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A WORD FROM THE CROSS. LK. 23/JN 19. 03/31/24.
1. COMPASSION
a. The first 3 utterances from the cross had to do
with man – forgiveness, redemption, & compassion
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32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 ]Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.
Luke 23:32-34
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a1. Christ died for mankind & dealt with man
from the cross, even though He was dying
a2. Looking down form the cross, He took pity
b. The forgiveness offered from the cross was not
for salvation of those who crucified Him
a1. Not to hold the crucifixion to their account
a2. Our sins put Christ on the cross – Jews,
Gentiles, & all people share the blame
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39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Lk. 23
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c. The first convert was actually the criminal on a cross
a1. The criminal moved from mocker to believer
a2. At the point of death, he was given life
a3. Conversion started at the cross
a4. Jesus’s focus was on others, not Himself
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25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home. Jn. 19
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d. After Jesus looked out at His abusers & across at
the thief, He looked down on His mother
a1. As the oldest son, Jesus was responsible
for the care of His mother (Joseph died)
a2. Jesus’s brothers were not yet believers
(no record of them being at the cross)
a3. Jesus fulfills His responsibility by placing
His mother in the hands of John (the only
disciple at the cross)
2. CONSTERNATION
a. After Jesus looked downward, finishing His earthly
ministry to man, He looked upward to His Father
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45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Mt. 27
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b. Most teach that God turned his back on His Son
a1. Forsaken = to abandon; to leave stranded
a2. Christ became sin on the cross & God
judged sin in His Son, who knew no sin
a3. Sin separated Father & Son at the cross
3. COMPLETION
a. Jesus fulfilled prophecy by expressing His thirst
(Ps. 22) & then finishing His task (Is. 53)
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28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Jn. 19
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a1. It is finished (tetelestai) = paid in full (sin
debt was completely settled with 0 balance)
a2. In 6 hrs. Jesus did what man could not do
b. At the completion of His task, Jesus was released
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44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was [m]darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. Lk. 23 DONE!