It Is Finished

As I said in just a moment, we will be reading out of the Gospel of John will be reading the story and John 18 and 19 of Jesus's arrest trial crucifixion and burial. But before we get there, I wanted us to consider this tonight. In Romans, 1:16 Paul States these words. He says I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes pulses to the Jew first and also to the Greek you are immediately struck with this declaration. It's a powerful declaration.

But then you have to ask the question. Why would he have to make such a declaration?

Why would he have to stand up and say I'm not ashamed of something just stand up and say that you're not ashamed assumes that people think that you should be ashamed.

tonight As We Gather let us consider why impulse world Would he have to make this declaration Paul says I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ the two Central events of the Christian Gospel that are the crucifixion of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus. Since tonight our focus is on remembering Jesus's crucifixion on a Roman cross. I think if we stop and consider we will understand why Paul needed to make this declaration why he needed to make this statement? Now and another letter, he wrote these words. He says that Jesus Christ humbled himself. He took on the form of a man. He humbled himself to become an obedient servant and then he says he was a servant who was obedient unto death and then Paul emphasizes this he says even death on the cross. Tonight I want us together. We're not just remembering Jesus's death. We're remembering the way in which Jesus died. The mode in which Jesus died said this that it's not just the death. That was the scandal of Jesus's life. It was the way in which he died. So let's remember. Jesus's crucifixion. Let's consider this let's consider the two cultures to whom Paul addresses in Romans 1:16. We have a Jewish culture there and we have Greek culture. One of scholar and I probably have his first name wrong. It's either Jurgen or Jurgen moltmann. He describes how both cultures would have responded to somebody die on a cross. He said an Israelite understanding someone executed in this way was rejected by his people. He was cursed among the people of God by the god of an executed word excluded from covenant life because Deuteronomy 21:23 rights States. These words cursed be everyone that hangs on a tree. So what man continues and says anyone who was condemned by the law as a blasphemer and suffer such a death is a cursed and excluded from the circle of living in from The Fellowship Of God, so quite simply to the Jews. He was cursed not just cursed by man, but cursed by God.

Maltman continues and he says to the humanism of antiquity to the Gentile at Ellen Gypsy of the day if that's polistic world.

Crucifixion was regarded as the most degrading it kind of punishment. That's Roman humanism always felt that the religion of the Cross as they called Christianity. They consider it to be Unapologetic unrespectful and perverse. It was regarded as an offense against good manners to speak of this hideous death a death that was usually reserved his slaves to speak of this hideous death and the presence of respectable people Paul is writing to these two groups of people to these two people from these cultures and saying Hey, listen, I know you Jews think that it's a curse for me to hang on a tree.

Lyrics to the great places. I know you think that it's honest that a pin unrespectable.

to speak of crucifixion in public But I'm not ashamed of it.

My brother's my sister's the cross has us worshipping one who was determined cursed cursed by God or Chris my man and cursed by God. And one who not only they cursed but who is degraded? I want us to think about this Dugard degradation for a moment.

One noted Rider suffered from cancer for many years about her suffering and and how she felt about it. She said it is not suffering as such that is most deeply feared but it's the suffering that degrades. I remember whenever my grandfather was it was the last weeks of his life.

My grandfather needed some assistance in a very personal matter. And I was there. And I was lending the assistance.

My grandfather can even look at me. He was embarrassed. He was ashamed. And I think about this my grandfather had been pretty strong and pretty healthy up until that point and I sometimes wondered I wonder if he got to that point and said I can't live like this. The people are going to have to help me in such a way. I can't help like this. I think about this degradation. If we tie this to the crucifixion listen to what one would writer has said they said the crucifixion was specifically designed to be the ultimate insult to personal dignity. It was the last word and humiliating and dehumanizing treatment. Degradation was the whole point. Southern Joel green describes what would have been the lived experience of Jesus at his crucifixion? Jesus was executed publicly situated on a major crossroads on a well traffic Road. He was devoid of clothing.

