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DearYouthPastors,BibleStudyLeaders,&HostHomeLeaders,
Iwantedtotakeamomentandthankeachoneofyoufortaking@meoutofyourbusy
schedulestobeapartofthisepiceventfortheweekend.I’mextremelygratefulthat
youwouldallowustopartnerwithyouinanefforttohelpfacilitateaspiritual
encounterbetweenyourstudentsandJesus.Ihonoryoufordedica@ngyour@meand
energy!Thisweekendcouldnothappenwithoutyou!Ourteamhasbeendiligently
prayingforyourstudents.Itisourhopethisweekendwillchangetheirlivesforever.
Inplanningforour@metogether,we’veworkedme@culouslythroughthedetailsto
ensureyourstudentswillhavethebestexperience.TheLIFTTourwasbirthedoutofthe
passageofscriptureinJohn12:32whenJesussaid,“AndI,whenIamLIFTEDupfrom
theearth,Iwilldrawallpeopletomyself.”Oursolepurposethisweekendisto
inten@onallycreateanenvironmentwherestudentscanexaltChrist,engagescripture,
andbeequippedwiththenecessarytoolstopassionatelypursueChrist.Tohelpcreate
flowandsynergy,wefeelitisimportantthatwhathappensinthelargegroup
environmentcarriesoverintothesmallgroupsessions.
Thesmallgroupsessionswillconsistofalistofdiscussionques@onsthatwillhelpyou
[email protected],theseques@onsareonlya
“guide”fortheweekend.Youknowyourstudents,feelfreetocontextualizeanyofthese
[email protected]’tcompleteallofthesmallgroupsessions
becausetheconversa@onisrichandevenXul,itistotallyokay.Thegoalisnotto
completetheques@onsforthesakeofaccomplishment,butinstead,thegoalisto
createconnec@[email protected]@vetotheguidance
oftheHolySpirit.Asyouspend@mewithyourstudents,praythattheywillprovide
“Godmoments”whereyoucanengagetheminspiritualconversa@onsthatwillleadto
discussionsconcerningtheirsalva@on.
Important:OnFridaynight,ourcommunicatorswillextendapublicinvita@onandgive
yourstudentsanopportunitytorespond.Ourdesireistoinspireandencourageyour
[email protected]@cipantto
fullyunderstandwhatitmeanstoliveredeemed.Thisinvita@onwillnotfeel
manipula@[email protected]@onisbeingpresented,
pleasebepreparedtoreceiveyourstudentsandcounselthem.Wewanttomakesure
everystudentunderstandsthedecisiontheyaremaking.Thankyouforallowingusto
serveyouandyourstudents.ItismyhopeandprayerthatthewordsJesussharedon
thecrosswilltrulybelas$ngwordsintheheartofyourstudents!!
Prayingforyoualways,
JeffWallace
Execu@veDirectoroftheLIFTTour
Lasting Words Theme
Finalwordsaretypicallydeliveredwithasacredsenseofpower,meaning,and
significance.Eachofthegospelwritersrecordapor@onofJesus’sevenstatementsfrom
thecross.Theselastwordsareintendedtobealas@ngmessagethattranscends
throughtheendof@me.
BillyGrahamoncesaid,“ThisiswhatGoddidforus.Hetookheaven’sbesttoredeem
earth’sworst.”Thecrossisaplacethatprovidesusallwhoarelookingfor:forgiveness,
hope,community,[email protected],evendeath
onacross.Theprophecyisfulfi[email protected],whenJesus
u\eredHisfinalwords,“Itisfinished”,Hewasmakingitpossibleforourlivestobegin.
Hisfinalwordsarethedefini@onofLas$ngWords.
Practical Instructions for Facilitating Discussion:
Remember,youcanneverteachapersonanything;youcanonlyhelpthem
discoverit.Thisisthepurposeofthediscussionques@ons.Itisanopportunity
foryoutoguidethestudentstodiscoverthetruthsrevealedinthepassages.This
ismosteffec@vewhentheyaregiventheopportunitytoanswertheques@ons
ratherthanbeingspoon-fedtheanswers.
Youcanfollowthecurriculumjustasitislaidout.1)Readthepassage(allow
studentstoreadasmuchaspossible).2)[email protected]
@meforstudentstocomeupwiththeanswer.Ifit’squietatfirst,it’slikelythat
theyarethinking.Thisiswhatyouwant.
Acertheyhavegiventheiranswers,youcanshareyourown.Don’tgetcaughtup
orwastealotof@[email protected]
nextques@on.
Thereisnotnecessarilyonerightanswerforeachques@on;however,youwantto
listentotheanswers.Thiswillhelpyougetanideaofthelevelofunderstanding
foreachstudentwhopar@cipates.
Don’tignorewronganswers,butdoyourbesttobediploma@cinpoin@ngtoward
thetruth.Youcansaysomethinglike,“Hmmm,that’saninteres@ngthoughtbut
whatifwelookatitthisway…”Youwanttodoyourbestnottoembarrass
anyone,butsomeinyourgroupmaynotknowtheLordasSavior.Youwantto
listencarefullyiftheiranswersreflectthat
Session 1 MESSAGE :
I AM ‘THEM’ AND THE PRAYER THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
TotheCrowdCrying“CrucifyHim”,JesusOffersForgiveness
Luke23:32-38
Introduc/on:
[email protected],Iusedtolovetowatchwesternmovies
wherethereisacowboywhocomesintosavethedayagainstallodds.OnethingIbegantono@cein
mostofthesefilmsistherewasalotofdeath.Inalong,drawn-outscene,onecowboywouldremove
hishatandkneelnexttoadyingmanwhohadalwaysbeeninconvenientlyshotinthegut.Inatypical
kindofway,thedyingmanwouldissuehislastrequest:tohaveonefinalsmoke.Then,whiletakinga
fewlastdrags,thetwocowboyswouldexchangewordsandhaveapoignantmoment.Thescenewas
powerfulbecausethemenwerepainfullyawareofoneman’sdeath,andthereforethewordsshared
wereprofoundandhearXelt.Thedyingcowboysharedwhatma\eredmosttohimbecausehe
recognizedthesewerehislastwords.Dyingindividualssaywhatma\ersmostbecausetheyareaware
thatthepresentmomentistheirlast,andthesameistruewithourLord.Jesuswascompletelyaware
thatHewasrapidlyapproachingHisfinalbreath.Sotheques@onbecomes‘whatma\eredmosttoour
dyingSavior?’WhatwasontheSonofGod’sheartasHehungnakedanddyingontwobeamsbetween
HeavenandEarth?Itistheanswertothisques@onthatwillbethefocusofourthemeatLIFTTour2017.
Thisweekend,youwilldiscoverthattherewereactuallyfouraudiencesthatJesuscaredaboutenough
thattheywouldbethesubjectsofHislastwords:
•
•
•
•
Tothecrowdcrying“crucifyHim”…Jesusoffersforgiveness
Tothethiefwithouthope…Jesusoffersaheavenlyhome
Toheartbrokenfamilyandfriends…Jesusofferscomfortandcommunity
ToHisFatherinHeaven…Jesusoffersfaithfulnessandobedience
Beforedivingintothefirststatementfromthecross,“Father,forgivethem…”itisimportanttoknowand
beawareoftheeventsthatprecedethis:
• Fridaynight(midnight–6:15am):
-Jesus’prayerintheGardenofGethsemane(Ma\.26:36-46;Mark14:32-42;Luke22:39-46;
John18:1)
-Jesusisarrested(Ma\.26:47-56;Mark14:43-52;Luke23:47-53;John18:2-14)
-JesusenduresaseriesofillegaltrialsandisfinallycondemnedtodeathbytheSanhedrin
(Ma\.26:57-68;Mark14:53-65;Luke22:66-71;John18:24)
• Fridaymorning(sunrise–9am):
- CiviltrialbeforePilate(Ma\.27:2,11-14;Mark15:1-5;Luke23:1-5;John18:28-38)
- CiviltrialbeforeHerod(Luke23:6-12)
- CiviltrialagainbeforePilateduringwhichhewasscourged,mocked,hadacrownof
thornsplacedonhishead,andapurplerobeplacedonhisback(Ma\.27:15-30;
Mark15:6-20;Luke23:13-25;John18:39-19:16)
- JesusisledawaytoCalvaryorGolgotha(Ma\.27:31-34;Mark15:21-22;Luke23:26-32;
John19:7)
- ThecrucifixionofChristat9am(thethirdhour=9aminJewish@me)(Mark15:25)
Soyousee,ALOThadtakenplaceprecedingJesus’firstwordsonthecross.AfamousBri@shpastorfrom
themid-1800’ssummarizedallthathappenedleadinguptoJesusfirst‘lastwords’onthecross:
1. TheMobWhoMockedInIgnorance
TheLordwas,atthatmoment,enduringthefirstpainsofcrucifixion;theexecu@onershadjust
thendriventhenailsthroughHishandsandfeet.Hemusthavebeen,moreover,greatlydepressed,and
broughtintoacondi@onofextremeweaknessbytheagonyofthenightinGethsemane,andbythe
scourgingandcruelmockingwhichHehadenduredallthroughthemorningfromCaiaphas,Pilate,
Herod,andthePraetorianguards.Yetneithertheweaknessofthepast,northepainofthepresent,
couldpreventHimfromcon@nuingintheprayer.TheLambofGodwassilenttomen,butHewasnot
silenttoGod.1Inthisfirstsession,wewillstudythefirstofJesus’lastwordsandbegintoseehowthese
statements“fromthecrossarewindowsthatenableustolookintoeternityandseetheheartofGod.” 2
Explana/on:
Themobmentalityrandeepthatday,[email protected]
versespriorthecrowd,ormob,standingbeforePilatehadcriedout“CrucifyHim,crucifyHim!”(Luke
23:21)RememberthatJesushadbeenscourged,beaten,hadacrownofthornsonHishead,anda
purplerobeonHisback.HestoodnexttoPilatebeforethecrowdabloody,darewesayunrecognizable
messofahumanbeing.AndyettheamountofgoreandtormentHehadenduredthusfarwasn’t
enough.Theywantedmore.TheywantedHimtobepunishedforacrimeHehadnevercommi\ed,and
theywantedthatpunishmenttobecrucifixion.Nowcrucifixionwasacommonformofcapital
punishmentfromthesixthcenturyB.C.un@[email protected]. 3Thecrosswas
consideredagrotesqueandinhumanewaytodie,beingthecruelestandmostpainfulwaytheRomans
couldputsomeonetodeath.Infact,itwassobarbaricthatbylawaRomanci@zencouldnotbe
crucified.Sonow,JesusisnailedtoacrossthroughHiswristsandfeet.Andthere,suspendedbetween
HeavenandEarth,[email protected]@me,allstoodguiltymocking
theSufferingServant:
• Thecrowdinfrontofthecross(Luke23:35)
• ThesoldierswhonailedHimtothecross(Luke23:36)
• ThereligiousleadersresponsibleforHiscrucifixion;whenLukewritesthattherulers‘sneered’
thatcouldalsobetranslated‘turningupthenose’(seeMa\.27:41)(Luke23:35)
• ThecriminalscrucifiedoneithersideofHim(Ma\.27:44)
• Eventhosewhowerepassingbyontheroad(seeMa\.27:39)
Theonethingtheyallhaveincommonisignorance!Theywereignorantconcerningtheirownsinand
ignorantinthattheydidn’trecognizetheSaviorwhowasbeingcrucifiedrightbeforethem.
