23. TLJC Speaking to Moses and Elijah of His Death, Luk 9:28-35.
The Cross Throughout the Scriptures - Part 23
28. The Sayings of TLJC while on the Cross.
The fifth cry on the cross can be identified by the word suffering, Joh 19:28.
The first great lesson from the fifth phrase is the importance of the Word of God.
“I thirst” followed the three hours of darkness, while the light of God’s countenance was withdrawn from the SinBearer.
The very fact that He did now “thirst” evidences His perfect submission.
In the volume of that Book which expressed the will of God, it was written that He should thirst!
Psa 69:21 They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
He had hung on the cross for 6 hours and passed through suffering unparalleled; nevertheless His mind was perfectly clear and His memory entirely unimpaired.
The first drink, vinegar and gall, commonly given to criminals to deaden their pains, the Lord refused.
Joh 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, “A slave is not greater than his master.”
Mat 10:24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.”
Joh 7:37 “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.”
Luk 16:24 And he cried out and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.”
The sixth saying of the cross can be described by the word victory, Joh 19:30.
When the Lord Jesus Christ uttered the words “It is finished!” He evidenced the fact that salvation was complete.
“It is finished,” means that to add anything to the finished work of salvation is sheer blasphemy!
“It is finished” = Tetelestai!
His resurrection, ascension, and session on high are the fruit and reward of the work He completed.
It was the declaration on the part of the Divine Redeemer that all that He came from heaven to earth to do, was now done.
All which was needful to reveal the glorious character of God had now been accomplished.
Everything necessary for putting away of the sins of His people, providing for them a perfect standing before God, securing for them an eternal inheritance and fitting them for it, had all been done.
The seventh and final phrase can be described by the word contentment, Luk 23:46.
Joh 10:17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
Joh 10:18 “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.”
His human spirit went to the Father, His soul went into Hades, and His body went into the grave to wait for that glorious moment when Jesus Christ would rise from the dead.
There is a change in the vocative from “My God” of the previous phrase to “Father.”
Psa 31:5 Into Thy hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.
Joh 7:46 “Never did a man speak the way this man speaks.”
The Incarnate Word lived on the Inspired Word!
1. Forgiveness for His enemies.
Luk 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
2. Salvation. Luk 23:39-42.
Luk 23:43 “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”
3. Compassion.
Joh 19:26-27 - “Woman, behold, your son!” - “Behold, your mother!”
4. Anguish.
Mat 27:46 “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
5. Suffering.
Joh 19:28 “I am thirsty.”
6. Victory.
Joh 19:30 “It is finished!”
7. Contentment.
Luk 23:46 “Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit.”
Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries 2002