And under normal circumstances, he would have been left to be eaten by birds and beasts. As a victim of crucifixion than Jesus was subject to Optimal unmitigated vicious ridicule.

Impulse world then and it would be no different if crucifixion were still in common practice in our world. It was necessary for him to stand in the face of this event, which ruled one cursed and strip them of all their dignity and all of their Humanity. It would be absolutely necessary to stand in the face of that and say I'm not ashamed

my brothers and my sisters here's what I'm thinking tonight. We are gathered to Proclaim with Paul that we two are not ashamed of the Gospel not ashamed of the Cross stands at the center and I love this gives us the reason we don't even have to hunt and Peck and search for it pulses to here's why I'm not ashamed he says because it is it is this gospel in the cross and the resurrection this gospel, which has the power to at which is the power of Salvation unto everyone who believes

As We Gather every celebrate

it's stand in the face of what should be a curse and a dehumanizing event. I want us to remember. We have no reason to be ashamed.

Because it is through his death. through his burial and through his resurrection that you and I Have been saved.

think about the salvation This is the Salvation which Peter tells of holy men of old. In the preacher of Hebrews said even angels sought to know. Computer says this he says but it has been preached or proclaimed unto us who believe.

It is the Salvation which was bought with the precious blood of Christ was crucified on a Roman cross.

tonight we stand here saying that we are not ashamed we are doing so as we've been singing these songs the songs which

play songs which give thanks and praise to the one who gave himself as a ransom for many. And Harold The God Who was in Christ reconciling the world to himself we are going to do so in a moment as we recount the story of his suffering death on a Roman cross. And then just in a few moments we will do so through partaking of the elements, which tell this whole story around the table.

We declare with Paul that we are not ashamed tonight. and my prayer is that you and I as we keep remembering

as we keep remembering this death. Which was supposed to take everything from Christ. and which did

but gave you and I are hope for anyting. That you and I will never be ashamed. amen

It was a powerful a man Oliver. now then

let us read the story. Jesus's last night y'all can join me and John chapter number 18, if you don't have a Bible get next to somebody who does or this is a good time to pull out your smartphone and download the Bible app.

John chapter number 18. If not, you can just sit back and you can listen.

Just accept the thing.

Just before the event that we are going to read hear. Jesus had met with his disciples in an upper room and in that room he gave them. He gave them a meal and he said this Mill is going to be a meal that you're you're going to partake in to remember what's going to happen. And at this point the disciples, although they should have known. still work Lewis

and gladly they were very upfront about that. John was one of the eyewitness disciples. He's right names. I can't wait. We didn't know what was going on.

But after he left that Upper Room Jesus took his disciples and they walked through the Kidron Valley and he gave them some object lessons. We know in John chapter number 15. He talks about being the he is the vine and they are the branches. You can imagine this The Garden of Gethsemane is is not only an olive Orchard, but there was also a Vineyards there so you could imagine that. Jesus wasn't just going. Good illustration. Jesus was walking by a Vine and he was walking by these branches and he was saying you see how this grape is. It's being produced. That's me. And these are you

and then jesus takes them into the Garden of Gethsemane.

And he leaves them to pray and he goes off and he's praying himself and John 17 we have what has commonly been referred to as the high Priestly prayer, but as we've seen it it is the prayer for Jesus's disciples the ones who were with him and the ones who were yet to come. So even you and I are included in that prayer. It's immediately following this prayer.

That we pick up here and I'll pick up in the middle of verse number 18 it says. Jesus went forth with his disciples over the book Catcher on where there was a garden in to what she entered and his disciples and Judas also which betrayed him knew the place for Jesus off times Resort at scissor with his disciples Judas than having received the band of men and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees they come and sit there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus there for knowing all things that should come upon him went forth and said unto him whom siki And they answered Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus said unto them. I am he

hate to do this next thing that happened since Judas betrayed him stood with them. And as soon as Jesus said unto them, I am he they went backward and fell to the ground. I don't know. I don't imagine being so nothing of the rest of the story shows Jesus with a lot of bravado. But I wonder if they're just a little taken back and it and it is his power, but they're a little taken back that he's not running and hiding.

