Gleanings from the Cross

The Word of God is as a Prism: before the manifold colors may be envisioned, the Light of the Spirit of Christ must shine upon it and through it. Likewise must one be rendered capable to see that which the Light would reveal, else it is of no benefit; further, he will be found in error in his attempt to explain spiritual things from the darkened eyes of his carnality. With your indulgence we shall attempt to see Jesus, hopefully a little better, and a little clearer; to gaze once more upon the Cross-work of the Lord of Glory.

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” 
Luke 23:34

Thus do we consider it appropriate to view the Savior at this point, as Intercessor.

During His earthly ministry, our Lord had shown great compassion, entering into the suffering of many, healing them of their infirmities; pronouncing the forgiveness of their sins. Now He is entering the ministry of the cross, and from this time forward, it is Jehovah God alone who is that Authority determining upon what foundation He should forgive sin; Christ Himself, now having become the means by which fallen man might find Eternal Restoration in the eyes of a Holy God.

“for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

Inasmuch as Jesus was now to become the sin offering, to atone for our sin; He then fulfilled the requirements of Leviticus chapter 4: “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord. . .” The priest was to offer a sacrifice without blemish; it was to be before the Lord; it was to be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” “And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance;” And it shall be forgiven all the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance. . .” “Ye shall haveone law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israeland for the stranger” Num.15:24-29.

Yes, but how does this tie into New Testament teaching, and exactly what does the “sin of ignorance” include? Acts chapter 3: Peter is charging those before him: “The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. . .hath glorified His Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up. . .denied in the presence of Pilate. . .denied the Holy One and the Just. . .killed the Prince of life whereof we are witnesses.” “And now, brethren, I wot [know, understand] that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.”

Christ, then, fulfills Leviticus 4: he is the Priest, the Intercessor, now to offer the sacrifice of Himself, who lawfully may pray; Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do: the sin of ignorance! And this being for the stranger as well as the Jew!

“and it shall be forgiven them”

Jesus never prayed in vain; His petitions always being in accordance and in agreement with the Father’s will. In light of this, there is hope for the vilest of sinners! “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. . .” “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy Kingdom.

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise”

The first recorded utterance from the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” The preceding verse: “And when they had come to. . .Calvary. . .they crucified him. . .and the malefactors. . .”

“Though the prayer of Intercession certainly had those in mind who were gathered at the cross, without doubt it included also those being crucified with Him: “The Lord is. . . longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” II Peter 3:9.

The prayer of Intercession looks forward to the verse immediately following: “And they parted His raiment (vesture, Matt.27:35, John 19:24) and cast lots.” Vesture. O.T. bagad: to act covertly, to pillage, deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully, offend, transgress.

In Genesis 3 “And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.” Said Adam, it was “because I was naked.” In sharp contrast do we find Jesus; not in the evening, but in the brightness of the noonday sun; not hiding amongst the trees, but openly exposed, being nailed to a tree. And He was naked: “He became Sin for us;” identifying with the sin and nakedness of Adam’s race; He was there in our stead!

The vesture of the Lord Jesus may not be rightly parted or gambled for: it is to be received, and that “by Grace through Faith!” Again, there is no need; for the vesture, the Robe of Righteousness is available for all who will come to Him, confessing their nakedness: though Jesus be naked, yet all that were there were naked before God in sin and unbelief!

Notice the first thief: It is true that he desired to be “saved” but he was grossly in error, for he presumed the True Christ would come down from the cross and thereby proclaim victory over his crucifiers, saving Himself and the two thieves.

“But the other answering rebuked him” And here is the sermon that he preached: “Dost thou not fear God?” “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:” Psalm 111:10. “A good understanding have all they that do His commandments.”

Obviously then, this man does have the fear of the Lord, therefore wisdom and understanding; he is immediately about to “do His commandment,” that is, to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!

His sermon continues: “seeing thou art in the same condemnation?” But did he really “see?” If so, then his offence is multiplied in that he apparently abstains from confessing his guilt. He is “condemned already,” because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18.

One other reflection before we leave this verse: the Holy Spirit has left the remainder of this verse “incomplete;” “Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation. . .” Does he mean, in the same condemnation - as this man? Or is he referring to Jesus as God? Or may we consider both as purposed by the Spirit?

