a public and personal display. It was meant to humiliate the criminal and burn an image in the minds of all who would pass by, what the price was for rebelling against Caesar.
It’s interesting that God chooses the cross to be a picture of his love. As Jesus hangs on the cross, God’s love for mankind is being expressed through this ultimate act of atonement.
To take the picture of God’s love even further, Jesus is placed in the center of two other crosses.... illustrating how God’s love would be dispensed to the world.
The enemies of Christ intended for the position of Christ’s cross to be his final disgrace and shame. Hanging between two convicted thieves… as if Christ was no better.
But, instead of this scene bringing shame and disgrace.... the arrangement of the scene was actually the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:12
He “was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sins of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”
We are those transgressors.
Picture 3 crosses on a chalk board. The two outer crosses have in written under them. The middle cross has not in written under it. This is a picture of how sin and the cross worked.
When we look at the Cross, the thieves on either side of Jesus were were bearing the penalty of God.
“Have you ever stole something?” “Yes.” “Were you caught?” “No.” … When you stole that candy you had sin in you. If you would have been caught, you would have had sin on you.
Now picture those 3 crosses and imagine the word “on” above Christ’s Cross”. He bore your sins. There was no sin in him, but the sin of the world was laid on him.
When that thief on the cross expressed faith in Christ, his sins rested on Christ by virtue of his faith in Christ.” How about you? Have your sins been laid on Christ?
We can know for sure that we have been forgiven. As we think of the image of Christ’s love in the cross.... we also see the cost of that love. The Son of God hangin by his arms. His muscles unable to respond. Fighting to raise himself up for each breath.
Just reflect on the truth of how much Christ loves us!
John’s gospel tells us very little about the crucifixion because everyone of that day would have known the details very well. The Romans had made sure that crucifixion processions were as common as funeral marches.
Jesus was placed in the center of a 4 soldier company and the crossbeam (normally weighting over 100 pounds) was placed on his torn and beaten shoulders.
As Jesus climbs the hill of calvary carrying the wood that would be used in his own sacrifice in order to fulfill the will of the Father, we are reminded of the time in Genesis when Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice as he climbed Mt. Moriah with his father. (Gen. 22:6)
As Christ stumbled along the route, it would have been common to have an officer walking before him carrying a placard describing the prisoner’s crime.
Verse 19 is where we see Pilate, getting in the final word by writing on the placard “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews”. After trying to release Jesus with all he had, Pilate writes Jesus’ offense in every trade language, so that all would know exactly who this was and why he was being crucified.
The Jew’s were upset that Pilate wrote this description, but Pilate’s words were final. He says in verse 22, “What I have written, I have written.” The grammar of this statement literally translates to..
“what I have written, I have written, and it will always remain written.” Even though the enemies of Jesus were disgusted by this thought… Jesus, the King, was still in control.
As a young child the wise men from the East has heralded Jesus as a King (Matt. 2:2). At the beginning of this Passion week, the crowds had yelled, “Blessed is the King of Israel!” (John 12:13). Standing before Pilate, Christ had himself stated the truths of his “kingdom” (18:36-37). Now, walking the way of the cross, Jesus’ royal title was being pronounced. Jesus walked up the hill to Golgotha being crucified as a King. Thank God that the Bible doesn’t end here! Praise the Lord that there is so much more!
We are told in Revelation 19:16 that Jesus will come back as “King of kings and Lord of lords”. Jesus’ rule will be eternal and universal!
Here is where the rub is for many people. If Jesus is King then it means that as our King... Jesus makes demand of his followers!
From the cross, Jesus is demanding that we respond to Him by faith and bow to his lordship. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross demands our absolute submission. Christ demands to live our lives for us!
That is why Paul would later write in Galatians 2:20,
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Let’s turn our attention back to this crucifixion scene.
It was standard operating procedure to have the one being crucified led to the site of his execution by the longest route possible. The Roman’s wanted everyone to see that crime doesn’t pay. Interestingly enough, this was also done so that the Roman’s could see if anyone would speak up in the defense of the accused.
As Christ stumbled up what is now called the “Via Dolorosa”.. the way of the cross… he was so weak from the scourging that a man who was standing along the procession route was drafted to carry Jesus’ cross the rest of the way.
Jesus finally comes to Golgotha and the soldiers drive the nails through his wrists and hoist the cross beam up on to the vertical pole… and with a thud, gravity pulls Jesus towards the ground where the cross member comes to a halt.... and the air in Jesus’ lungs is pressed out of his body.
Now the crucifixion begins.
John tells us that once Jesus was on the cross, the 4 soldiers that had been charged with escorting him to his place of execution begin to divide his clothing into 4 parts. It was customary for the prisoners belongings to be given to the executioners. Kind of like a perk of the job, I guess.
Every Jewish male would wear certain clothing. Jesus would have been no different. Every Jewish male would have worn 5 pieces of clothing: sandals, a turban, a belt, and inner tunic, and an outer robe.