Have you standing before them?

So they went backward and fell to the ground then ask Jesus to them again whom siki? and they said Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus answered and said I told you that I am he If therefore you seek me let these go their way and then John Adams just know he says Jesus said this so that the same might be filled which he spoke of them. And then you quotes Jesus think of them with y'all gave me I have lost none in the in the prayer just before this Jesus as I want you to keep them and I've not lost them in Jesus prays for protection over his disciples. It says when Simon Peter heard this he drew out his sword and he smoked the high priest's servant and he cut off his right ear now the servants name was melkus. Then said Jesus unto Peter put up thy sword into the sheath the cup which my father has given me shall I not drink it?

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus they bound him and they let him away to Anna's first for he was the father-in-law to Caiaphas. Caiaphas was the high priest that same here. No Caiaphas was he which gave Council to the Jews that it was expedient? That one man should die for the people and you can read that earlier on in John's gospel John chapter number 11.

Virginia Jesus is arrested and he's taken to the high priest. Go check in with the disciples. And Simon Peter was followed Jesus and so did another disciple that was known unto the high priest. And they went in unto Jesus and the other disciple went in with Jesus into the Palace of the high priest, but Peter stood at the door without. Then went out the other disciple which was known unto the high priest and he spoke to her that kept the door and brought in Peter. Vincent the damsel that kept the door under Peter are no doubt. Also one of this man's disciples. Now we go to pay attention. She said aren't you also one of his disciples she knows John. She knows John is a disciple.

And here's what Peter does.

And just so you know, I noticed that so that's why we were in the Bible with fresh eyes. But Peter said I am not. And the servants in the officers stood there and they made a fire of coals and they warm themselves and Peter stood with them and warm himself.

Belden the high priest in Jesus is the high priest then asked Jesus and his disciples end of his Doctrine and Jesus answered him. I spoke openly to the world ever are always taught in the synagogue and in the temple where the Jews always Resort and in secret have I said nothing why I ask is now me. Ask them which heard me I said what I said unto them behold. They know what I said and when he had that smoking one of the officers were stood by Jesus with the palm of his hand Saying answers Del the high priest so And Jesus answered him if I have spoken evil bear witness of the evil. But if well Weiss might Astound me now anise sit him down to Caiaphas the high priest.

Is Simon Peter stood and warmed himself? And they said therefore unto him aren't not that also one of his disciples and he denied it and said I am not. One of the Servants of the high priest being his Kinsman whose ear Peter cut off that did I not see the in the garden or is he though in the garden with him and Peter denied again and immediately the caulk crew?

Then they let Jesus from Caiaphas unto the Hall of judgment. This is Pilots hole and it was early. And this early does it mean early in the day this week early in the wee hours of the morning.

And they themselves went not into the Judgment Hall less they should be defiled that they might eat the Passover but pilot he went out onto them and he said what accusation bring you against the bed and they answered and they said if he were not a malefactor if he had not done wickedly, we would not have denied or delivered him up to the show pilot said unto them take him and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him. It is not lawful for us to put any man to that. And this was all so that the same Jesus might be filled with you smoke signifying what death he should die. He wasn't going to die stoned at the edge of town. He was going to die on the cross.

Then pilot entered into the Judgment Hall again, and he called Jesus and he said unto him and this is Jesus standing trial for his life. If you were standing trial for your life wrongly accused.

Would you be behaving like Jesus is behaving?