His sermon continues: “And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds:”

It would be years before Paul would pen those words in Romans 6:23, but this man had already received enlightenment from the Lord: “For the wages of sin is death.” As we shall soon see, he believed the last part of that verse also: “but the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE! through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

        May we insert yet another finding before continuing on to the next verse. We indeed must identify with the cross and with He who freely gave Himself a sacrifice in our stead. However may it be noted that our identification ought first be with the thief; that we fear God; that we acknowledge our transgression; that we are justly condemned before a Righteous God. Then let us embrace and confess by Faith that One on the middle cross!

We might offer at this point, a simple outline for any who might be interested:

First, the thief was in the right place to be saved! “Come to the cross!” Well, he was already there! Second, he was in the presence of the right Person! The Lord Jesus! Third, he assumed the right position; that of a lost sinner! Fourth, he knew the right prayer! (This we must needs study carefully in order to lay hold upon the Truth.) “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” Notice, he had previously been addressing the other thief, on the other side; Jesus beingbetween the two. Thus do we have a public confession of sin, followed by the confessing of Christ as God, and now, as Lord! He has acknowledged the Righteousness of God and his condemnation before Him. Now, he calls upon Him, and as such, he addresses Him as Lord. The difference: here is a call forMercy, and that call is made in Faith!

“LORD!” He was unable to “approach the foot of the cross” but be assured; his heart was there, in a spirit of submission and brokenness. “LORD!” Herein is an indication that something has already transpired in the heart! Now there will follow a confession, a manifestation of the same. As yet, the Holy Spirit had not instructed Paul to pen Galatians 3:28,29. But the repentant thief already had believed it and hid it in his heart: “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of Faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs to the promise.” Abraham looked for a city; a kingdom not made with hands and not of this earth; and so did the thief.

“Lord, remember me when thou comest. . .” Yet he was not in the upper room when Jesus declared unto His disciples: “I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself. . .” John 14:3.

Astounding! Consider this: From his conversation with the other thief, he without doubt, did not believe Jesus would come down from the cross. He did believe that he was shortly going to die; he believed that Christ also would die. Despite this, he cried, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” He believed in the Resurrection. He believed that Jesus would come forth from the grave. He believed that He would come in power and glory to set up His Kingdom. He believed that Christ, the “first-fruit,” was able to raise him up from death unto life also. Again; “Lord, remember me when thou comest.” Theassurance was there! Jesus will come again! If the repentant thief had that kind of faith, then greater is our responsibility to accordingly look for His Glorious Appearing!

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” Actually, we are told that word “To day” is not correctly placed by the King James version: that it should read thus: “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt be with me To day in paradise.”

Thus may we parallel the prayer of the thief with the response of the Lord Jesus.

Comparison
Prayer	Response
And he said to Jesus	And Jesus said unto him
Lord	Verily I say unto thee
Remember me	Shalt thou be with me
When thou comest	To day
Into Thy Kingdom	In Paradise

Oh the wonder of it all; that the Lord will hear our call; that he should stoop to answer us; the Infinite to the finite! Said the thief: Lord, Remember me. But His response; not only to remember him, but to act upon that remembrance: You’re going to be with me; you shall “ever be with the Lord” “Lord, remember me when thou comest.” No, it’s going to be a lot sooner than that: it’s going to be To day! Jesus could have addressed him in this manner: To day thou shalt be in Paradise. But no! “That where I AM, thereye may be also! Thou shalt be with Me!

“To day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” I have absolutely no scripture to substantiate this, but here is something that I imagine to have taken place: The (former) thief enters Paradise with a glowing testimony: “I am crucified with Christ; [and that he certainly was!] nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me!” Paul wrote it, but this man had already experienced it!

Glorious Truth! We which have been forgiven of the debt of sin, have further, been reconciled to God; made citizens of That City, and do await an inheritance, incorruptible!

And “so shall we ever be with the Lord!”

“When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!

We shall not spend much time in this section covering ground that has been well-worn by others before us; rather a few choice observations, then a comparison of scriptures that will reveal pictures of prophesy.