Applica/on:
Theapplica@onatthispointisforeachofustounderstandthatwhenJesusprayed,“Father,forgive
them”,Iamthem.Iwasinthecrowd,passingbyontheroad,nailingtheSaviortothecross,sneeringat
theSufferingServantdownmyreligiousnose,andhangingnexttoHimmockingHismessage.Thistext
1Spurgeon,CharlesH.Christ'sWordsfromtheCross.BakerPubGroup,1981.,p.13
2Jesus’SevenLastWords,p.5
3Stein,R.H.(1992).Luke(Vol.24,p.588).Nashville:Broadman&HolmanPublishers.
bringsmefacetofacewithmyguilt,andthusIamnowcountedamongthoseignorantandguiltyofnot
believing.
• forallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod.(Rom.3:23)
• Therefore,justassincameintotheworldthroughoneman,anddeaththroughsin,andso
deathspreadtoallmenbecauseallsinned(Rom.5:12)
ButthankGodthatinHisinfinitemercyandgrace,thestoryofusdoesnotendwithourguilt:
• ForasinAdamalldie,soalsoinChristshallallbemadealive.(1Cor.15:22)
2. TheMissiontheMessiahWouldAccomplish
Explana/on:
ThereJesushungbetweentwoworlds,twothieves,[email protected]
(5-6thousandperlegion=possibly72,000angels)ofangelswereready(Ma\.26:53),andthatthe
armiesofHeavencouldannihilatetheguilty,andrescueandavengetheSonofGod,butJesuswouldnot
allowthisbecauserevengewasnotHismission.InthelastwordsofChrist,Hedemonstratesthiswasnot
tobearevengestory,butratheraredemp$onstory.WeseeinJesus’prayeracommitmenttoHis
missionastheMessiah.Whichistosaythatonthecross,JesustheChrist(theMessiah)wascommi\ed
tofulfillingHisroleastheanointedandPromisedOneprophesiedaboutintheOldTestament:
• Bornofavirgin(Is.7:14)
• BorninBethlehem(Micah5:2)
• HewasadescendentofthehouseofDavid(2Samuel7:12)
• Hewouldbe“aManofSorrows”(Is.53:3)
• Hewouldbebetrayedbyafriend(Ps.41:9)
• Hewouldsufferrejec@onbyHisownpeople(Ps.69:8)
• Hewouldbecrucifiedbetweentwothieves(Is.53:12)
• HisspiritwouldbecommendedtotheFather(Ps.31:5)
• Hewouldberaisedfromthedead(Ps.16:10)
• HewouldsitatGod’srighthand(Ps.110:1)
Thegreatestevidenceofthiscommitmentisactuallydemonstratedintheprayer,“Father,forgive
them,fortheyknownotwhattheydo.”Inallprobability,itwaswhileHishandswerebeingnailedtothe
crossbeamthatJesusbegantopray.WhilethecrowdhurledtheirhatedwordsatHim,andthe
malefactorsshriekedandcursed,Jesusprayed.AndthosenearenoughtocatchHiswordsheardHimsay,
“Fatherforgivethem,fortheyknownotwhattheydo.”Actuallythisprayerwasu\ered,notonce,but
[email protected]@oninthepasttense.Wemaywell
surmisethat,followingeachindignityandinvec@ve,Jesuskeptonsaying,“Father,forgiventhem;for
theyknownotwhattheydo.”Surelyneverdidsuchloveandsorrowmeettotransformahatedgibbet
intotheworld’sgreatestsymbolofmercyandgrace!OcenhadJesusfeltcompassionforthemul@tudes
wanderingasasheepwithnoshepherd.Forthismob,likethehoundsofhell,thinkingthatatlastthey
havetheirpreyatbay,[email protected]’swordofconcern.4
Applica/on:
Justaswordsofforgivenesscon@nuallypiercedthroughtheinsultsandhatredofthemobbetweenthe
hoursof9amandnoon,sotodayJesusiss@llcommi\edtoHismission.ItwasasthoughJesuswas
prayingforeveryage/genera@on,culture,tribe,andpeople.AstheMessiah,theSaviorandliberatorof
4Hobbs,HerschelH.TheCrucialWordsFromCalvary.GrandRapids,MI:BakerBookHouse,1958.,p.10
Hispeople,Hewasprayingforyouandforme.Hewaspiercingthedarknessofdespairwiththelightof
hopeforallmankind.Jesuswascommi\edtofinishingandcomple@ngthemissionofGod,Hisvery
purposebeingtomakeawaybacktoGod.Andletusbeclear,themissionofGodisallabouttheworkof
GodtoredeemapeopleuntoHimself…inotherwords,togiveourlivesmeaningandpurpose.Ifwe
understandthisaspectoftheprayerproperly(theMessiah’scommitmenttotheMissionofGod)then
wecanconcludethatJesusispraying:Father,IamstayingcommiDedtobeingasacrificeforthesinsof
allsothatImayserveasawaytoreconcilethosewhoarelostandspirituallylifeless.Iamstayingonthis
crosstodie,andprovideawaybacktoGod,sothatnoonewhobelieveswilleverdieagain.Bywayof
applica@on,Jesus’commitmentprovides:
• Thepossibilityforallwhobelievetohavehopeandlife
• Thepromiseforallwhobelievetohaveanewiden@ty
• ThedoorofopportunityforthepeopleofGod,theChurch,tobeapartofGod’smission(see
ChristopherWright“Missionwasnotmadeforthechurch;thechurchwasmadeformission—
God’smission.”p.62)
3. TheMediatorWhoMadeForgivenessPossible
Explana/on:
TheemphasisinJesus’prayerisontheword‘forgiveness’.“Thosewhowereexecutedwere
supposedtosay,‘Maymydeathatoneforallmysins’,butJesusconfesses,instead,thesinofthosewho
falselyconvictedHim,whounderOldTestamentlawwereliableforHispenaltybeforeGod.”5TheGreek
termthatisusedwhenJesusrepeatedlysaystheword‘forgive’means:
• First,tosendforthoraway,letgofromoneself.6
• Thiswordisalsousedtomeantopermit,allow,nottohinder(seeLuke18:6whenitrecords,
“Suffer(permit)li\lechildrentocomeuntome,andforbidthemnot…”).7
• ThiswordalsoindicatesandexpressestheideaofleGnggoorgivingupadebtbynot
demandingitspayment(seeMa\.18:27when,“Andoutofpityforhim,themasterofthat
servantreleasedhimandforgavehimthedebt.”).8
• Finally,thiswordmeansletbe(seeMa\.27:49when,“Letbe,letusseeifEliaswillcometosave
him…”9;theideaistowaitorwithholdun@ltheyhadtheopportunitytoknowwhattheywere
doing.
Therefore,wecantakeJesus’prayertotheFatherinHeaventomeanHeissaying:
• PermitMysacrificebywayofcrucifixiontocon@nue
• AllowMetobethedebtorsotheycanbecomefree
• WithholdYourwrathanddelaypunishmentfortheirsinun@ltheyhavehadthechancetoknow
theyaresinnersandaskforgiveness
5Keener,C.S.(1993).TheIVPBiblebackgroundcommentary:NewTestament(Lk23:33–34).Downers
Grove,IL:InterVarsityPress.
6Zodhiates,S.(2000).Thecompletewordstudydic$onary:NewTestament(electroniced.).Cha\anooga,
TN:AMGPublishers.
7Hobbs,HerschelH.TheCrucialWordsFromCalvary.GrandRapids,MI:BakerBookHouse,1958.,p.16
8Hobbs,HerschelH.TheCrucialWordsFromCalvary.GrandRapids,MI:BakerBookHouse,1958.,p.18
9Hobbs,HerschelH.TheCrucialWordsFromCalvary.GrandRapids,MI:BakerBookHouse,1958.,p.19
TheforgivenessJesusaskedtheFatherfordemonstratedHisteachingonlovingyourenemies(Ma\.
5:43-48;Luke6:27-36)andfulfilledtheprophecyofIsaiah53:12makingforgivenessavailabletothe
[email protected],Jesuswaspe@@oningtheFathertopermitHimtobecondemnedforthemob’ssin
sothatthesacrificecouldbecompleteandthesinbeforgiven.
Applica/on:
WeunderstandthroughthesacrificialloveofGod,asseeninChristJesus,thatforgivenessisnow
available,whileourresponseisvoluntary.Jesus’prayertakesawayanyandallexcuses...
• HeperseveredsoIcoulddiscovermypurpose.
• HesufferedsoIcouldbesaved.