Let's consider that question when we read it. Siddhartha King of the Jews and Jesus answered him saying take a selfie of yourself or did others tell tell it be of me. Violet answered am I your Jew that donation in the chief priests have delivered you on to me. What have you done? Jesus answered my kingdom is not of this world. Then my servants would fight that I should not be delivered unto the Jews, but now is my kingdom not from pet store from here. Pilot therefore said unto him a King David and Jesus answered and said they'll say is that I am a king and to this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth here with my voice and pilot said unto him. What is true and here's the deal. We don't know if it's a genuine ass or a pilot is just kind of changing the subject and it's a known sex. What is truth pilate spin around the block? He seems something. But here's how John wants us to leave it and how John leave it for us. If he wants us to wrestle over that question. What is true because Jones already provided the answer off the lips of Jesus. I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the father, but by me.

And when piloted said that she went out again unto the Jews and he said unto them I find it him no fault at all. But listen, you have a cut them that I should release them to you one at the airport that I release them to you the king of the Jews. Been praying all day Friday all again saying not this man. But Barabbas was a robber because that could just mean a common Petty criminal but that's not really what Brabus was Barabbas that we know this from how did Josephus just use the term that we translate robber here? He use the term to speak a revolutionary. And he presents several times. So what you should understand is Travis was one of those guys and his name actually means son of Ava son of the father.

He was probably one of those guys who was a would-be messiah.

He was one of those ones who is leading a band of revolutionaries against Rome Insurrection at the very least. And they said no don't send this Jesus send us Barabbas. I want us to think about this for a second. Jesus wasn't trying to start insurrection. The way that common revolutionaries try to stir beans Direction. Jesus said my kingdom is not of this world. So the way my Kingdom's going to come into this world is not for the sword put your sword of Peter.

But through suffering love love that endures all things.

the kind of love that Paul talks about in 1st Corinthians 13 There's a song that I love and it says. Talked about at the Kingdom.

Jesus said Can a kingdom be divided against itself, you know, like, you know big fight against itself basically song says if he'll cannot conquer hell. Then you tell me you still want to live by the sword.

Brabus was one who live by the sword.

He was popular and they said give us Barabbas. Jesus was one who? Who was by suffering love that some popular they said crucify Jesus.

Chapter 19 citizens pilot therefore took a cheese that's been scourged him and the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns and they put it on his head and he said he'll King of the Jews and they smote him with their hand and pilot went forth again and said unto them to behold I'm bringing forth unto you is that you may know that I find no fault in this man. They came Jesus for wearing the crown of thorns to put the purple robes and pilot said unto him behold the man that they're putting him in on a spectacle here, but it is nothing to compare with.

Well, it says this is going to degrade him and humiliate him enough. It's not enough. It's not enough.

And they cried out. When the chief priests were there for the officer saw him cuz they cried out saying crucify him crucify him. Pilot said unto him taking him and crucify him for I find no fault in him and the Jews answered him. We have a law and viral off he ought to die because he made himself the Son of God said when pilate there for her that say he was the more afraid and you want to get into the judgment and he said unto Jesus with arthel. Where do you come from Jesus? But Jesus gave no answer cuz this and pile it on to him speaker sound not to me. Do you not know that I have the power to crucify the end. I have the power to release the and Jesus answered these words, and we should just stand so boldly. In this case. You have no power at all against me accept it were giving me from above and now I'm just going to send Jesus gives you your power. Gives you your power your power goes.

And he says listen, don't you even worry about it? You're not the one who's delivering me up, right? He says therefore, you know the ones who delivered me unto the end song about Kaya Fest and the religious leaders. She said they has the greater sin. April 4th Pilots ought to release him but the Jews cried out saying if they'll let this man go that are not Caesars friend who so ever make it himself a king Caesar pilot wouldn't go I find no fault by Jewish law. So then they bring in Roman law. Guess what? You don't have another king. There's only Caesar.

Pilot doesn't want to be known as the provincial governor who lets another king wander around his territory. Because he was going to come down on pilot.

