JESUS’ VICTORY ON THE CROSS ROCKED THE WORLD
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“It is finished.” – John 19:30 –
Words that changed the world… words that echoed down through the ages. The passion of Christ was complete. The agony… the injustice… the ill-treatment… all endured by a Savior for the people He loved.
“Do you think I cannot call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” – Matthew 26:53-54
Jesus went to the cross of His own accord… laying aside His divinity to fulfill His prophetic mission. For this was the Master’s plan… the mystery of the ages come to light. Darkness was overcome. The Light of the World prevailed. Victory was won!
The Father proved to the world His sovereignty that unparalleled day, His divine hand orchestrating all. Extraordinary events… miracles of prophetic significance… unmistakable signs and wonders that could only be from Him…
† Darkness
“It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining.” – Luke 23:44-45
At the sixth hour of the day, the traditional time of prayer for the Jews, darkness settled upon the land. Just as the ninth plague of darkness on Egypt preceded the tenth plague of death for all firstborns, so this darkness preceded the death of Christ on the cross.
Darkness in the Bible symbolizes God’s judgment. This was a physical darkness that opposed all laws of nature. It was a spiritual darkness as the sins of all mankind were placed upon the sinless Lamb. God poured out His judgment upon His beloved Son, our substitutionary sacrifice.
At the ninth hour, the time of the Temple’s evening sacrifice, Jesus breathed His last. His ultimate sacrifice was once for all… the perfect atonement for sin… satisfying all the requirements of the Law. No further sacrifice would ever be needed.
† Prophetic Words
“Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” – John 19:30
“It is finished.” This was not a final gasp from a defeated victim. It was a triumphal utterance by a Victor celebrating a mission accomplished. Jesus perfectly executed the purpose for which He came to earth… the total redemption of mankind. The work of the cross was complete. All prophecy was fulfilled. Our Lord was victorious.
Jesus always exhibited absolute obedience to the Father… even to the very end. The will of God was never compromised. The Redeemer forever sought to please but One. He gave up His life freely, winning the victory over death. At the end, He commended His Spirit into the hands of the Almighty.
† Temple Curtain Torn
“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” – Matthew 27:51
The Holy of Holies was the innermost chamber of the temple where God was believed to dwell with His people. Because of the absolute holiness of His presence, this chamber could only be entered by the Jewish high priest once a year to atone for the sins of the people. A thick, embroidered curtain nearly 60 feet high screened off this sacred area.
Only divine intervention could cause this curtain to completely tear in two at the moment Jesus breathed His last. This event symbolizes how He broke down the barrier of sin separating mankind from God. It marked the beginning of the new covenant whereby all people have direct access to God through Jesus Christ.
† Earthquake
“The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.” – Matthew 27:51
The victory Jesus won on the cross rocked the world. Earthquakes in the Bible are associated with divine power and authority. This violent earthquake symbolizes God’s power shaking up the religious foundations of the day to make way for His kingdom… with Christ reigning as King. It was reminiscent of the quaking of Mount Sinai when God spoke with Moses, proving His power before the people.
† Dead Are Raised
“The tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.” – Matthew 27:52
The power of Christ’s sacrifice destroyed the power of death that Satan wielded over mankind. Salvation was won for all time for all who believed. Tombs hewn in stone supernaturally split open and faithful ones were raised to life. This affirmed the Messiah’s authority over life and death… and was a preview of the future resurrection of all believers.
† Divine Revelation
“When the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how He died, he said, ‘Surely this Man was the Son of God!’” – Mark 15:39
This centurion, who assumably oversaw countless crucifixions, was amazed at what transpired that exceptional afternoon. Such miracles he had never seen. And something was different about this Man. Despite His compromised condition, there was an inner strength unlike any other. There was divinity in His demeanor.
Here was One who, enduring the cruelest of deaths, was not vengeful. He was not lashing out at His oppressors. Instead, He was heard extending forgiveness to all… the scheming Jewish leaders, the mocking crowds, the brutal soldiers. Surely all prophecy about this Man must be true. By divine revelation, this centurion saw the truth… Jesus is the Son of God!
“Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” – Matthew 16:21
Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead. He ascended into glory 40 days later… to live and reign forever at the right hand of the Father in heaven. The One who fulfilled all prophecy will rule with justice and righteousness for all eternity. He redeems the lives of all who believe. The weight of their sin is forever lifted. The promise of eternal life is their everlasting hope. Oh, what a Savior we have!
