140-113 The Heart of Jesus
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Selected Scriptures
Selected Scriptures
Scripture Reading: Luke 23:33-49
A person's dying words are often said to reveal their true heart and deepest thoughts. These final words are believed to be a reflection of the person's innermost desires, regrets, and feelings as they face the end of their life.
Sometimes people will speak in their last moments to share words of affection, forgiveness, and appreciation to their loved ones. But they may also reveal regrets, fears, and unresolved issues. These words can shed light on the person's struggles and inner turmoil, showing their vulnerability and humanity in the face of death.
Many have used their dying words to express their trust & joy in the LJC.
Charles Wesley—“I shall be satisfied with thy likeness—satisfied, satisfied!”
Martin Luther—“Our God is the God from whom cometh salvation: God is the Lord by whom we escape death.” (Ps 68:20)
John Bunyan— “Weep not for me, but for yourselves. I go to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will, no doubt, through the mediation of his blessed Son, receive me, though a sinner; where I hope we ere long shall meet, to sing the new song, and remain everlastingly happy, world without end. Amen”
Today is traditionally called “Palm Sunday” to what is referred to as the beginning of “The Passion Week.” It was on this day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfillment of the Scriptures (Zech 9:9) and would set in motion God’s plan to deal with sin, transgression, iniquity and bring forgiveness, reconciliation and righteousness.
The week ends at The Cross. That Friday (Good Friday—God’s Friday) would begin early in the morning (Jesus did not sleep all night—as He was arrested) as He underwent 6 trials before daylight and the actual crucifixion (began at 9am).
Crucifixion was a cruel and barbaric form of capital punishment. Romans weren’t the first ones to employ it (Persians in 3-4th C BC) but they certainly perfected it as a method of a slow death with maximum pain and suffering.
It wasn’t just being nailed to a cross—other punishments legally accompanied crucifixions. JAMA article (3/21/86) “The Physical Death of JC” looked at pathological results of the crucifixion. (Goes into great depth—illustrating what it would have been like).
Preliminary scourging: everyone crucified was always legally scourged beforehand. Beginning with stripping the man and using “flagrum” (short whip made of 2-3 leather straps/ropes connected to a handle. The leather thongs were generally knotted with small pieces of metal and bone attached at different intervals. Scourging quickly removed the skin. Sometimes the Roman flagrum contained a hook of metal at the end and was given the terrifying name “The scorpion.” Jewish law mandated no more than 39 lashes be given (Jesus ???)
This would move into the crowning of thorns. The guards would often hit the man over the head with reeds causing deep penetration into the scalp.
The condemned man was then sentenced to carry his cross (75 lbs) naked thru the city to the site of crucifixion. By this time, the Lord had been awake all night (anguish before the mock trials). He had been walking over 2.5 miles during the past several hours and with the blood loss due to the scourging would have been weakened. Simon of Cyrene was then chosen to carry His cross the rest of the way.
As they reached the site, a mild analgesic was given (wine and myrrh) which Jesus refused. The criminal was thrown to the ground again opening the wounds on the back. Tapered iron nails were driven thru the wrists and feet.
Authors state that the major effect of crucifixion beyond the excruciating pain was the interference of normal respiration.
Breathing was shallow, muscles would cramp further hindering the ability to breath. It was made easier if the man would lift his body by pushing on the feet and flexing the elbows but would also bring fiery pain.
Said that a person who was crucified died a thousands deaths. The major cause of death was due to asphyxiation.
It would have been very difficult for Jesus to speak in this condition. The Gospels record that Jesus spoke 7 times while He was hanging on the cross (total of 41 words—Gk & Aramaic) before He died. These final words at the cross reveal the heart of our Savior. I would set before you the very character of Jesus as He speaks in these final hours before death.
1) His Compassion
1) His Compassion
33 When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. 34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.
Those who were the instruments of crucifixion, in the midst of diving His garments (also fulfilled prophecy—Ps 22:18), Jesus showed deep compassion toward His tormentors. Even after living thru mankind’s worst treatments (esp over the last 12 hours) this one act of intercession summed up the basic purpose of the cross.
17 “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Jesus could have called upon God to execute judgment upon these wicked men but His mission was not judgment but mercy. He certainly understood the wretchedness of human heart “they know not…” Not that they were unaware that they were sinning but they didn’t understand the enormity of their crime. They were actually crucifying God—they didn’t recognize that Jesus was the Light of the world—Paul says “for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor 2:8).
Every person needs forgiveness—not just His executioners. Forgiveness is only way to be ushered into presence of holy God. Christ prayed for the most profound need of those who were killing Him. We are sinners and forgiveness is the only way we can avoid hell and spend eternity with God. Jesus understood this deep need and despite the brutality of His tormentors He wanted to spend eternity with them—showing great compassion.