And when pilate therefore heard that saying he brought Jesus 4th, he sat down in the judgement seat in a place that is called the pavement butt in Hebrew cabasa, and it was the preparation of the Passover in about the sixth hour and he said unto Jesus or he said unto the Jews behold your king, but they cried out a way with him away with him crucify him and pilot said unto them. I crucify your king and the chief priests answered. We have no King but Caesar then delivered pilate Jesus unto them to be crucified.

And they took Jesus and they let him away any bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of the skull which in is called in the Hebrew golgota. Where they crucified him and two others with him on either side one and Jesus in the midst. and one of the reasons why I wanted us to think about crucifixion, so hardly earlier was because John knows what crucifixion mean and you and I have no idea what crucifixion mean

Yeah, even just a hundred years ago people were accustomed to death.

Now we have Oliver antibiotics. We have all their vaccinations.

We have all of our prescriptions that keep death very far from us.

I want us to think about this in the ancient world. They were very accustomed to people dying.

And they shuddered whatever they heard crucifixion.

John was speaking a mouthful to say the very least whenever he said and they crucified him and you and I go away T. Have a word.

In Pilot, he wrote the title and put it on the cross and this would have been the the accusation. Why did this man get executed will let's just put the accusation that's up there. And the writing was Jesus of Nazareth the king of the Jews and I think John is trying to tell us really thought Jesus was not to make pilot look like Innocent but to go

But listen here this title then read many of the Jews for the place where Jesus was crucified was near to the city and it was written in Hebrew Greek and Latin been to the chief priests to the of the juice the pilot right? Not the king of the Jews write that he said I am the king of the Jews and pilot answered what I have written. I have written Then the soldiers when they had crucified Jesus they took His Garment met and made for parts and to every Soldier apart and also his coat and now listen to code was without seeing if it was rolling from the top throughout. This was a fine coat and they said they're for among themselves, but let's go for it. And this was all said that scripture might be fulfilled and it's recording Psalm 22. They parted my raiment among them and for my vesture they they cast lots these things there for the soldiers did. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother Sister Mary the wife of cleophas and Mary Magdalene and when Jesus therefore saw his mother and the disciple spending by who he loved. He said unto his mother woman Behold thy son then he sets up to the disciple behold his own home. No, I threw this Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished that the scripture might be filled scripture might be fulfilled. He said I thirst Now there was said a vessel of vinegar and they fill the sponge with vinegar and they put up on it hits up and it put it in his mouth. And when Jesus therefore had received the vinegar. He said these words it is finished. Tetelestai is the Greek. It's been accomplished. What's finished? What is finished despen defeated?

send your power has been revealed and it is hanging in the balances It is finished. The work has been accomplished.

anime Has been fought here's the mystery of this. This is long before the resurrection.

It is finished.

I think about this. The writer of Hebrews says that whenever Abraham took Isaac up into the mountain.

because he was going to sacrifice his son.

His son asked him. He said Dad, where's the lamb and I think I did but here's here's what the right of Hebrews said, right or Hebrews not only comments on that. Even if it's still would have died. He knew that God could raise him from death.

Jesus knew that his father wasn't going to leave him in hell. It was a girl leaving the page. That's what I meant by hell. They're just

because some pretty to not only talks about the suffering and death. They talked about the vindication. And Jesus says even before it happens. I know it's already over. Oh death, where is thy sting o grave? Where is thy victory?

He said it is finished and he bowed his head and he gave up the ghost the Jews therefore because it was the preparation.

That the body should they decide to the body should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath day for the Sabbath day was nigh to the Jews Basalt pilot that their legs might be broken tooth pain that they might be taken away and then came to soldiers and they broke the legs of the first and of the other which was crucified with him to put when they came to Jesus and saw that he was dead already. They broke on his leg. What are the soldiers with a spear pierced his side and forth with came there out blood and water and heat that saw it for records and his record is true. And he know with that. He says true that you might believe you know, who John sucking up there anything I was up to put his cross and I saw this happen.

