Cries from the Cross

Friday: The Death of Jesus Christ

Introduction- The sixth week of our Lent series, “The Week that Changed the World”. Let’s see if you can recognize or decipher what these phrases are:

“It is very beautiful over there.”

– Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

“OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.”

– Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

“Friends applaud, the comedy is finished.”

– Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)

“Why should I talk to you? I’ve just been talking to your boss.”

– Playwright Wilson Mizner (1876-1933)

“Mom, go get my shoes, I’m taking my walk with Jesus now.”

– Robert E. Quakenbush Sr., (Pastor Charlie’s grandfather) (1918-2003)

The last words someone says before they die are pretty significant. Knowing that causes us to pause and think deeply. This is definitely true of the last things that Jesus Christ said as He died on the cross.

The Lord Jesus Christ was crucified at 9:00 am in the morning on Friday of the Holy week, and hung there until some time after 3:00 pm. Scripture records that he spoke or cried out 7 times while He hung there on the cross.

Jesus made 7 profound statements that are still powerful today nearly 2,000 years later. This morning I want to briefly examine these 7 statements from the cross. We will see what was most important to Jesus Christ when He died.

Jesus made 3 statements during the first 3 hours of the crucifixion. The 3 statements show  His love for people.

1. “Father, forgive them.”

Luke 23:33–34 NIV

33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Crucifixion was one of the most brutal and shameful forms of punishment.. Invented by the Phoenicians originally, and used by the Romans on slaves and criminals. Mark's gospel says that it was the 3rd hour or 9:00 am in the morning when they  crucified Christ. Golgotha was in public view so that all coming in or out of Jerusalem would see those crucified, the punishment was on display for all to see.

Jesus is asking the Father to forgive those who were responsible for His death. This was a very different response than the usual criminal gave. People being crucified usually swore, and cursed those who crucified them, because of their great pain. Jesus expresses his deep and abiding love for mankind, and even those specific men who have driven the nails. He prays that they might be given further opportunity for salvation. He is demonstrating exactly what he taught his disciples:

Luke 6:27–28 NIV

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

This highlights God's great love for us all.

Pilate, Herod and the religious leaders acted wickedly, it was all of our sins that nailed Jesus Christ to the cross.

Jesus gave His life for us, so that we might be forgiven.

Since He forgave those who crucified Him, He forgives us also.

2. "Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:40–43 NIV

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus Christ died with 2 criminals. He had associated with sinners during His life and now in His death he was with them again. Shortly after He was nailed to the cross, people began to mock them all. The religious leaders taunted Him to come down from the cross if He was the Son of God. But Christ didn't answer them a word. Scripture records that even the 2 men crucified with him began to mock Jesus also. They asked Him to save Himself and them if He really was the Christ. But as one of the thieves watched Jesus Christ silently suffering, he realized what it all meant.

The man understood that their punishment was just and deserved. They had broken the laws of men and of God. They totally deserved their punishment. However the Lord Jesus Christ was innocent and did not deserve to die. I believe that it was the witness of Christ's death that had touched His heart. He heard Him forgive the men who had terribly mistreated all three of them.

He saw the self control and demeanor of the Son of God and came under conviction of his own deep need. He knew that Christ could save Him. In faith he reached out to the Saviour and asked for mercy.

This was tremendous faith from someone who was himself in great agony. He placed his faith in a Messiah that was dying. This man obviously believed that Jesus Christ would conquer death and receive His kingdom. The thief ignored the ridicule of the observers. He found peace through faith in Jesus Christ. He started on the cross as a common criminal who deserved hell. But found God's Favor through faith in Jesus Christ and became a child of God. Just like that— He didn’t need to clean himself up, he wasn’t baptised, he didn’t even pray the sinners prayer. But he repented, believed, and was saved.

Romans 10:13 (NIV)

13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

3. “Woman, behold, your son”.

John 19:26–27 ESV

26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

As Jesus Christ suffered on the cross He noticed Mary standing by with the disciple He loved, John. Even though Jesus was suffering greatly on the cross, He was concerned for His mother. He reaches out to her. He assures her with his words. Obviously they had a very special relationship. It’s as if Jesus is reassuring her that He is in the Father’s will. That this whole thing has played out just as it was supposed to. We can only imagine Mary, looking into the face of her 1st born son— much like she did about 33 years ago in a stable. With this interaction, Jesus is telling her that John would care for her now. Then He charged John to look after His mother on His behalf. History tells us that John took care of her from this point on.

Christ's love and concern for others never fails.

If Christ shows this concern for his family and others when He was in such great pain, think of how much He loves you and I. He forgave those who crucified Him. He received the criminal on his death bed. He provided closure and confidence for His mother. What love. He shows in these first three statements, these cries from the cross, his GREAT love and care for us. He lives out what he stated in

John 10:14–15 NIV

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:17–18 ESV

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

These remaining 4 statements— or cries from the cross are much more intimate, even more personal— they are a bit more focused on Jesus and the very inner condition of his soul at this point. They reflect Jesus’ state of being, his interactions with God the Father, and they have cosmic applications to the ultimate mission Jesus set out and accomplished.

4. “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

Mark 15:34 NIV

34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Jesus made His first 3 cries between 9:00 am and 12:00 am. At 12:00 noon darkness covered the land as Jesus Christ bore the sins of the world. Darkness is a very suitable resemblance of sin. Jesus Christ the light of the world took upon Him the sins of the whole world. Satan and his fallen angels were no doubt present gloating over the whole scene.

