At the Foot of the Cross
Seven Statements Spoken
John 19:25-27 Monte T. Brown
April 23, 2006 Sunday Night
First Baptist Riverton
Introduction
As you already very well know, last week was The Passion Week, throughout the Christian world reflect upon that day almost 2,000 years ago as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ made that triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
So enthusiastic were the people in welcoming Him that crowds lined the streets, throwing flowers, and spreading their cloaks on the road as a carpet for Him.
Following the traditional method of welcoming kings, they cut palm branches & waved them in the air before Him.
In face of such a wild and tumultuous event, the Pharisees who had been plotting against Jesus cried out in despair, Look how the whole world has gone after Him! John 11:19b
But you also know how quickly everything changed.
In just a few days the shouts of Hosanna! turned into Crucify Him! Crucify Him!
And so it was they crucify Him!
Crucifixion was a slow & horrible way to die.
According to the Roman law, this slow and horrible torture was reserved for only the worst of criminals, those whose death could serve as an example to the people of the mighty power of the Roman government.
Most of the time, as we talk about the cross, we picture the terribleness of that scene.
We speak of the nails that where driven into His hand and His feet.
We see Him hanging there suspended between heaven and earth, as the crowd passes by laughing and mocking at Him.
If you are the Christ, come down from the cross, and we’ll believe in you then! He saved others, but Himself He cannot save. Matthew 27:40-42
It seems that the only time we hear a message about Calvary is around Easter.
Have we limited the number of times we can preach a message on Calvary, in fear of sounding repetitious?
I believe that Calvary should be preached all the time.
Charles Spurgen once said, No matter were you start a message, make sure you always end up at the cross.
William R. Newell pinned these words of a great old song:
Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it wad for me He died on Calvary.
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty At Calvary.
The justice of God was satisfied at Calvary when Christ paid the penalty for our sins on the Cross.
The mercy of God was satisfied at Calvary because we did not have to suffer the penalty of sin, a penalty we so richly deserved.
Jesus spoke seven statements from the Cross-, each statement showing a different aspect of Calvary’s function.
The first three statements (which we call ords) were spoken before Jesus entered the court of God:
1. Word of Forgiveness
Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided His garments and cast lots. Luke 23:34
These words ring true today, for they do not know what they do, the world does not understand Calvary! The world goes on living in its sin and mocking God.
No matter how bad of a sin you have committed God will forgive. Even crucifying His son.
2. Word of Promise
And Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:43
This act of forgiveness was not limited to the thief on the cross, but is extended to all who will call upon the Lord.
Jesus Christ himself has assured us that if we repent and ask for forgiveness, we will receive eternal life.
3. Word of Care
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. John 19:26-27
With these three words Jesus saw that all His earthly responsibilities were cared for, offered forgiveness to those who did not deserve such forgiveness, and welcomed a new convert into the Kingdom of God.
4. Word of Loneliness
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46
In Christ’s fourth word He entered the courtroom of God. Jesus usually addressed the head of the Trinity as Father, but He now calls Him God, a judicial title rather than the familial one.
5. Word of Suffering
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. John 19:28
In Christ’s fifth word He gives evidence of His suffering in the flesh of His humanity. Between the word of loneliness and the word of suffering Jesus paid the price for our sins. The punishment was so complete a retributive that the earth was darkened during that time, a period of about three hours (Luke 23.44).
6. Word of Triumph
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30
There is nothing that you or me can do to get to heaven. There are not enough books in the world to give away. There are not enough doors in the world to knock on. There are not enough starving people in the world to rescue. We can only get to Heaven by the grace of God through the sacrifice that his son gave on Calvary. It is finished
7. Word of Trust
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Luke 23:46
In the last two words Jesus uttered we see Him emerge from the courtroom of God, not a defeated man, but triumphant as our Savior. When He said, "It is finished", He declared that the work was acceptable to God that we need not fear our eternal status because Jesus finished the work for us. Having finished the work Jesus commended His earthly life to God. Not forever, as Buddha and Mohammed did, but for but three days. But that is another doctrine.
Conclusion
1. Word of Forgiveness
Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. And they divided His garments and cast lots. Luke 23:34
2. Word of Promise
And Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise. Luke 23:43
3. Word of Care
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. John 19:26-27
4. Word of Loneliness
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46
5. Word of Suffering
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. John 19:28
6. Word of Triumph
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30
7. Word of Trust
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. Luke 23:46