For these things were done that the scripture should be fulfilled a bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture said they shall look on him whom they pierced.

After this Joseph of Arimathea being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews. How many secret disciples do we have? for fear of this world Stop pilot that he might take away the body of Jesus and pilate gave him leave. Joseph came therefore. I took the body of Jesus and there came also Nicodemus and you'll remember Nick and he was cuz I wrote about him earlier at night. It's the same one. Listen to Nicodemus. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes about a hundred pounds weight. This is a very costly gift. They took the body of Jesus and it welded and linen clothes and spices. Here's my supposition. The reason why they're taking such good care of Jesus is because you can't do anything to stop his death.

And they don't know that Jesus is going to rise from death. And I know he had just been degraded and dehumanized. They know that if it wasn't pass over his body would hang their outside of the city until all the birds and it would fall right there is just a hit one of the reasons why they might just outside the city just running their bones and skulls were left there. And that's the common place of execution. I got that from going to Israel. So just so you'll know I didn't think that all up in my head.

But listen, here's what I want you to get from this.

They're probably doing the best that they can because they didn't do what they could when they had the opportunity.

I think there's a lesson for you and I How many times do we try to clean up? A cover-up when we could have just done it right the first time.

But alas what they don't know at this point is Jesus was going to die with or without their help. But they honor him and his death. And they took the body of Jesus that wowed it and linen clothes with spices as the manner of the juice is to Barry and now in the place now in the place where he was crucified, there was a garden and in the garden a brand-new Sepulchre we're and was never man yet laid and they're laid, they Jesus therefore because of the Jews preparation day for the Sepulcher was nigh at hand or it would close. It wasn't going to take him all night to get there. This my brothers and my sisters.

Is the eyewitness John's account?

That what y'all remember that term eyewitness. John says I was there. I saw it you can trust me. You know why? I believe what I believe I believe because because God has raised me up in the home and I've experienced it a lot of different ways. But just so you'll know one of the reasons why I believe what I believe is because we have eyewitnesses who witnessed Jesus's death, and they also Witnesses Resurrection.

And they wrote it down and they recorded it and they wouldn't proclaimed it throughout the Roman world at that time. And you and I here's the deal we are not believing some myth and some Fable to some fairytale. We are believing a story that has been handed down from generation to generation and it didn't just start around the campfire long long ago and far away know it started with these men and women who were called to follow Jesus. Who followed him in life the witnesses that and Witnesses Resurrection? And then we're told by Jesus now go tell my story.

But here's what I want us to do tonight. I want us to remember this. Jesus Jesus was cursed of men. considered first of God

He was degraded. He was publicly humiliated. He was the human eye. And he did it for your sake and he did it for my sake and he did it for the sake of this world. There's not one person. There's not one person that he didn't do it for. He did it for all of our sins.

tonight

we are here to testify that we are not ashamed of him.

We are here. To encourage one another I'm not ashamed of him Are you ashamed of him know? I'm not ashamed.

But here's what I want us to think about. We are doing this here to prepare for when we go out there. So when we take this these elements this bread that represents his body in this cup, which represents his blood. Let's not just keep it in here. Can you go but preacher people are going to understand the table out there, you know, they won't understand the table up there. You know what they will understand. Hey, you just defended me and you hurt my pride and I'm not going to lash back out to you in Anger. They can understand that they can understand a different way of living.

They can understand. I'm not going to defraud you and I'm not going to exploit you. They can understand that.

And I know when we read the gospel to go, but nobody like Jesus know the people who put Jesus to death in like him. But remember he went into the city with a whole host of people and Jesus even told pilate he said wasn't it and they would come by for me. And we know that because Peter pulled out his sword and said I'll fight for you.

But Jesus said my command is not to fight for me. I command is to love what I love.

If you have any question about how I love take my body and eat it. And take my blood and drinking. It's mine. I'm giving it to you. That's how I look.