• HebecameadebtorsoIcouldbesetfree.
• HediedsothatIcouldlive.
• HekeptthefaithsoIcouldhavetheopportunitytoplacemyfaith.
• HebreathedHislastsoIcouldbreathemyfirst.
• HeenduredsoIcouldruntherace.
• Hewasaloneonthecrosssoyouwouldneverhavetobelonelyagain.
Jesusisshowingusthatforgivenesscannotbeunderstoodapartfromsacrifice.Forgivenessisinthe
handsofGod(wecan’tforgiveourownsin),throughJesusourmediator/intercessor,andisa
demonstra@onofGod’senduringloveandcommitmenttoredeemapeopleuntoHimself.
Conclusion:
Inconclusion,findyourselfinthemobastheywitnessedthecrucifixion.
Intheprayer,wehaveapictureofaMessiahdedicatedtotheMissionofGod,andfinally,aMediator
whomadeforgivenesspossible.
Wearelecwiththisidea:forgivenessisavailable,butourresponseisop@onal.
Session 1 SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:
1. ReadanddiscussinLuke23:33-34howJesusmodeledforgiveness.
2. ReadLuke17:3-4.Whyisitsohardtoforgivepeoplewhohaverepeatedlyoffendedus?
WhatdoesJesuscommandustodointhistext?
3. RecallthedifferentaudienceswhomockedthecrucifixionofJesus.(Hint:Thereare5
separateaudiencesthatmockedJesus.SeeLuke23:35-36&MaD.27:39-44)Howdidthe
ac@onsofthedifferentgroupsdemonstrateanignorancetothegraceofJesus?Inwhat
wayscanweliveignorantofthegraceofJesus?
4. WhenJesusprayed,“Father,forgivethem…”whatimpactdoesthatprayerhaveonmy
lifepersonally?
Session 2 MESSAGE :
WHEN GOD SAYS AMEN AND THE TALE OF TWO THIEVES
Tothethiefwithouthope,JesusoffersaHeavenlyhome.
Luke23:39-43
OneofthecriminalswhowerehangedrailedatHim,saying,“AreyounottheChrist?Saveyourselfand
us!”ButtheotherrebukedHim,saying,“DoyounotfearGod,sinceyouareunderthesamesentenceof
condemna$on?Andweindeedjustly,forwearereceivingtheduerewardofourdeeds;butthismanhas
donenothingwrong.”Andhesaid,“Jesus,remembermewhenyoucomeintoyourkingdom.”AndHe
saidtohim,“Truly,Isaytoyou,todayyouwillbewithmeinparadise.”
Introduc/on:
ThesecondstatementofJesus’lastwordsdemonstratesforusthetaleoftwothievesandadividing
lineforallofeternity.AsJ.D.Greearexplains,
“ThestoryofthetwothievesonthecrossesnexttoJesusinLuke23showsthedividinglinein
eternity—twomeninverysimilarlifesitua@onsfallonoppositesidesofthislineandendup
eterni@esapart.Yourlifewillberepresentedinoneofthem.Thesetwoguyshadquiteabitin
common.Theywereequallybad.Thetextdoesn’tsayonewasworsethantheother.Infact,
Ma\hewtellsusthatbothstartedoutcursingJesus.Andbothcriminalswouldhavebeenhappy
forJesustosavethemfromdeath.”10 Itisamazinghowsomuchoflife,andeternityforthatma\er,willhingeonspecificmomentsinour
story.Andthesemomentsendupdeterminingalltheothermomentsofourlives.Inotherwords,there
aremomentsthatbecomedefiningmomentsforallofourlives.Thiswasonesuchmomentforthe
criminalonthecross.Whiletheeventsprecedingthecriminals’crucifixionareconjecture,many
historianshavespeculatedthattheywerefollowingafalsemessiahinBarabbas.Barabbaswasa
prisoner,arobber,andrevolu@onarywhowantedtooverthrowtheRomangovernmentatanycost.He
hadmostlikelycommi\edmurderinthenameofrevolu@onandwouldhavehadfollowersthatviewed
BarabbasasthemessiahoronewhowouldsaveandliberatetheJewishpeople.GovernorPilateoffered
achoice,whichwasconsistentwithacustomduringPassover,toreleaseaprisonertothecrowd.The
choicewasbetweenJesusandBarabbas;andtheresponseresoundswithbloodthirstyignoranceand
depravity:
Nowatthefeastthegovernorwasaccustomedtoreleaseforthecrowdanyoneprisonerwhom
theywanted.16AndtheyhadthenanotoriousprisonercalledBarabbas.17Sowhentheyhad
gathered,Pilatesaidtothem,“Whomdoyouwantmetoreleaseforyou:Barabbas,orJesus
whoiscalledChrist?”18Forheknewthatitwasoutofenvythattheyhaddeliveredhimup…
NowthechiefpriestsandtheelderspersuadedthecrowdtoaskforBarabbasanddestroyJesus.
21Thegovernoragainsaidtothem,“Whichofthetwodoyouwantmetoreleaseforyou?”And
theysaid,“Barabbas.”22Pilatesaidtothem,“ThenwhatshallIdowithJesuswhoiscalled
10h\p://www.jdgreear.com/my_weblog/2016/12/the-dividing-line-in-eternity.html?
utm_content=bufferd61c0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twi\er.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Christ?”Theyallsaid,“Lethimbecrucified!”23Andhesaid,“Why?Whatevilhashedone?”But
theyshoutedallthemore,“Lethimbecrucified!”(Ma\hew27:15-23)
Atonepoint,Pilateevenwasheshishandsbeforethecrowdinanefforttodemonstratehis
disagreementwiththeJewishpeople.Heexplained,“Iaminnocentofthisman’sblood;seetoit
yourselves.”25Andallthepeopleanswered,“Hisbloodbeonusandonourchildren!”
Fastforwardseveralhoursandthecriminal,whohadmostlikelyfollowedthewrongmessiah,is
nowconversingwiththetrueMessiahwhowasatthatverymomentsavingandlibera@nghispeople.
FromHisbirthtoHisdeath,Jesuswasalwayscaringfortheoutsider,theoverlooked,andtheleastlikely
ofcandidatestoberecipientsofHisgrace.Hewasalwaysreachingoutwith‘agape’lovetorescuethose
inneed:
Inthebeginningofhislifeitwastheshepherdsoutsidethecitykeeptheirflocks
AndthroughouthisministryJesuscouldbefound…
Callinglowlyfishermantobefollowersandthusstartamovement
Touchingandhealingaleperwhowaslivingondeathsdoor
Bringingbacktolifetheonlysonamotherwouldhave
Redeeminganimmoralwomanwithadeplorablereputa$on
Beingafriendofsinnersandevensharingamealwiththem
Seekingoutataxcollectorwhofoundrefugeinatreeforfearofhislife
Andyes,intheend,offeringforgivenessandsalva$ontocriminalwhohadfollowedthewrongmessiah
JesusistheGoodSamaritan–no,theGREATSamaritan–inLuke10whoclimbsintheditchwiththe
manwhohadbeenbeatenandrobbedandlecdyingonthesideoftheroad.Jesuswastheonewho
climbedintheditchwiththemanwhocouldnotrescuehimselfandofferedhimlife.Now,justmoments
beforeHisfinalbreath,Jesusisclimbingintheditchwhereacriminalisnailedtoacrossandoffershim
hope.Thisisthedefiningmomentthatwouldchangeforeverforathiefwhohadprobablyplacedhis
faithinthewrongperson.Forinthismoment,withJesushangingbetweenthem,hecorrectshisfellow
revolu@onarywhohadusedhisenergyonlytomockJesusandboldlyproclaimed,“DoyounotfearGod,
sinceyouareunderthesamesentenceofcondemna$on?Andweindeedjustly,forwearereceivingthe
duerewardofourdeeds;butthismanhasdonenothingwrong.”
HisstatementtoJesuswas,incontrast,muchshorterinlength,butwouldresoundthroughout
historyasahumbleconfessionforanysinnerseekingforgiveness:“Jesus,remembermewhenyoucome
intoyourkingdom.”AnditisJesus’responsethatisthefocusofoursession:“Truly,Isaytoyou,today
youwillbewithmeinparadise.”TherearethreeaspectsofJesus’responsetocriminal-turned-confessor
thatwillallowustobe\erunderstandhow,onthecross,perfectinnocenceextendshasextendedtoall
ofusaneternalpardon.
1.Truly:Jesusalwayssays“Amen”toaboldandhonestconfession
Explana/on:
ThefirstwordinJesus’responsetotherepentantrobberwas‘truly’.Theterm‘truly’,or‘verily’
or‘Itellyouthetruth’assometransla@onsread,canalsobetranslated‘amen’.“Thisexpressionisfound
singularlyordoublyoverseventy@mesintheGospelsandonlyonJesus’lips.Itwasusedtradi@onallyin
Judaismattheendofastatementinordertoconfirmwhathadbeensaid,butJesususedittointroduce
andstresswhatfollows.”11
Addi@onalcommentaryon‘amen’:
Amen.Rev.,correctly,theAmen.Thecustomaryresponseofthecongrega@on,adoptedfrom
thesynagogueworship.SeeDeut.27:15sqq.;Neh.8:6.TheRabbinshavenumeroussayings
abouttheAmen.“GreaterishewhorespondsAmenthanhewhoblesses.”“Whoever
answersAmen,hisnameshallbegreatandblessed,andthedecreeofhisdamna@onis
u\erlydoneaway.”“TohimwhoanswersAmenthegatesofParadiseareopen.”AnillconsideredAmenwasstyled“anorphanAmen.”“WhoeversaysanorphanAmen,his
childrenshallbeorphans.”ThecustomwasperpetuatedinChris@anworship,andthis
responseentersintoalltheancientliturgies.Jeromesaysthattheunitedvoiceofthepeople
intheAmensoundedlikethefallofwaterorthesoundofthunder.12
Essen@ally,JesusbeginsHisresponsetothethiefwithawordofaffi[email protected]ffirmingthethief’s
confessionofguiltandhisrequestthatJesuswouldrememberhiminParadise.Inaway,Jesuswas
flippingthetypicalscriptandpu{[email protected],
Jesus’firstwordwasawordofassurancetothethiefnexttoHim.Whileonethiefwasafoolbecausehe
lookeddeathinthefaceands@llwasn’twillingtorecognizehisguilt,thesecondthieftookhisdeath
seriouslyandfearedGod.HehadconfessedhisguiltandmadehisrequesttoJesus.Hehadbecomea
repentantsinnernowlookingintothefaceoftheRedeemer.AlltowhichJesusresponds,“Amen!”
