The Cross of Hope

By William R. Shively
Bible Book: John  19 : 28-30
Subject: Easter; Hope; Cross, The
Introduction

When Jesus spoke from the cross “It is finished,” these were words of triumph. Jesus finished the work of redemption. In the Greek, “It is finished” is one word, tetelestai. Warren Wiersbe gives this definition of telelestai: “It is finished, it stands finished, and it always will be finished!” Jesus completed the work of redemption once for all and is now seated at the Father’s right hand.

I. Scripture

A. Fulfillment of Scripture

Jesus knew He had fulfilled the Scripture relating to Himself. The promise of a Savior in Genesis 3:15 had been accomplished. He had made “His soul an offering for sin.” (Isaiah 53:10) His work of redemption was finished. Psalms 22 gives a prophetic view of His crucifixion. Isaiah 53 gives a picture of the suffering Savior. After His resurrection, Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 24:44-46, “These are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning me. Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.”

B. Faithfulness of the Savior

Jesus came to do the will and the work His Heavenly Father had given Him. As a child, Jesus was about His Father’s business. (Luke 2:49)  In John 4:34, Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.”  In John 6:38-39, He said, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will but the will of Him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will who hath sent Me, that of all that He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.” Again in John 5:35, Jesus said, “for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do.” John 17 records the priestly prayer of Jesus. In that prayer, even before the cross, Jesus said, “I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” (John 17:4) Jesus was the obedient Son even in death. “And, being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil. 2:8)

II. Salvation

A. Atonement of Sin

In the Old Testament, the word atonement meant to “cover.” In the New Testament, it means to “remove or to put away.”

1. Price of atonement

The Lord Jesus died in our place and for our sins. (1 Pet. 3:18; 2:24) It is through His death and shed blood that we are reconciled to God. (1 Pet. 3:18) It is the death of Christ and His shed blood which provide our atonement and redemption (Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:12–15)

2. Propitiation in atonement. (Rom. 3:25)

Jesus removes the divine wrath of God toward the deserving sinner who looks to Him for salvation.Propitiation is the means by which justice is satisfied, God’s wrath is averted, and mercy can be shown on the basis of an acceptable sacrifice.

3. Provision in atonement.

a. Redemption. (Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Col. 1:14)

b. Reconciliation. (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:18)

“when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

c. Righteousness. (2 Cor. 5:21)

Charles Haddon Spurgeon: “Atonement by the blood of Jesus is not an arm of Christian truth; it is the heart of it.” 

​B. AVAILABILITY OF SALVATION.

In Luke 23:44, we learn of the darkness that came over all the earth between the hours of noon to 3 p.m. During this supernatural event, Luke writes of the veil in the temple being torn in two from the top to the bottom. This pictured the fact that through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, a way of approach to God was opened to all who would come by faith (Heb. 10:20–22). The body of Jesus was broken so we can come into His presence.

III. SAVIOR

A. Willing Savior 

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”

“Therefore doth My Father love me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself." (John 10:11, 17, 18) Jesus said, “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

B. Wonderful Savior​

“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.” Ps. 107:31-32.  Elisha A. Hoffman wrote the words to the following hymn:

What a Wonderful Savior
Christ has for sin atonement made — What a wonderful Savior! 
We are redeemed, the price is paid — What a wonderful Savior!
I praise Him for the cleansing blood — What a wonderful Savior! 
That reconciled my soul to God — What a wonderful Savior!
He cleansed my heart from all its sin — What a wonderful Savior! 
And now He reigns and rules therein — What a wonderful Savior!
He gives me overcoming pow’r — What a wonderful Savior! 
And triumph in each trying hour — What a wonderful Savior!
Chorus: What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Jesus! 
What a wonderful Savior is Jesus, my Lord!
LESSONS FOR LIFE:

1. Jesus Christ finished the work of redemption. The sinner must be willing to turn from his sins and put his faith in Jesus.

2. The genuinely saved have the assurance of eternal life. Jesus not only saves His sheep but He secures His sheep. (John 10:27-29)

3. The way to heaven is through Jesus Christ, the door of salvation. (John 10:9; 14:6) The saved are forgiven, cleansed, reconciled, justified and made righteous in Christ Jesus. We can have peace with God and enjoy His fellowship. Are you saved!