This prayer does not guarantee that all will be saved. Forgiveness is not given to those who remain in sin and unbelief. But it is offered to all who hear and will respond to the gospel thru repentance and faith.
43 “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
We see a compassionate Savior.
2) His Comfort
2) His Comfort
The LJ has provided tremendous comfort for those who call upon the name of the Lord. In His 2nd statement He does this toward one of the criminals being crucified with Him. There were 2 career criminals hanging on each side of Him (Dismas & Gestas).
Lk 23:39-43;
They had both participated in hurling abuses at Christ near the beginning (Mt 27:44). But at some point (possibly in seeing His compassion) one of the criminals is changed (vv 39-42). There was a change in this man demonstrated by his confession:
Confessed his wrong-doing
Confessed true nature of LJC
Asks to be remembered in the Lord’s kingdom (Jesus was kingly). But this is a humble request (not for place of honor—James & John).
With great comforting assurance (No individual has been given a more explicit assurance of salvation than this man)—JEsus responds in 2nd statement.
43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
The thief was convinced of the innocence of J.C. knew He was the Savior. But how was it possible for Him to come to Christ while dying a career criminal? There is no clearer Scripture pointing to the fact that salvation is not about man’s works but the sovereign work of God. God moved this sinner’s heart and convinced him of the truth about J.C. Salvation is always the direct result of God’s intervening grace.
Jesus desires for salvation of men (always a constant). He came to seek and save the lost (Lk 19:10). He accomplished this while even dying on the cross. This is a comforting promise to those who believe in Him.
3) His Care
3) His Care
Jn 19:26-27;
vs 25 sets the scene: 5 people vastly different from mocking crowd—
Mary (His mother), Mary’s sister (perhaps Salome—James & John), Mary (wife of Clopas), Mary Magdalene—AND John who always referred to himself in this gospel as “the disciples whom Jesus loved”
The pain of watching Jesus die would have been difficult for these people but much more so for His mother. The prophecy given by Simeon when Mary & Joseph dedicated Jesus at the Temple is esp. noteworthy:
35 and a sword will pierce even your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”
Romans crucified people close to the ground—easier to erect than the towering crosses that are generally pictured. They most likely were able to touch Jesus and watching the suffering of the Lord was intensely agonizing. As the 5 were standing near the cross they could hear Jesus:
26 When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.
He called her woman (term of respect) b/c the earthly relationship was over. Mary had no special claim to salvation b/c she was the mother of Jesus. She had to respond to Him in faith just like every other believer. That is far from the teaching of some that Mary deserves the titles of co-redemptrix, co-mediatrix, advocate—queen of heaven, etc. That is a form of idolatry to give Mary honor that, in effect, gives her equal status in the redemptive work of the Son. Christ still honored her in perfect obedience to 5th commandment. But she needed the salvation that He alone provides
“Behold…son” wasn’t speaking of himself but probably nodded over to John. As Jesus was dying His heart/care/concern was on His mother—she was perhaps the most needful of all those that day. Joseph had already passed away and the Lord wasn’t going to commit the care of His mother into the hand of His unbelieving half-brothers. He committed her into the care of John and just so John got the message also—“behold your mother.” Vs 27
We should follow Christ’s example—never so overwhelmed by our pain that we lose sight of the needs of others. That is the example set by Christ—showing great care for others.
4) His Commitment
4) His Commitment
Mt 27:45-46;
About 9th hour—Jewish reckoning of time (3 pm). Jesus on cross 6 hours.
Darkness fell “upon all the land” Gk also trans. “earth” the darkness was not localized but universal. Historians have recounted others parts where rulers commented on the darkness during this precise time.
The Bible doesn’t explain what this darkness meant. Jews understood and taught that the darkening of the sun signified God’s judgment on the world b/c of remarkable sins. If this is the purpose—then cross is a perfect illustration of God’s judgment falling upon His Son b/c of the sin being atoned.
Obviously darkness is a feature in the coming Day of the Lord where God will judge. Luke uses the term eklipontos but moon and sun were not near each other. It was a miracle—supernatural darkness.
But the true miracle that day—How God was separated from God.
“My God…” quoted from Ps 22 (called the 5th gospel—NT quotes or alludes to it 15 times).
“forsaken” in both Hebrew, Gk & Aramaic—speaks of abandonment. Christ was in utter anguish b/c the Father was visiting divine judgment upon Him and there was now a separation within the Godhead—never before experienced. The cry of Jesus’ heart was depicting how the eternal unbroken relationship b/t Himself and God had been severed b/c of sin’s consequence. Man could not separate Christ from God, Satan, demons-only sin could have done that. The anticipation of being forsaken was what caused Jesus to sweat drops of blood in the garden of Geth. The Lord’s commitment to redeem sinners is taken to the absolute extreme—abandonment by His Father.