Applica/on:
Toeveryrepentantsinner,Jesusalwaysrespondswithawelcoming“amen.”Andjustlikethethief,
wecan’tmakeupforallthewrongwehavecommi\ed.Wecan’tundopastmistakes;andmanyofus
maynothavethestrengthorenergytogoon.Likethethief,youmayfeelyouareattheendofyour
rope,butevenattheendwhenallseemscompletelylost,Jesuscanofferhope.Thethief“knockedonce,
soughtonce,askedonce,daredeverything,andfoundeverything.”13 Toexperiencethefreedomthatcomesfrombeingforgiven,wemustfirstfeeltheweightofourguilt.
Wemustbecomethedyingsinnerwhoplaceshisorherhopeinadyingsavior.Then,andonlythen,will
weexperiencetheloveofGodatitsbest!Whenthethieflookedatthemob,hewouldhaveseenanger.
WhenhelookedattheRomanguards,hewouldhaveseenjudgment.Whenhelookedathisfellow
criminal,hewouldhaveseenstubbornpride.ButwhenhelookedintothefaceoftheRabbifromGalilee
hangingonthecrossnexttohim,hesawassuranceandaffirma@on–thegoodnessofGodhungona
treeforcrimesHehadnevercommi\ed,anditwasthekindnessofGodthathadledthethiefto
acknowledgehisguiltandrepentofhissin.
2.Today:Jesusimmediatelyrespondstoahumbleandrepentantconfessor
11Stein,R.H.(1992).Luke(Vol.24,p.158).Nashville:Broadman&HolmanPublishers.
12Vincent,M.R.(1887).WordstudiesintheNewTestament(Vol.3,pp.270–271).NewYork:Charles
Scribner’sSons.
13Sheen,FultonJ.LifeofChrist.NewYork,NY:McGraw-HillBookCompany,Inc.,1958.p.395
Explana/on:
Next,weno@cethatJesusimmediatelyrespondstothecriminal’sconfession.Jesusdidn’tsay
“tomorroworthenextdayorsome@meinthefutureyoumayjoinmeinHeaven.”NordidJesus
communicatethatthethiefwouldhavetoworkorearnhiswaytoheaven.Jesusaffirmsthethief’s
confessionandthenoff[email protected]@celementwithJesususingthe
word‘today’.Yousee,itcouldtakeuptothreeorfourdaysbeforeacriminalwoulddiethroughthe
punishmentofcrucifixion.Jesusandthetwocriminalshadbeenonthecrosssince9amthatmorning
andJesuswouldtakehislastbreathby3pmthatacernoon.IfJesusismakingthisstatementsome@me
priortothenoonhour,thenHeisessen@allypredic@ngthe@meframeofhisowndeath.
Addi@onalcommentaryon‘Today’:
Itwouldusuallytakethreeorfourdaysun@lamanwoulddieonthecross,solingeringwas
deathbycrucifixion.ButJesusassuresthismalefactorthathissufferingswillcease“today.”This
isaplainprophecyandatthesame@meblessednewstothesufferer.ButJesussaysvastly
more:“TodayincompanywithmeshaltthoubeinParadise!”[email protected],
Jesusacquitsthiscriminalofsinandguilt.Heacceptshimasoneofhisown.Bythisword,he
hereandnowunlocksheavenforhim.14 Applica/on:
Tothethief,Heispromisingthattheywillnotspenddaysintortuousagonywithsecondsfeeling
likeminutes…minutesfeelinglikehours…hourslikedays…anddaysfeelingliketheywillneverend.Jesus
isassuringhimthatthepainwillshortlycometoanend.PainwillsoongivewaytoParadise.Thethief
hadspentalife@mege{nghimselfintothismessandinoneveryshortconversa@on,theMessiahwould
deliverhim.Thisisamazinggraceatworkinaprofoundlybeau@fulway.ThegraceofGodisforever
amazingbecauseitisforeverundeserved.
3.Youwillbewithme:Jesus,theSaviorwhosacrificed,foreverwelcomesthesinnerneedingsalva@on.
Explana/on:
First,Jesuswelcomesandaffirmstherepentantcriminal.Secondly,Heimmediatelyoffers
forgivenessandgrace.Thirdly,JesuspromisestoaccompanythecondemnedmantoParadise.Whilehe
deservedeternalcondemna@oninHell,Jesusofferssalva@onandHeaven.
ThewordParadiseisaPersianwordmeaningawalledgarden.WhenaPersiankingwishedtodo
oneofhissubjectsaveryspecialhonorhemadehimacompanionofthegarden,whichmeant
hewaschosentowalkinthegardenwiththeking.ItwasmorethanimmortalitythatJesus
promisedthepenitentthief.Hepromisedhimthehonoredplaceofacompanionofthegarden
inthecourtsofHeaven. 15
Inthebeginning,GodcreatedeverythinganditwasgoodandplacedthecrownofHiscrea@on,human
beings,inthemidstofthegarden.There,intheGardenofEden,AdamandEveexperienced
14R.C.H.Lenski,CommentaryontheNewTestament,p.1145-46
15Barclay,W.(Ed.).(1975).TheGospelofLuke.Philadelphia,PA:TheWestminsterJohnKnoxPress.
conversa@onalin@macywithGod.Godwouldliterallycomeandwalkwiththeminthecooloftheday.
Ofcourse,asaresultofmankind’srebellionagainstGod’sdesiredwill,theirrela@onshipwithGod,each
other,andcrea@onwasdestroyed.ThisisclearlyseeninthatGoddroveAdamandEveoutofthe
GardenofEdennevertoreturn(Genesis3:22-24).ThedeathofJesusonthecrossisGodmakingaway
backintoconversa@[email protected],wecanknowandcommunewithGodagain.And
becauseofthesacrificialloveofJesus,wecanreturntoParadise.Inessence,thegrandnarra@veof
Scriptureisthestoryofhowmankindwaskickedoutofthegarden,andhowsubsequentlyGodinJesus,
makesawaybackintoanothergardencalledParadise,be\erknowtousasHeaven.
Applica/on:
Ilovehowoneleaderdescribestheconversa@onbetweenJesusandthecondemnedthief:
Adyingmanaskedadyingmanforeternallife;amanwithoutpossessionsaskedapoormanfor
aKingdom;athiefatthedoorofdeathaskedtodielikeathiefandstealParadise.Onewould
havethoughtasaintwouldhavebeenthefirstsoulpurchasedoverthecounterofCalvarybythe
redcoinsofRedemp@on,butintheDivineplanitwasathiefwhowastoescorttheKingofkings
intoParadise. 16
Theobviousapplica@onofthistextcancertainlyboildowntothisques@on,“DoweknowJesus,andwill
webewithJesusinHeaven?”ThereismuchemphasisinScripturetobeingwithJesusinHeaven.
Heavenis,inlargemeasure,HeavenbecauseofthegloryandpresenceofGod.Orasthewriterofthe
bookofRevela@onputsit:
ThenIsawanewheavenandanewearth,forthefirstheavenandthefirstearthhadpassed
away,andtheseawasnomore. 2 AndIsawtheholycity,newJerusalem,comingdownoutof
heavenfromGod,preparedasabrideadornedforherhusband. 3 AndIheardaloudvoicefrom
thethronesaying,“Behold,thedwellingplaceofGodiswithman.Hewilldwellwiththem,and
theywillbehispeople,andGodhimselfwillbewiththemastheirGod.4Hewillwipeawayevery
tearfromtheireyes,anddeathshallbenomore,neithershalltherebemourning,norcrying,nor
painanymore,fortheformerthingshavepassedaway.”
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he
said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is
done!IamtheAlphaandtheOmega,thebeginningandtheend.
Revela@on21:1-6
InHeaven,thedwellingplaceofGodwillbewithman:“ThedwellingplaceofGodiswithman.Hewill
dwellwiththem,andtheywillbehispeople,andGodhimselfwillbewiththemastheirGod.”
Yet,wealsolearnfromtheApostlePaulinColossians2:6-7,“AsyoureceivedChristJesusthe
Lord,sowalkinHim,rootedandbuiltupinHimandestablishedinthefaith,justasyouweretaught,
aboundinginthanksgiving.”AproperunderstandingofHeavenisthatbyGod’sgracewecanreceivea
rela@onshipwithJesusnowandbegintowalkwithHimaswejourneylikepilgrimsmakingtheirway
homeward.Therefore,wecannotjustsimplyreduceourresponsetowhatwelearninthistextto,“Will
youonedaygotoHeaven?”Rather,aproperunderstandingofJesus’responsetothecondemned
criminalneedstobe,“AmIliving,atthisverymomentinlife,likesomeonewhobelongstoHeaven?”
Therearenosuchthingsas@cketstoHeaven,ratherJesusofferstomeetusinthehereandnowsothat
wemaywalkwithHiminlifeandlivewithHimineternity.
16Sheen,FultonJ.LifeofChrist.NewYork,NY:McGraw-HillBookCompany,Inc.,1958.,p.395
Conclusion:
Ihopethatwhenwelookatthecrossweseesomuchofourselvesinthecondemnedcriminal…
• Underservingofforgiveness
• Unworthyofredemp@on
• Unlikelytoeverbegivenanotheropportunity
Andyet,graceisforeveramazingbecauseitisforeverunderserved.Gracehasbeengivenand,inthis
room, grace has been received. We were once kicked out of Paradise with no hope of ever returning.
