Done
John 19:30
. Intro: The Sunday School teacher was extremely enthusiastic. She looked at the class of four-years olds and asked this question: “Does anyone know what today is?”
A little girl held up her finger and said, “Yes today is Palm Sunday.” “That’s fantastic!” the teacher replied. “Does anyone know what next Sunday is?”
The same little girl held up her finger and said, “Next Sunday is Easter Sunday.” Again the teacher replied, “That’s great!”
Then the teacher asked, “Does anyone know what makes next Sunday Easter?” The little girl again responded, “Yes, next Sunday is Easter Sunday because Jesus rose from the grave.”
But before the teacher could again congratulate her, she continued, “But if he sees his shadow, he has to go back in for seven weeks!”
. Today is Palm Sunday
. The day we recognize the Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem
. The crowds were excited shouting Hosanna Hosanna to the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
. All was right with the world.
. Their Messiah had come. What a triumphant day.
. Triumph went to tragedy very quickly though.
. They saw the one who they thought would be their King arrested and hung on a cross like a common criminal.
. As He hung there for approx. 9 hours He only spoke seven times.
. We have looked at four of those sayings over the last three weeks.
. This morning I want us to look at another saying from the cross.
. We find it in John 19:30; When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.
. As we look at this statement of Jesus as he released his spirit,
Let’s look at it this morning from several different perspectives.
. The bible tells us that there were different people there around the cross that day.
. As we look at them we can see that this statement meant different things to different people.
. THE SOLDIERS
. Over in verse 23 we see that there were soldiers there at the cross.
. When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.24So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.
. They had crucified Jesus and had divided his clothing equally but His robe was the odd piece out so to say and they were throwing dice to see who would get Jesus’ robe.
. When they heard “It Is Finished” they would have thought finally.
. Now I can go home and see my wife and children.
. I can go home and put my feet up and just relax.
. I thought he would never die.
. THE WOMEN
. in verse 25 we see that there were women who loved Jesus there at the cross.
. Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene.
. Jesus’ mother and her sister had come to the cross. They were there because of the love that they had for him.
. Mary Magdalene was there. The woman whom Jesus had cast out seven demons from.
. They had been there for nine hours watching the one they loved hang there in agony.
. What did “It is Finished” mean to them
. Finally, He is out of His agony.
. If they could have they would have saved Him from the cross but they couldn’t.
. Imagine His mother sitting there watching all of this unfold.
. I think of watching loved ones in agony and suffering as they are dying and how some just seem to cling to life and our prayer to God is
. Father if healing is not in your will, please take them. Don’t let them suffer anymore.
. That had to be in the thoughts of those who loved Him.
. As Jesus said “It is finished” they prayed a prayer of thanks to God for His mercy.
. THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS
. The religious leaders were the ones who had Jesus arrested and put on trial.
. They had sent Him to Pilot and demanded that He be crucified.
. They had stood around the cross and yelled obscenities at Jesus.
. They had mocked Him telling Him to come down from the cross and then they would believe Him and worship Him.
. When the religious leaders heard: It Is Finished” they had to have given a big sigh of relief.
. This man had been a thorn in their side for three years.
. Now He was gone for good and they could get back to business as usual.
. They were probably saying thank God he’s finally dead and out of our hair.
. THE APOSTLE
. In verse 26, Jesus sees one of His disciples there.
. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.
. All of the disciples had abandoned Him when they arrested Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
. John was back, sitting with His mother.
. Can you imagine the shame that John felt.
. By all accounts scholars believe that John was Jesus’ best friend.
. Some believe that maybe they were cousins and that Mary’s sister that was there was John’s mother.
. If that was true, not only had he abandoned his teacher and mentor he had abandoned his best friend and possibly his cousin.
. His shame must have been pressing down on him like a weight pressing on hi chest
. When he heard “It Is Finished” he had to feel empty.
. He had given three years to Jesus and now He was dead.
. We look at this and say yea but He’s been telling you that He will come back from this death. Haven’t you been listening to Him.
. He will be resurrected, just be patient.
. Scripture tells us that for some reason, the disciples didn’t comprehend what Jesus had been telling them.
. When He died they just fell to pieces.
. Even when the women who went to put the burial spices on Jesus told them they still couldn’t comprehend.
. I can’t tell you why they didn’t understand.
. All I can say is that hindsight is 20/20 as they say.
. We see what this statement could have meant to all the people who were there when they crucified Jesus.
. I want to finish with a question for you this morning.
. What does “It Is Finished mean to YOU.
. These three English words are actually one Greek word.
. That word is Telelestai
. When a servant would complete a job he would go to the master and say telelestai.
. When the Jewish people would bring their sacrifice to the priest for inspection and acceptance, the priest would say telelestai. It is accepted.
. The merchants used this word when a debt had been fully paid. They would say telelestai meaning the debt is paid in full.
. When Jesus said telelestai he was saying my job is complete.
. The sacrifice has been accepted
. The debt has been paid in full.
. Jesus said that all I came to do is Done.
. If you are here this morning and have accepted this sacrifice for your sins, you can say telelestai. It is finished.
. When you see and hear about the passion and death of Jesus does it give you completeness.
. Do you know what this means.
. Do you know that by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross that day that your payment for sin was paid in full.
. Jesus say’s telelestai, It is finished.
. What does it mean to you?
. This morning as we celebrate communion, reflect on what this statement means to you.
. We have placed this cross in the front of the church. You have 3x5 cards there in front of you. What I want you to do is if you can say that because of Jesus sacrifice you have become a follower of Jesus Christ I want you to write your name on this card. We are going to come forward and symbolically nail our sins to the cross acknowledging what He did for us when He finished His task.
. If you’re here this morning and have never asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins and became a follower of Christ, this is your opportunity.
. Our leaders will assist you in how we will do this, this morning.
*** To my Christian brothers and sisters, thank you for taking the time to read this sermon. I ask that you take another second and score this for me. I am always open to feedback so that I can continue to grow in the proclamation of God’s word.
May God bless you as you continue to strive to walk worthy of His calling.