2 Cor 5:21 “He made Him---to be sin”
Jesus didn’t simply carry sin—He became sin/without becoming a sinner. This is our sin, transgressions, iniquities (Is 53).
Sin always separates. Every relationship is broken b/c of sin—esp with God. Jesus was dying on the cross as a substitute for others. The guilt of every sin committed by every believer was imputed to Christ (on His account). The perfect, sinless Lamb of God became that sin and God poured upon His Son His wrath and justice as if He committed those sins.
Jesus could endure the pain of torture, but the pain of abandonment was so far greater so as to alienate God from God. That shouldn’t surprise us—God is too holy to look upon sin too pure to approve evil (Hab 1:13).
Separation from God is how we all come into the world. Our sin demands reconciliation with the holy God if we were to escape eternal torment in hell.
Yet our sin still separates. Are we so distressed over our sin and grieved by it b/c we feel God’s separation from us? Or are we more prone to accuse God of abandonment in the midst of trials and tribulations than in our sin and rebellion?
Miracle—God was separated from God. The Holy One is separated from the Holy God. This is the length Christ would go to in order to save the lost from eternal judgment. This is His commitment to be the Savior of the world.
5) His Craving
5) His Craving
Jn 19:28-29;
Was Jesus fully human? Absolutely. He encountered and expressed all the conditions of human need—tired, hunger, thirsty, weary, slept, sorrowed, wept. He craved human sympathy and support.
Some have accused Jesus of “Manipulative histrionics” claiming to say what He said simply so that Scriptures could be fulfilled. But if Jesus said it and was not thirsty He would be guilty of lying, right?
A man who has lost a good amount of blood, hanging on a cross under the near-eastern sun would have been severely dehydrated. That would have been part of the torture.
So that Scripture would be fulfilled, God’s sovereign, providential plan of redemption would be accomplished precisely as God authored it, He was pleading for relief from a condition He was truly suffering from—Jesus was thirsty, He needed a drink and couldn’t get it for Himself—He depended on others.
God is concerned about fulfilling every promise—including something as mundane as a drink.
That was spoken
21 They also gave me gall for my food And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
“Sour wine” was a kind of cheap wine that was consumed by the masses. There was a container of it which suggests that it was for use at the crucifixion site. This was different from the wine and myrrh drink He refused earlier. He didn’t want to dull/mask the pain.
A simple request indicates how serious God is about fulfilling everything in Scripture and by way of example, Jesus shows us in our human weakness how to depend on others. He craved that sympathy and support.
6) His Conquest
6) His Conquest
Jn 19:30;
Tetelestai—“key word of the 4th Gospel”
“carry out a task, bring to an end, complete, finish”
The entire life of Jesus was lived for this very purpose—to fulfill the Father’s will.
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.
4 “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.
Scripture is fulfilled, God’s plan of redemption is completed, The purpose of Jesus’ mission is accomplished, sinners can be reconciled to the holy God, death is defeated, power of sin is overcome, the works of the devil have been destroyed.
Colossians 2:14-15 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
His work was done. He completed everything that His life was ordained to accomplish. This is not a moment of defeat but victory/conquest.
John Marsh “It cannot be too strongly emphasized that for John the cross is the instrument and point of victory, not the point of defeat which has to be reversed on Easter morning.”
7) His Confidence
7) His Confidence
46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.
Immediately following tetelestai
Every pious Jew was familiar with this commitment (pm prayer) Psalm 31:5 “5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.”
23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Jesus went to the cross voluntarily. He had to if He was to die the only kind of death that would satisfy divine justice. A natural death would have made this impossible to cry out with a loud voice—asphyxiation, no oxygen, mind incoherent. It was another indication that Christ was in complete control over His life even in His final breath.
11 “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
17 “For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 “No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”
Jesus once again addressed God as Father—no longer cut off/ abandoned. Wrath was over, hell was gone. Judgment was finished. He expresses an overwhelming confidence in the Father’s sufficiency to sustain Him even in death.
The people who knew and loved Christ understood to some extent what He was saying. To commend your spirit into the hands of God meant complete trust and dependence on Him and those around were immediately impacted.
Luke 23:47 centurion
47 Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent.”
Why did Jesus trust God? B/c God ALWAYS keeps His Word:
10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
Best measure of a man is not how he lives but how he dies. Jesus’ life & death provides a supreme example for us to follow. Some of life’s greatest pursuits were uttered in these last words of the Lord: forgiving others, giving the truth to condemned souls, loving others selflessly, understanding the implications of sin, admitting our weaknesses and allowing others to meet our needs. As Christ finished His work, we are called to finish the work God entrusted to us and commit our lives into the hands of a caring Father whose promises are always true.
The resurrection of Christ provides us with victory over sin and death and for those who trust in God’s provision for salvation will too be raised to new life. Not perfection—still struggle with sin. But we are given the righteousness of the Son of God and look forward to perfection when we stand before Him in heaven.