Then,thekindnessofGodpiercedthedarknessandinHislove,Hedeclaredawayhome.Jesushasdied
sothattheundeserving,unworthy,andunlikeliestofsinnerscouldbecomebeau@fultrophiesofgrace.
WeareapeoplethatoncelostParadise,butinJesus,Paradisewasfoundanew.Nowweareprivileged
tojourneyhometoaParadisecalledHeavenwhere“Hewillwipeawayeverytearfromtheireyes,and
deathshallbenomore,neithershalltherebemourning,norcrying,norpainanymore,fortheformer
thingshavepassedaway.”
Session 2 SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:
1. Howdidtherepentantthiefrebuketheotherthiefwhowasinsul@ngJesus?
2. Howdidtherepentantthiefdemonstrateremorseandhumilityconcerninghissinful
lifestyle?
3. HowdoesJesusrespondtotherepentantandhumbleconfessoronthecrossnextto
Him?
4. Whatfearsora{tudestypicallyprohibitusfrombeinghonestandrepentantaboutour
sin?
Session 3 MESSAGE :
THE SON WHO BECAME A SAVIOR AND THE MOTHER WHO BECAME
A DAUGHTER
Toheartbrokenfamilyandfriends,Jesusofferscomfortandcommunity.
John19:25-27
…butstandingbythecrossofJesuswerehismotherandhismother’ssister,MarythewifeofClopas,and
MaryMagdalene.WhenJesussawhismotherandthedisciplewhomhelovedstandingnearby,hesaid
tohismother,“Woman,behold,yourson!”Thenhesaidtothedisciple,“Behold,yourmother!”Andfrom
thathourthediscipletookhertohisownhome.
Noonwasrapidlyapproaching,acerwhichdarknesswouldfallfornearlythreehoursbefore
Jesuswouldbeginu\eringthefinalofHissevenstatementsfromthecross(Ma\.27:45;Mark15:33;
Luke23:44-45).Muchofthe@mebetween9amandnoonwasdedicatedtotheocenrepeatedprayer:
“Father,forgivethem;fortheyknownotwhattheydo.”JesusonlyinterruptedHimselfontwooccasions
priortothenoonhour.Thefirstwaswiththecondemnedcriminalthatwecoveredinourprevious
session.ThesecondwouldbewhenJesuscommitsthecareofHismothertothebeloveddisciple,John.
John’snewrole,whichwillbeexplainedlateron,isfurtherevidencedinthefactthatthisincredible
incidentisonlyrecordedintheGospelaccordingtoJohn.Anamazingauthorandministerfromthe
1800’snamedJ.C.Ryleputitthisway:
St.Johntellsusthatatthisawfulmoment,Mary,themotherofJesus,andotherwomen,twoif
notthree,stoodbythecrossonwhichourLordhung.“Loveisstrongasdeath;”andevenamidst
thecrowdoftaun@ngJewsandroughRomansoldiers,theseholywomenweredeterminedto
standbyourLordtothelast,andtoshowtheirunceasingaff[email protected]
thatourLordwasacondemnedcriminal,peculiarlyhatedbythechiefpriests,andexecutedby
theRomansoldiers,thefaithfulnessandcourageoftheseholywomencanneverbesufficiently
admired.Aslongastheworldstandstheysupplyagloriousproofofwhatgracecandoforthe
weak,andofthestrengthourLord,morethanonewomanboldlyconfessedHim.Women,in
short,werethelastatthecrossandthefirstatthetomb. 17
Itisanamazingimagetovisualizeinthemind’seyeadyingSaviorinexcrucia@ngpainreachingoutto
comfortHisearthlymother.Inthisshortandpoignantstatement,weseethatJesuswasconcernedthat
herheartmusthavebeenbreakinginsideherchest,thatherphysicalwell-beingneededtobesecure
acerHisdeath,butalsothatatthatmomentsheneededHimtobeaheavenlySaviormorethanan
earthlySon.Inthisstatement,wevividlyseethecareofhersonandsimultaneouslytheheartofthe
Savior.
ThecareofasonandtheheartoftheSaviorcanbeunderstoodinthreeways:
1.Emo/onal…
ItmaQerstodaythatyourheartisbrokeninthefaceoftragedy.
17Ryle,J.C.ExpositoryThoughtsontheGospels.Vol.4.John10:31-John21:25.GrandRapids,MI:Baker
BookHouse,2007.,p.309
Explana/on:
Aparentshouldneveroutlivetheirchild,andcertainlyaparentshouldneverhavetowatchtheir
childdie.BothoftheseunfortunateeventswouldbetrueconcerningthemotherofourLord.Standing
bythecross,watchingherchilddieforcrimesHedidnotcommit,shemusthaverecalledthewordsof
Simeonsomethirty-threeyearsearlierwhensheandJosephhadtakentheirSontobepresentedatthe
temple:“Behold,thischildisappointedforthefallandrisingofmanyinIsrael,andforasignthatis
opposed(andaswordwillpiercethroughyourownsoulalso),sothatthoughtsfrommanyheartsmaybe
revealed.”(Luke2:34-35)Thosewords“aswordwillpiercethroughyourownsoulalso”musthave
becomeasrealasthegroundbeneathherfeet.Onanyotherdaythepainwouldhavebeen
unimaginable,shemayhaveeventhoughttoherself,“theoldmanmighthavejustgo\enabit
overexcited,acerallhehadbeenwai@nginthattemplealong@me.”Butitwasn’tanyotherday,itwas
thelastdayandtheprophecywasaccurate.She,atthatverymoment,feltapainbeyondtheabilityof
wordstodescribe.Thefirst@meweseeMaryinthebookofJohn,sheispreparingforawedding(John
2:1-11)andnowshewouldbepreparingforafuneral.
Asherfirstbornson,andwithJosephmostlikelydead,Jesuswouldhavebeenthesontocare
forheremo@onalandphysicalneeds.Likeanygrownsonthatisresponsibleforamother,hewouldhave
wantedtobetheonetoputHisarmaroundher,maybekissherforehead,andwhisperawordof
comfort.ButHecouldnolongerfulfillthatrole,andnowneededtostayfocusedontheroleofbeingthe
Messiah.AndsoJesusrelinquishedHisroleassonofMarysothatHecouldfulfillHisroleasSonofGod.
Inthatmoment,HetransferredhisresponsibilityontotheshouldersofHismosttrustedandloved
disciple.TheBibleteachesus,“Andfromthathourthediscipletookhertohisownhome.”I’vealways
wonderedwhyJohnwrites‘fromthathour’?Isheimplyingthattheyturnedawayandlecthecrucifixion
scenetoreturntohishome?IthinkthereasonJohnemphasizedthatveryhouristocommunicatetous
thatheimmediatelyassumedtheroleofafirstbornson.HemayhaveputhisarmaroundMary,kissed
herforehead,andwhisperedashortprayerandwordofcomfort.Inanycase,allindica@onisthatJohn
immediatelyfulfilledtheroleandcaredforMaryasifshewerehisbiologicalmother.
Applica/on:
WhatanamazingpicturethatevenasHewasbeingcrucifiedtopaythedebtofsinforallof
mankind,JesuswasconcernedwithHisbrokenheartedmother.In1Peter5:7wearetaught:“cas$ngall
youranxie$esonhim,becausehecaresforyou.”Jesusisconcernedwithma\ersoftheheart.Heknows
whatbreaksourheartsandHeactuallyinvitesustogiveallourworries,anxie@es,andcarestoHim.
Trustme,ouremo@onalburdensarenottooheavyofaweightforJesustobear.Jesusisnotjustmindful
ofoureternity,likePaulwithyoungTimothyin2Timothy1:4,“Heismindfulofourtears.”Jesus
understands,andgreatlycaresaboutouremo@onalhealthandwell-being.
Doyoustrugglewithanxiety?Alowself-esteem?Self-harm?Depression?Suicidalthoughts?Thelist
couldgoonandon.Forsomeofusinthisroom,wefeelliketherestoftheworldisfastasleepeach
nightwhilewecryourselvestosleep.Wellguesswhat,youaren’tcryingyourselftosleepaloneinthe
painfulabyssoftheeveninghours.Jesusisthere,andJesusisinvi@ngyoutocastallyourcaresonHim
andreplacethatemo@onalbaggagewithrighteousthoughts:
• Romans12:2Donotbeconformedtothisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewalofyour
mind,thatbytes$ngyoumaydiscernwhatisthewillofGod,whatisgoodandacceptableand
perfect.
• Philippians4:8Finally,brothers,whateveristrue,whateverishonorable,whateverisjust,
whateverispure,whateverislovely,whateveriscommendable,ifthereisanyexcellence,if
thereisanythingworthyofpraise,thinkaboutthesethings.
Thereisanotheraspectofthisapplica@onthatJesusdoesn’twantustostrugglealone.Yes,wecan
castourcaresuponHim,whichemphasizesthatHeisconcernedwithouremo@onalhealth,butHe
askedJohntostepintotheroleoffirstbornsonforMary.Toconnectthedots,Jesuswasensuringthat
Marywouldn’tbesadalone.Hewasofferingheracomfortthatwouldcomethroughcommunityand
rela@onship.Godhasneverintendedforustobealone.Thisisprobablymostevidentinthecrea@on
narra@vewhereGodaddressesalonenessbeforesinfulness.Inthebeginningeverythingwasperfectand
good,butGod’screa@onwasn’tcompletebecauseAdamwasalone.ThisiswhyGodmadeanother
person,thewoman,whowascomparabletoAdam(Gen.2:18).WeneedtocastourcaresuponJesus
andseekrighteousness,butwealsoneedtohaveacommunityofpeoplethatGodcanusetocomfort
andhelpbuildusupinthefaith.
2.Physical…
ItmaQerstomorrowthatyouhaveahomeandhealthonearth.