A Roman historian, named Phlegon, mentions an extraordinary solar eclipse and earthquake about the time of the crucifixion. During the 3 hours of darkness Jesus Christ did not say a word. He felt the agony and horror of sin which He had never experienced before. For now He was carrying all the sins of the whole world upon Himself. Peter would go on to write about this later in his ministry:

1 Peter 2:24 NIV

24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

He is referring us back to the powerful passage written by Isaiah:

Isaiah 53:5–6 NIV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

It was at the end of the 3 hours of darkness that Jesus cried out to His Father. He asked why His Father had forsaken Him. These words come from Psalm 22, where David describes in vivid detail what Christ experienced on the cross.

Psalm 22:1–2 NIV

1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

Psalm 22:14–16 NIV

14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted within me. 15 My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. 16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.

Psalm 22:17–19 NIV

17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. 18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment. 19 But you, Lord, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

God had forsaken Christ because Jesus was bearing our sin in His body. God cannot look at sin and therefore broke off His fellowship with His Son at this time.

Jesus Christ experienced death, separation from God, for us. The Father had to forsake His Son as He received the punishment for sin.

But, Jesus still trusted His Father, referring to Him as My God.

Hebrews 2:9–10 (ESV)

9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

If you have ever felt like God has turned away from you. Jesus is the one who can whisper in your ear— My Father turned away from me too. I know how that feels. But he actually hasn’t turned away from you, because he did turn away from me.

5. “I am thirsty.”

John 19:28 NIV

28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Christ now knew that He had fulfilled His Father's will. He had completed what the Scriptures foretold of Him. His suffering was sufficient to pay for mankind's punishment. Now all that was required was His sacrificial death. After more than 6 hours of suffering on the cross Jesus was very thirsty. His mouth was dry and He asked for a drink so that He could make a loud cry that all would hear. This drink was also a fulfillment of Scripture.

Psalm 69:21 (NIV)

21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

John 19:29 NIV

29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.

6. “It is finished.”

John 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

What Jesus Christ knew in verse 28 He now cried out in verse 30. In Hebrew he says “tetalistai” This could be translated it stands finished. All the gospels tell us that Jesus cried out with a loud voice just before He died. This statement was spoken loudly enough for all to hear. What was finished? His suffering, sure, but much more than that. That word tetalistai mean a number of things. It means the completion of a task.

“Tetalistai” (many meanings, all wonderful!)

The task is completed

Jesus Christ had completed God's work of salvation for mankind, and it will always remain completed. Jesus cries out in victory. Death did not mean defeat, but accomplishing the purpose of his life. Jesus Christ had conquered Satan, sin and death.

The sacrifice is accepted

It was also the words used by the priests when an acceptable sacrifice was presented at the altar. Jesus Christ the Lamb of God had offered Himself as God's perfect sacrifice. There would be no need for further sacrifices and altars. Jesus Christ had fulfilled it all.

The story is finished

The word was also used when an artist had completed a picture, or a writer had finished a story.  The story of salvation had now been finished. Jesus had complete the message of God’s love and salvation for us!

The debt is paid

Probably the most meaningful description is that of the merchants: The debt is paid in full. On the cross, Jesus Christ had paid the price of our redemption. He paid the debt that we owed God through our sin.

7. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Luke 23:46 NIV

46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Having accomplished the plan of salvation, Jesus Christ committed His spirit to the Father's keeping. He totally trusted the Father.

Christ's faith in God was not shaken through His crucifixion.

Having said this, Jesus Christ gave up his Spirit. Jesus Christ gave His life voluntarily. No one took it from Him. His death was unlike any other.

And so these are the last words of Jesus, they happen to be directly from Old Testament scripture— powerful words we should never forget:

Psalm 31:5 NIV

5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

At this very moment a dramatic change happened in the temple. Something the chief priests and teachers of the law couldn’t explain. But we know exactly why this happened.

Mark 15:38 ESV

38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

The 30 foot high curtain  in the temple, keeping people separated from the Most Holy place-- was torn from top to bottom to show that man could come directly into God's presence. We no longer need altars, priests and sacrifices. There is no barrier now. Jesus Christ has fulfilled all, He has completed our salvation.

Jesus death was no accident. It wasn't because of injustice. He was not a martyr. Rather Jesus died willingly in our place. He bore our sins on the cross by choice. Have you accepted Him as your saviour? He alone can save you from your sin! Because of Christ's death and resurrection you can receive forgiveness and eternal life. You can come  directly into God's presence.

This morning I hope you have come to understand what Christ has done for us in a deeper way. 

I must ask you— Have you personally received Jesus Christ as your Saviour? If you have not, or if you have doubts— today can be the day that you make your decision. Today can be the day that you settle it forever.

If this is your situation, this morning I would to encourage you to do something. If you feel God pulling at your heart — You might wonder, What do you need to do?

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

In a moment, I will pray a prayer of commitment. If you would like to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I would invite you to pray this prayer in your own heart with me. Just repeat the words quietly in your heart after me.

Prayer Of Commitment    Could everyone bow their heads and close their eyes please.

Dear Lord Jesus this morning I have heard of how You died for my sin. I believe that your death on the cross paid the debt of my sin. Thank you for dying for me. Lord Jesus please come into my heart and cleanse me from my sin. I ask you to be my Lord and Saviour from this day forward. Amen.

If you have made that commitment here today— let someone know about it! We can help encourage you in your faith, getting you some good books to read, or into a smaller group of friends to encourage you.