It isn’t hard to picture what happened. Each soldier began choosing one of the less expensive pieces of clothing. Then, they come to the tunic, which would have been worn next to the skin. The most expensive piece of clothing. John tells us in verse 23 that his tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.
Knowing that it would be foolish to divide the garment, the soldiers begin gambling to see who would take the prize. Little did these soldiers know that they were fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 22:18.
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
It is amazing to see God’s plan coming to its conclusion. Centuries earlier David had written these words about the promised Messiah… and now they are being lived out by the Messiah himself!
At each stage of Jesus’ crucifixion… Scripture is being fulfilled!
Just imagine how cold hearted these men were. I mean they dealt with death all the time so they had probably become pretty numb to it. It’s bad enough to take a dead man’s stuff… but they were gambling over Jesus’ belongings while He was still a live. He could probably even see them. That’s cold!
Why does God include this in His Word? — This scene with these 4 Roman soldiers is a picture of what the world looks like without God. As Christ suffers to provide atonement for mankind… the world looks on with distain and neglects the sacrificial atoning death Christ provides.
These soldiers illustrate the mission field to which we are sent. The world is a cold place without Christ. Our mission as believers is to be the light, which brings the warmth of the gospel to every person we encounter.
In the shadow of the cold world illustrated by these Romans soldiers, John contrasts their coldness with some warmth. As Christ is neglected by the world, Christ does not neglect those who belong to him.
Let’s look at verse 25 together as Jesus demonstrates Care from the Cross.
B. Care from the Cross (25-27)
but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Beside these 4 cold romans soldiers.... 4 others stand at the foot of the cross. These verses tell us that “Mary, his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas (which could be one of the individuals who later walks along the road to Emmaus in Luke 24), and Mary Magdalene and John (the apostle that Jesus loved) are nearby. Each of these people had a very personal connection with Jesus.
It is no accident that the Holy Spirit inspired John to place Jesus’ warm and loving heart response to these 4 women in stark contrast to actions of these 4 cold-hearted soldiers.
God wants us to see that even in Jesus’ hour of sacrifice… he was demonstrating his loving heart as he cared and provided for his own.
In the middle of Christ’s suffering on the cross, he takes time to address his mother.
The way the Jesus’ words are expressed in verses 26-27 show that Jesus was very much in control. Jesus is in agony on the cross… He was in limitless pain... yet the Greek indicates that Jesus’ words at this moment were tender instructions that reveal the depth of his love and care for his own.
John was apparently the only disciple at the cross. As he watches he stands by Mary, supporting her.
This event and instruction from Jesus shows us that “these two belonged together. They belonged together because they were both losing in Jesus’ death more than the rest. Mary was losing her son, John was losing the master who loved him beyond the rest.” (R.C.H. Lenski, Preaching on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1973), pp. 47-48.
As John and Mary looked at the misery and mutilation of their greatest love, Christ gathered all of his strength and gasped, “John, this is your moth, and, Mary this is your son.” In obedience John took Mary as his surrogate mother.
Christ’s care for us comes in the form of responsibility. Some people think that the more we love God, the less he may ask of us, and the lighter our burdens will be. But, that is not necessarily our reality.
If we love Jesus, then he will make use of our love.
Mary and those at the foot of the cross found their comfort in Jesus’ atoning work for them. In just a few days those standing at the foot of the cross would receive a growing sense of grace and freedom as they realize the refreshment of having their sins forgiven.
In the fallen world in which we live, Christ still offers loving care and provision for those who belong to Him. His love for us is so deep that he experienced untold agony for us and through his atonement, he meets our deepest needs.
The dramatic tensions have grown as the King is crucified… but even through his crucifixion Jesus our Lord demonstrates care from the cross. Now our drama comes to its Prophetic Climax as we look at verse 28.
II. Prophetic Climax (28-37)
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
As we come to the climax of this divine drama, Jesus makes some prophetic statements that are worth our time and attention.
Jesus actually makes 3 declarations from the cross. “I thirst”,” It is finished”, and “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit”. Only 2 of those declarations are recorded for us here in John, and the third is recorded in Luke 23:46. Let’s consider the two that John records for us and look at verse 28 where Jesus says, “I thirst”.
A. I Thirst (28-29)
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth.
John tells us that Jesus said this (I thirst) in order to fulfill Scripture. Which Scripture could have predicted that there would be a jar of sour wine (vinegar) standing near by?
They gave me poison for food,
and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.
By saying, “I thirst” the actions of the Romans soldiers fulfill the messianic prophecy of Psalm 69:21.
As the sour wine is passed to the lips of the Messiah… the prophetic dominos are falling… progressing God’s plan of redemption one step closer to their fulfillment.
No details is out of place. Even the branch used to offer the wine to Jesus is a foreshadowing of divine providence.
Which Scriptures would have foreshadowed the use of hyssop to carry the sour wine that would grace the Messiah’s lips and spill over his sacrificial body during this dark time when the atonement for our sins was taking place?