Explana/on:
JesuswastheSavioroftheworldbutHewasalsobornintoaJewishfamily.Thiswas,ofcourse,
notbyaccidentforitwasGod’splantobringforththeMessiahfromamongtheJewishpeople.Paul
understoodthiswheninGala@ans3:8-9,14hetracedthisideaallthewaybacktothefirstpatriarchof
Judaism:
AndtheScripture,foreseeingthatGodwouldjus$fytheGen$lesbyfaith,preachedthe
gospelbeforehandtoAbraham,saying,“Inyoushallallthena$onsbeblessed.”Sothen,
thosewhoareoffaithareblessedalongwithAbraham,themanoffaith…inChristJesus
theblessingofAbrahammightcometotheGen$les,sothatwemightreceivethe
promisedSpiritthroughfaith.
SothebigpictureinGod’splanisthatthroughtheJewishpeople,Godwouldblesstheen@reworldby
sendingJesustobeasacrificeforthesinsoftheworld,thusmakingawaybackintorightrela@onship
withGod.ButwhilethisisthebigpictureofGod’splan,Jesus,onthecross,wass@llcommi\edto
fulfillingHisroleasthefirstbornSoninaJewishfamily.
Thesignificanceofthosestatementsisfurtherdefinedbytheevangelist’seditorialnotethat
“fromthat@meonthisdiscipletookherintohishome.”Thetradi@onalroleoftheoldestsonin
aJewishfamilywastoprovideforthecareofthemotherwhenthehusbandorfatherofthe
housewasnolongeraroundtocareforthemother.ItseemsclearthatJesusherefulfilledhis
[email protected]
ItisalsoimportanttokeepinmindthatJesuswasnotanonlychild;Hehadfourbrothers,James,
Joseph,Simon,andJudas,andatleasttwosistersaccordingtoMa\hew13:55–56.Itmakessensetoask,
whydidJesusplacetheresponsibilityonJohninsteadofHisbrothersoroneofHisotherdisciples?The
answerisfullyclearwhenwerealizethatJohnwastheonlyman,whowasanotanenemyofJesus,
standingintheaudiencethatday.Hisbrotherswerenotpresent,northeelevenotherdisciples.John
alonestood,withtearsflowingdownhisfaceandhisheartbreakingwithinhischest,observingour
crucifiedLord.
Addi@onalcommentary:
18Borchert,G.L.(2002).John12–21(Vol.25B,p.269).Nashville:Broadman&HolmanPublishers.
AndnowHedidnotforgethismother.Hesawherstandingbythecross,andknewherdistress,
andfelttenderlyforherdesolatecondi@on,lecaloneinawickedworld,acerhavinglostsucha
Son.HethereforecommendedhertothecareofJohn,Hismostlovingandtender-heartedand
faithfuldisciple.HetoldJohntolookonherashismother,andtoldHismothertolookonJohn
asherson.Nobe\erandwiserarrangementcouldhavebeenmadeineveryway.Nonewould
caresomuchforthemotherofJesusasthedisciplewhomJesusloved,andwholayinHis
bosomatthelastsupper.NohomecouldhavebeenmoresuitabletoMary…19
Applica/on:
Jesusisnotblindtoourphysicalneeds.Andourcriesforhelponbehalfofalovedonewitha
terminaldiseaseordebilita@[email protected]
ministryofJesuscanonlyleadtooneconclusion,Jesuswasdeeplyconcernedwiththosewhohad
sickness,diseaseordisability.ThefourGospelsrecordoverthirtyinstancesofJesushealingallkindsof
things.ThefollowingarejustafewexamplesofphysicalneedsthatJesusmet:
• HealingtheleperinGalilee,Ma\hew8:1-4
• JesushealstheparalyzedservantfortheRomanCenturioninCapernaum,Luke7:2-10
• HecastoutdemonsfromapossessedpersoninthesynagogueonCapernaum,Mark1:23-28
• HehealedPeter’smother-in-lawwhowassickwithfever,Ma\hew8:14-15
• HealedamanwithawitheredhandatasynagogueinCapernaum,Ma\hew12:10-13
• HeraisedthedeadsonofthewidowinthecityofNain,Luke7:11-16
• HehealedtwoblindmenatCapernaum,Ma\hew9:7-21
• HehealedadeafmanwhoalsohadaspeechimpedimentintheregionofDecapolis,Mark
7:31-37
• HebroughtJairus’daughterbacktolifeatCapernaum,Ma\hew9:18-19,23-36
• OtherwomenandMaryofMagdalenewerehealedofevilspiritsandinfirmi@esinGalilee,Luke
8:2
AndjustasJesuswasconcernedaboutallkindsofsicknessanddiseaseduringHisearthlyministry,just
asHewasconcernedabouttheemo@onalandphysicalwell-beingofHismotherashehunginagonyon
thecross,Heislikewiseconcernedwithourpain,oursickness,andourdisability.Jesusisbrokenhearted
overthetransgenderorphaninagrouphomebeingbullied,theelderlypersonwhofeelstheyaresimply
was@ngawayinsolitude,thesixteen-year-oldwhoself-harms,theparentdiagnosedwithterminal
cancer,andthelistgoesonandon.InHebrews13:8wearetaughtthat,“JesusChrististhesame
yesterdayandtodayandforever.”Therefore,thesameJesusthathealedtheleper,raisedpeoplefrom
thedead,castoutdemonsandmadetheblindtosee,Hecaresforthosewhoarehur@ngandinneed.
Bywayofapplica@on,wecouldeasilydrawtwoconclusions:
ThepainthatbreaksourheartsalsobreakstheheartofJesus…
ButGodalsodesiresthatwecareforeachother’sneeds.
Ourphysicalneedsma\ertoGod,andpartofthewaythatGodwantstomeetourphysicalneedsisby
caringforoneanother.Byhelpingoneanother,wearefollowingtheteachingsofJesusandthus
[email protected]@ans6:2,“Bearoneanother’s
burdens,andsofulfillthelawofChrist.”
19Ryle,J.C.ExpositoryThoughtsontheGospels.Vol.4.John10:31-John21:25.GrandRapids,MI:Baker
BookHouse,2007.,p.311-12
3.Spiritual…
ItmaQersforeverthatyouhaveHeaven
Explana/on:
Jesusisinterrup@ngagony,torment,andunimaginablepaintocareforHismother:“WhenJesus
sawhismotherandthedisciplewhomhelovedstandingnearby,HesaidtoHismother,‘Woman,behold,
yourson!’Thenhesaidtothedisciple,“Behold,yourmother!”Andfromthathourthediscipletookher
tohisownhome.”AndwhileJesusiscertainlyconcernedwithHismother’semo@onalandphysical
healthandwell-being,thereisathirdandeternallymoreimportantaspecttoHiswords.Yousee,while
MaryneededanearthlySon,shesimultaneouslyneededaheavenlySavior.Anotherwayoflookingatit
is,bylosingherearthlySon,[email protected],theSonbecamethe
SaviorsothatthemothercouldbecomeadaughterofGod.JesusprovidedforMaryanadoptedSon,so
thatHecouldadoptMaryasadaughterofGod.JesusceasedtobehersonsothatHecouldbecomeher
Savior,sothatshecouldbeadoptedintoGod’sfamily.Yes,Jesuswasdyingforthesinsofmankind,but
inthatverymoment,Hewasalsomakingawayofsalva@onforthewomanwhobirthed,raised,and
lovedHimforHisen@relife.
ItisremarkablethatweneverhearawordspokenfromMarytoherSonduringHiscrucifixion.Is
itpossiblethatMary’ssilenceisanactofherfaithandbeliefinJesustobetheMessiah?Ifshebelieved
HimtobemerelyherSon,couldn’tshehaveshoutedamongthecrowdthatthechargesbroughtagainst
Himwerefalse?Andyetshedoesn’t,sothattothisdayhersilenceandbeliefresoundsdownthrough
theagesasaprofoundandboldwitnessforallwhowillseeit.Thoughitwasasifaswordwaspiercing
hersoul,itisquitepossible,andevenprobable,thatsheunderstoodthenecessityofthissacrifice.
Applica/on:
Intheend,Godcaresforouremo@onalandphysicalneeds,butHehasul@matelymade
salva@onpossible,thusaddressingthegreatspiritualneedsharedbyallhumanbeings.Therewasan
incrediblebookwri\enseveralyearsago@tledLoveDoesbyBobGoff.Acerreadinghisbook,andbeing
aroundBobonseveraloccasions,IamblownawaybyhowheradiateslifeandtheloveofJesus.The
thesisofthebook,andquitehonestlyBobaswell,isthatloveisproac@veandneversta@onary;loveis
the“do”partofengagingourfaith.IfBobisright,andItendtoagreewithhim,thegreatest
demonstra@onof‘lovedoes’isthatChristdiedforsinnerssuchasus.God’[email protected]
3:18reads,“ForChristalsosufferedonceforsins,therighteousfortheunrighteous,thathemightbring
ustoGod…”JesuswasdyingonthecrosssothatHemightbringHismothertoGod.AndJesushasdied
onthecrosstoaccomplishthesameforallofusinthisroom.Jesusdiedsothatourspiritualneeds
wouldbemet.Thus,adailychallengeexiststoallwhoareredeemed.Wemustliveunderstandingthat
todayisthedayofsalva@on(2Cor.6:2).Therefore,IneedthesacrificialloveofGodinChristJesus,the
workofJesusonthecross,todayandeveryday.Somuchofwhatitmeanstoliveredeemedistosee
salva@onnotasaone-@megicbutratheragicgivenforeveryday.ImustthendailyrecognizethatJesus
madesalva@onpossibleandIneedsalva@on,IneedJesus,asmuchtodayaswhenIcrossedthelineof
faithandbeganfollowingHimyearsago.Bywayofsummaryandapplica@on,wemustwrestlewith:
• ‘Todayisthedayofsalva$on’:Understandingmyongoingdailyspiritualneedforthefinished
workofChristonthecrossinmylife…
• ThatIliveredeemedassomeonewhoiswalkinginChristJesustheLord(Col.2:6)
Conclusion:
Thereissomethingveryholis@cinJesuswordstoHismotherandtoJohninthatheaddresses
theemo@onal,physical,andspiritualneedsofMary.Intheselastwords,wecaneasilyiden@fyJesusas
theGod-man.Thatistosay,Jesuswastheonly200percentbeingevertoexist:Hewasallman,allGod,
allone.HereweplainlyseetheprophecyofIsaiah9:6whenJesusisdescribedas“thechildthatwas
bornandthesonthatwasgiven.”Achildthatwasbornspeakstohishumanity,asonthatwasgiven
speakstoHisdeity.OnthecrossspeakingtoHismotherandJohn,weseethatJesuswassmallenough
tocareabouttemporalneedsandsimultaneouslybigenoughtocareforoureternalneeds.
Hewas:
smallenoughtobebornintotheworld
BIGenoughtohavespokenthatworldandeverythinginitintoexistence
smallenoughtobebornintotheCityofBread
BIGenoughtobetheBreadofLife
smallenoughtocrywhenhewashungryandwantedtobeheld
BIGenoughtoheartheheartcryofeveryhumanbeing
smallenoughtobeobsolete
BIGenoughtobeabsolute
smallenoughtobebornintoayoungfamily
BIGenoughtowelcomeallwhowouldcomeintoHisfamily
smallenoughtorevealHimselftoshepherdscloseby
BIGenoughtodrawMagifromafar
smallenoughtowashfeet
BIGenoughtolead
smallenoughforoursaketobecomepoor
BIGenoughthatthroughHispovertywemightbecomerich
smallenoughtoneedswaddlingcloths
BIGenoughtoonedayleavethembehind
smallenoughtobecomeoneofus
BIGenoughtorescueallofus
smallenoughtobethekidinthecradle
BIGenoughtobetheKingonthecross
Session 3 SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:
1. ReadLuke2:35anddiscusshowMary,themotherofJesus,probablyfeltasshewatched
hersonbeingcrucifiedonthecross.
2. WhydidJesusaskhisbeloveddisciple(John19:26)tocareforHismotherfromthat
momenton?
3. WhatdoesJohn19:25-27teachusaboutJesus’concernforMary’sphysicalwell-being?
4. WhatdoesJohn19:25-27teachusaboutJesus’concernforMary’sspiritualwell-being?
Inotherwords,whydidJesusneedtorelinquishtheroleofearthlysontoanother?
5. ReadIsaiah41:10.Basedonthistext,whattypeofassurancedoesGodgivehispeople
during@mesofuncertaintyortragedy?
Session 4 MESSAGE :
FINISHED…B EGIN, AND THE RED COINS OF REDEMPTION
ToHisFatherinHeaven,Jesusoffersfaithfulnessandobedience.
John19:28-30
Aoerthis,Jesus,knowingthatallwasnowfinished,said(tofulfilltheScripture),“Ithirst.”Ajarfullof
sourwinestoodthere,sotheyputaspongefullofthesourwineonahyssopbranchandheldittohis
mouth.WhenJesushadreceivedthesourwine,Hesaid,“Itisfinished,”andHebowedhisheadandgave
upHisspirit.
Introduc/on:
Someofthebiggesteventsofourlivesarecapturedinsinglewordsorshortphrases.Asimple
andprofound“Yes”totheques@on,“Willyoumarryme?”;thephrase“Ido”inresponseto,“Doyou
takethismantobeyourlawfullyweddedhusband?”;ournamesbeingannouncedatagradua@on,ora
phonecalltosay,“Yougotthejob.”Ifyouareayoungparent,youneverforgetthewordsfromyour
spouse,“Iampregnant”,ortheshortsentencefromthesonogramtechniciansaying,“It’saboy”or“It’s
agirl.”Ifyouareyounginlove,thefirst@meyouu\eredthosethreeli\lesyllables,“Iloveyou”,leavesa
las@ngimprintonthepicturegalleryinyourmind.
Yes,smallstatementscancarryahugeworthofmeaning.Butneverbeforeinhistoryhasmore
beencommunicatedinjustonewordthanthefinalstatementfromourLordonthecross.Thefinalword
anyonewouldhearthatdaywas,“Itisfinished…”.WhenJesussaid“Itisfinished”,WHAThadHe
accomplished?Inthisoneword,fullofmeaningforalltheages,theprophesiesoftheOldTestament
wereaccomplished,oursalva@onwasaccomplished,andthirdly,Hisearthlymissionwasaccomplished.
Addi@onalcommentary:
• Whatisfinished?TheLawisfulfilledasneverbefore,norsince,inHis“obedienceuntodeath,
eventhedeathofthecross”;Messianicprophecyisaccomplished;Redemp@oniscompleted;
“Hehathfinishedthetransgression,andmadereconcilia@onforiniquity,andbroughtin
everlas@ngrighteousness,andsealedupthevisionandprophecy,andanointedaholyofholies”;
HehasinauguratedthekingdomofGodandgivenbirthtoanewworld.20
• Hesaw,therefore,thatallwasaccomplishedthatwasrequiredtobedonebeforeHereceived
thevinegar,andgaveuptheghost;andthatthisalsomightbeaccomplishedwhichthescripture
hadforetold,“Andinmythirsttheygavemevinegartodrink,”Hesaid,“Ithirst:”asifitwere,
Onethings@llyouhavefailedtodo,givemewhatyouare.FortheJews,andinfactallmankind,
werethemselvesthevinegar,degeneratedastheywerefromthewineofthepatriarchsand
prophets;andfilledlikeafullvesselwiththewickednessofthisworld,withheartslikeasponge,
deceiXulintheforma@onofitscavernousandtortuousrecesses.Butthehyssop,whereonthey
placedthespongefilledwithvinegar,beingalowlyherb,andpurgingtheheart,wefitlytakefor
thehumilityofChristHimself;whichtheythusenclosed,andimaginedtheyhadcompletely
ensnared.Hence,wehaveitsaidinthepsalm,“Thoushaltpurgemewithhyssop,andIshallbe
cleansed.”7ForitisbyChrist’shumilitythatwearecleansed;because,hadHenothumbled
20Jamieson,R.,Fausset,A.R.,&Brown,D.(1997).CommentaryCri$calandExplanatoryontheWhole
Bible(Vol.2,p.167).OakHarbor,WA:LogosResearchSystems,Inc.
Himself,andbecameobedientuntothedeathofthecross,Hisbloodcertainlywouldnothave
beenshedfortheremissionofsins,or,inotherwords,forourcleansing.21(phraseinitalics
added)
• “WhenJesusthereforehadreceivedthevinegar,Hesaid,Itisfinished.”What,butall,that
prophecyhadforetoldsolongbefore?Andthen,becausenothingnowremainedthats@ll
requiredtobedonebeforeHedied,asifHe,whohadpowertolaydownHislifeandtotakeit
upagain,hadatlengthcompletedallforwhosecomple@onHewaswai@ng,“HebowedHis
head,andgaveuptheghost.”Whocanthussleepwhenhepleases,asJesusdiedwhenHe
pleased?Whoistherethatthusputsoffhisgarmentwhenhepleases,asHeputoffHisfleshat
Hispleasure?Whoistherethatthusdeparts3whenhepleases,asHedepartedthislifeatHis
pleasure?Howgreatthepower,tobehopedforordreaded,thatmustbeHisasjudge,ifsuch
wasthepowerHeexhibitedasadyingman!22
‘Itisfinished’…fromtheGreektetelestaimeansthepriceisallpaid!
WhileourEnglishlanguagetranslates‘itisfinished’intoathree-wordphrase,itisactuallyone
wordintheGreeklanguage.Thewordwasrecognizabletothosestandingwithinearshot,andwould
havebeencommonlyusedbymerchantstomean“Thepriceisallpaid!”“Shepherdsandpriestsusedit
whentheyfoundaperfectsheep,readyforsacrifice,andChristdiedastheperfectLambofGod.
Servants,whentheirworkwascompleted,wouldusethiswordwhenrepor@ngtotheirmasters.” 23Jesus
hadaccomplishedHisatoningworkforthesinsoftheworld.Remember,ourrela@onshipwithGodhad
beendestroyedintheGardeninGenesis3,butthedeathofJesusmadepossibleourrela@onshipwith
Godagain.Yousee,everysinneraccumulatesadebtorpunishmenttobepaidforhisorherrebellion.
GodhatessinandcannottolerateitinHispresence,henceourexpulsionfromthegarden.ButinChrist,
God’swrathtowardsoursinisappeased.ThisiswhyPaulwritesinRomans5:9,“Since,therefore,we
havenowbeenjus$fiedbyhisblood,muchmoreshallwebesavedbyhimfromthewrathofGod.”We
eachoweadebtthatwecouldneverpay.So,whenJesusu\eredtheword‘Itisfinished’,Hewassaying
thatourdebthadbeenpaid.Jesushasoff[email protected]
iswhyit’scalledgrace.Thisisalsowhyoursalva@oncouldneverbeearned,butratheritwas
accomplished.
WhenJesussaid‘Itisfinished’…WHATdoesthatmeanforme?!?
1.Hislovehaschosenme…soaboveallthesethingsIshouldputonlove.
Explana/on:
21Augus@neofHippo.(1888).LecturesorTractatesontheGospelaccordingtoSt.John.InP.Schaff(Ed.),
J.Gibb&J.Innes(Trans.),St.Augus$n:HomiliesontheGospelofJohn,HomiliesontheFirstEpistleof
John,Soliloquies(Vol.7,pp.433–434).NewYork:Chris@anLiteratureCompany.
22Augus@neofHippo.(1888).LecturesorTractatesontheGospelaccordingtoSt.John.InP.Schaff(Ed.),
J.Gibb&J.Innes(Trans.),St.Augus$n:HomiliesontheGospelofJohn,HomiliesontheFirstEpistleof
John,Soliloquies(Vol.7,p.434).NewYork:Chris@anLiteratureCompany.
23Wiersbe,W.W.(1992).Wiersbe’sexpositoryoutlinesontheNewTestament(p.264).Wheaton,IL:
VictorBooks.