Passages like Exodus 12:22 may have been brought to John’s mind as he recorded these events.
Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning.
Just as the Passover lambs blood was shed and smeared over the doorposts to cover the sins of Israel, Jesus’ blood was shed so that our sins could be washed away. John reminds his readers of the connection between the sacrifice of the Passover lambs back in Egypt with Jesus’ sacrifice as the Romans use a branch of hyssop to offer Jesus drink.
Each time in this passage where we are told that something happened to fulfill Scripture, it was all orchestrated so that there would be no question about the significance of Christ’s ministry on the cross.
Later the Holy Spirit would inspire Paul to write in 1 Cor. 15:3 that “Christ dies for our sins according to the Scriptures”. Those Scriptures that Paul is alluding to are these very passages that Christ fulfilled on the cross as well as many others that Christ fulfilled throughout his life and ministry.
After Jesus’ prophetic cry, I thirst.... Jesus utters another phrase that climactically fulfilled God’s plan of redemption. It is finished.
B. It is Finished (30)
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Once Jesus had fulfilled that last bit of prophecy, he lets out this shout of victory.... “Tetelestai!” Which is an accounting term that means… it is finished and will always be finished… it is paid in full and will always be paid!
What had Christ finished? He had completed and fulfilled the Law itself. Jesus had fulfilled the Messianic prophecies, he had fulfilled the Old Testament ceremonial laws… and most importantly he had finished the atonement.... paying the penalty for our sins… paying the sin debt that each of us owes to God… but could never pay.
It is a horrible picture.... but a beautiful work that Christ did.
The words of Philip Bliss come to mind… “Lifted up was He to die, “It is finished!” was his cry; Now in heav’n exalted high: Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
Jesus didn’t cry out because he was fed up with this horrible pain and death. No, he cried out in victory because “God had made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21).
At that moment, Jesus became a curse for us and was separated from God the Father so that we would never have to experience eternal punishment for our sins.
In the Jewish mind, to be cursed was to be separated from God. To have God’s blessing was to have his face look upon you with approval. Jesus had never known anything but the face of the Father. They had worked together in the creation of the universe. They had been one another’s delight in the God-head. But now… as Jesus bore our sins, he became a curse.
Christ suffered total separation from God the Father as he bore our penalty. Then, with a victorious and possibly even joy-filled shout… He yells… “It is finished!”
Jesus paid it all.
Because He has already paid everything… our responsibility and opportunity is to come to Him with empty hands. We can’t come to Christ with any of our own works or goodness. That would be the ultimate insult to him.
No, we have to come to Jesus just like that thief who hung beside him. Empty handed… clinging to the cross.
Conclusion/ Application (38-40)
A miracle took place that day.
The miracle of salvation was made possible through the death of the perfect sinless sacrifice… Jesus Christ. Now, all those who place their faith in him alone will never have to be separated from God but will be able to enjoy eternal fellowship with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!
Once this Prophetic Climax comes to pass, all the tensions have been resolved… and now the drama recorded in chapters 18 and 19 comes to a close.
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
On the cross, Jesus provided the payment for your sins. Through that Cross, God opened up the offer of his grace to us.
While God’s grace can be freely accepted by mankind.... it came at a cost.
True grace isn’t cheap. It cost the life of the sinless Son of God.
As we reflect on all that Christ is done.... let’s never minimize God’s grace and present it as a cheap party favor that can be taken or left.
Bonhoeffer said, “cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.
Grace is costly because it cost a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his son.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York: Macmillan, 1977), pp. 47-48.)
Grace is extended to us freely… Yes, it’s a gift! But let’s never forget the extremely high cost it took to purchase grace for us.
Jesus atoned for the sins of mankind! He paid the debt we all owe… but could never afford!
As you reflect on this passage throughout the week, reflect on these truths:
- Through the Cross, God demonstrated how much he loves you!
- (Because God loves us) we are to bring the warmth of the gospel to every person we encounter.
- If we love Jesus, he will make use of our love. Like Jesus we are to share Jesus’ care and provision
- Christ has atoned for our sins… paying once and for all the sin debt we all own, but could never afford.
- (Because it is finished) The only way we can come to Christ will empty hands and open hearts
- Grace is not cheap. Let’s never treat it like it is. — Becoming a child of God means bowing to King Jesus and living our lives under the demands of His rule. Those demands are surrendering every aspect of our lives to him.... living, loving, and serving like him as we are transformed into his image…
Even though this drama has come to a close… I hope you never tire of rehearsing it in your minds, hearts, and mouths. As we prepare to celebrate the Lord’s Table today, let’s take some time and reflect on all that Christ has done.... how high the cost of His grace… and yet how freely He offers it to us.
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As the music plays, we will take a few minutes and just reflect on what Christ has done through the atonement.... and talk with God.
Use this time to confess and repent of any sins you may have. Before we come to the Lord’s table, let’s make sure our hearts are right with the Lord. When we come to celebrate the Lord’s table… we are to come with clean hearts.... not holding any sin in our hearts.