‘Itisfinished’meansthattheloveofGodhasaccomplishedwhatthepowersofHellcouldnotprevent.
JesusbreathedHislastbreathsowemightbreathenewlife,sowecouldbreatheagain;HegaveupHis
spiritsothatwemightreceivetheHolySpirit;Hediedsothatwemighthavelife.Mylifeisnowdefined
bythefinishedworkofJesusonthecross.AnotherwayofsayingthatisthattheloveofGodnow
definesmylife.PaulwritesinColossians3:12-14,“Putonthen,asGod’schosenones,holyandbeloved,
compassionatehearts,kindness,humility,meekness,andpa$ence,bearingwithoneanotherand,ifone
hasacomplaintagainstanother,forgivingeachother;astheLordhasforgivenyou,soyoualsomust
forgive.Andabovealltheseputonlove,whichbindseverythingtogetherinperfectharmony.”
Applica/on:
IfyouareafollowerofJesus,thenGodhaschosenyou…
andifGodhaschosenyouthenyouareholyandbeloved…
andifyouareholyandbelovedPaulinstructsusandaboveallthingsputonlove.
ThetermusedforloveisagapeandthemostcommonwordusedintheNTtodescribeGod’skindof
love.TherearefourprimarywordsforthetermloveintheNT.Thefirstthreehavetodowithfriendship,
paren@ngorfamily,andthethirddescribesthetypeoflovereservedforthemarriagebed.Butagape,
thefourthword,meanstocareforsomeonemo@vatedbythelovethatGodhasdemonstratedtowards
us.WhenJesussaid‘itisfinished’,Hehadcompletedthegreatestexpressionofagape.So,bywayof
applica@on,welovebecauseGodhaslovedus,andwedemonstrateloveinthesamemannerthatChrist
hasdemonstratedlovetowardsus.Wearetolovepeoplesacrificially,holis@cally,anduncondi@onally.
Therefore,inaworldwherepeoplearesoquicktochoosesidesforanynumberofreasons:
• Poli@calpreferencesorconvic@ons
• Heritage,genderand/orethnicity
• Causesthatonegroupdeemsmoreimportantthansomeoneelse’scause
• Aresponsetoinjus@cethatthenemphasizesapopula@onofpeoplethatma\er
Thelistcouldgoonandon,butthepointisclear,weareasocietyofindividualswhochosesides.Many
dayswefeellikeaculturethatmustconstantlydecidewhatteamwewanttobeonwithsomanyissues.
Andlivinginaworldthatseemstobegoingthroughatsunamiofchangeonanannualbasis,thiswhole
wayoflifecanbepre\[email protected]first,whatifwechoselove(agape)
instead.Whatifthemajorityofourenergywasn’twastedalwaysdecidingwhoisrightorwhoiswrong?
Whatifwewerethepeoplewhochosetolovetheperpetratorandthevic@m.Sure,wemaylovethe
vic@mbyprotec@ngthemfromtheperpetrator,butthepointiss@llthesame,webeginandfocusour
@meandenergybyloving.
Theworldisfullofpeoplewhoarecomfortablechoosingsidesoverandoverandfi{ngintodifferent
boxesorteams.Butwhatiftherewereagroupofpeoplewhohadsomethingsoincredible
accomplishedforthem,somethingtheycouldneveraccomplishontheirown,andthataccomplishment
freedthemtospendtheremainderoftheirlivesfreelysharingtheaccomplishmentwitheveryoneelse.
‘Itisfinished’equalslovehaschosenyouandnowyougettochooselove.Remember,lovedidn’tchose
youbecauseyouareRepublicanorDemocrat,blackorwhite,AmericanorSyrian,NO,lovechoseyou
becauseGodisloveandsimplymadethedecisiontoextendlovetoeachofus.Therefore,sincethere
wasn’taprerequisitebywhichJesuslovedme,thereshouldn’tbeaprerequisitebywhichIloveothers.
So,therealworldtakeawaycanbesimplystated:CHOSELOVE…NOTSIDES.
2.Hisfinishedworkhassecuredmyfuture…soIcannowlivevictorious
Explana/on:
First,wehaveseenthat‘itisfinished’isthecomple@onofthegreatestdemonstra@onoflove,andthatif
theloveofJesushaschosenyouthenlovingothersissimplyanexpressionofyouriden@ty.Secondly,‘It
isfinished’isavictorycrybecauseJesushadvictoriouslyfinishedandbeenobedienttotheFather’swill.
MaxLucadoexplaineditthiswayinhisamazingbookNoWonderTheyCallHimTheSavior:
“Whatwasfinished?Thehistory-longplanofredeemingmanwasfinished.ThemessageofGod
tomanwasfinished.TheworksdonebyJesusasamanonearthwerefinished.Thetaskof
selec@ngandtrainingambassadorswasfinished.Thejobwasfinished.Thesonghadbeensung.
Thebloodhadbeenpoured.Thesacrificehadbeenmade.Thes@ngofdeathhadbeenremoved.
Itwasover.Acryofdefeat?Hardly.HadhishandsnotbeenfasteneddownIdaresaythata
triumphantfistwouldhavepunchedthedarksky.No,thisisnocryofdespair.Itisacryof
[email protected].” 24
OurfuturesaresecuredbecausewerestinthefinishedworkofChrist.WelooktoJesuswhois“The
authorandfinisherofourfaith,whoforthejoythatwassetbeforeHimenduredthecross,despisingthe
shame,andhassatdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod”(Hebrews12:2).BecauseJesushas
accomplishedthegreatworkofourredemp@on,weneednotliveinfearofanycondemna@on!AwellknownBri@shpastorfromthe1800’ssaiditthisway,“Weneednotfearthateithersin,orSatan,orlaw
shallcondemnusatthelastday.Wemayleanbackonthethought,thatwehaveaSaviorwhohasdone
all,paidall,accomplishedall,performedallthatisnecessaryforoursalva@on.” 25TheApostlePaulputs
anexclama@onpointonthisideaforuswhenhewritesinRomans8:34-35:“Whoistocondemn?Christ
Jesusistheonewhodied—morethanthat,whowasraised—whoisattherighthandofGod,who
indeedisintercedingforus.WhoshallseparateusfromtheloveofChrist?Shalltribula$on,ordistress,
orpersecu$on,orfamine,ornakedness,ordanger,orsword?”
Applica/on:
[email protected],let’shighlightafewrealworld
takeaways:
• Idon’thavetomeasureuporaccomplishanythingbeforeGodwillloveandredeemme,Jesus
hasaccomplishedeverythingnecessaryformysalva$on
• Icanlivemylifefreeoffearandcondemna$onbecausethereisnoenemythatcanundowhat
Christhasaccomplished
• Icanlivemylifefreefromworryandanxietybecausenothingcanseparatemefromtheloveof
God…notevenmyownsin
• Icanlivewithasenseofpeace,freedom,andconfidencebecausemyself-worthisfoundinthe
finishedworkofJesus
ThegreatchallengeforallourlivesistolivedailyinwhatJesushasaccomplished.Toremindourselves
eachdaythatwedon’thavetomeasureupbeforeGodwillloveme;thatinHislovethereisnotfear,
condemna@on,worry,oranxiety;andthatbecauseitisfinishedIcanexperiencepeace,freedomand
confidenceinmyeverydaylife.Mayweallpreachtoourselveseachday,witheachsunrise,ITIS
FINISHED.AndmaywealldecidethatwitheachdaygivenwewilllivelikewebelievethatITISFINISHED.
24Lucado,Max.NoWonderTheyCallHimtheSavior.Portland,Or.:MultnomahPress,1986.,p.61
25Ryle,J.C.ExpositoryThoughtsontheGospels.Vol.4.John10:31-John21:25.GrandRapids,MI:Baker
BookHouse,2007.
3.Hisdeathhasallowedmylifetobegin…soIcanliveredeemed
‘Itisfinished’meansthatlovechoseussoaboveallweputonlove,andthatwecanlivevictoriousinthe
accomplishedworkofJesus.Butfinally,whenJesusu\eredthatfinalwordandtookHisfinalbreath,He
wasmakingitpossibleformylifecanbegin.Finished…[email protected]
(2Cor.5:21)sothatIcouldbecomeasaint.Heastreatedlikehedeservedhell,sothatIcouldlive
[email protected]“derivedfromaLa@nrootmeaning“tobuyback,”
thusmeaningthelibera@onofanypossession,object,orperson,usuallybypaymentofaransom.In
Greek,therootwordmeans“toloose”andsotofree.Thetermisusedoffreeingfromchains,slavery,or
prison.” 26ThepriceforourfreedomwasthedeathofJesus.WhenJesuscriedoutonelastwordand
breathedonelastbreath,Hewasessen@allysaying:
Ihavedoneeverythingnecessarytobuybackmypeople,
tosetthemfreeandbreakthechainsofsinthatbindthem,
todeliverthemoutofslaverytotheirowndepravity,
torescuethemfromtheprisonofdarknessandintothemarvelouslight
BecauseITISFINISHED,Icannowliveredeemed.BecauseITISFINISHED,mystorycannowbegin.
Session 4 SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:
1. Whatdoesthephrase‘Itisfinished’mean?Howdoesthatapplytoourredemp@onand
salva@on?
2. WhywasitsoimportantforJesustocompleteHissacrifice?
3. Whatprohibitssomeonefromlivingredeemed?Offerspecificexamplesof
circumstances,a{tudesandbehaviors.
4. WhatdoesJesus’prayerinJohn19:30teachusaboutfaithfulnessandobedience?How
canwefollowJesus’exampleinobedienceandsacrificiallove?
5. ReadRomans3:23-26&Ephesians1:7.Basedonthesepassages,whenyouhearthe
phrase,“LiveRedeemed”,whatdoesthatmeantoyou?Areyoulivingredeemed?
26Elwell,W.A.,&Comfort,P.W.(2001).InTyndaleBibledic$onary(p.1114).Wheaton,IL:Tyndale
HousePublishers.