First, His love. Jesus saw those whom He loved: His mother (comma) and the disciple (comma). It is not: “the disciple standing by whom he loved” It is: “His mother, and the disciple (,) whom He loved.” The placing of that comma indicates that our text speaks of His love toward both mother and disciple!

Second, Jesus never (at least in recorded scripture) refers to Mary as Mother. (We shall skip traditional reasons.) She is addressed as Woman in the gospel of John only; and then, in just two instances: In John chapter two, the wedding at Cana; and our current text.

“the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.”

A lengthy exposition is, of course, impractical at this point, but let us at least get a brief summary of what is to be found here: “They have no wine.” They have large vessels, mostly empty, containing water: that which was used for the “purifying of the Jews,” an outward, ceremonial ritual: a picture of the “old covenant” under the law. Jesus has arrived; He is the Vine! Now there shall be wine! The waterpots are filled to the brim, for Christ is the fulfillment of the law! “Draw out now and bear!” In John 1, the “world was made by Him” The same word is used here: the water was made wine; an Eternal, Complete transaction. As Jesus, the True Vine has made the fruit, so are the branches, the servants, tobear fruit unto the husbandman, ruler of the feast. Says the governor of the feast: “Thou hast kept the good wine until now.” The water previously in the “waterpots of stone” was for an outward, ceremonial “cleansing.” The wine was given to drink; it is for inward sustenance, it is refreshing, it is a fountain where thirsts are eternally quenched; the source of Joy!

“He is mediator of a better covenant. . .established upon better promises. . .a new covenant. “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts. . .a new covenant. . .the first old. . .decayeth. . .ready to vanish away” Heb.8:6-13.

“Mine hour is not yet come,” thus are we given a prophetic picture: in our text, the “hour” is now come - the fulfillment of John chapter two!

“Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from “that hour” that disciple took her unto his own.” The word “home,” in italics, was added by the translators.

From “That Hour.” In other scripture, when a specific hour of time is meant, it is identified as such: it was the sixth hour, the ninth hour. . .

Let us gain understanding: Jesus had said to her in John chapter two: “mine hour” is not yet come: butnow, it is time; His “Hour” is come! It is the hour when “the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners;” Matt. 26:45. It is “that hour” when Jesus prays concerning the Cup. Mark 14:36. Moreover, Jesus said to His enemies as they came to the Garden to take Him: “this is your hour, and the power of darkness. “Luke 22:53. “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” “For this cause came I unto this hour.” John 12:23,27. Again, Jesus prays, “Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee:” John 17:1. Finally, let us notice to what distance this hour is extended: “Now before the feast of the Passover when Jesus knew that His “hour had come” that he should depart out of this world unto the Father,” John 13:1. It would appear then, that that hour began before they came to arrest Jesus in the garden, even to that time when He was caught up into Heaven to sit in His Father’s throne.

In light of all that we have just seen, let us return once again to our text: “And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own. Question. Why did the scripture not say that he took her. . .from that day forward, as is found in many other places? Question. If the scripture is telling us that he, from that hour of the day, took her home, then pray tell, why do we find John, along with the other disciples “assembled for fear of the Jews,” not only on the day of Resurrection, but eight days later!” It would appear then, that John really took her unto his own, only after Jesus was ascended into Heaven!

We have arrived to a point where we must look beyond the mother of Jesus and His disciple; that they are representative of those other than themselves. Consider this: that Mary (or Woman) pictures every believer in Christ; and that John the Beloved, shows forth the present work of the Holy Spirit, which began, following the ascension of our Lord into Heaven; it is from “that hour!” “When Jesus thereforesaw his mother, and the disciple standing by [the Holy Spirit is that One who is standing by, along side the believer, awaiting instruction or “call” from the Lord] unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son.” Actually, the Spirit has written it in such a way as to give us a duel meaning. Certainly, “thy son” identifies with the disciple. But does it not first identify with “thy Son,” that is Christ Himself! She is to “behold Him” in faith; He is become her Savior! His “hour” is come: when He becomes Sin for us; offers Himself in our stead; is buried; rises victorious from the grave; ascends to Heaven as the God/man; as our High Priest and Intercessor!

To the disciple He says, “Behold thy mother!” To this you may object; “the picture doesn’t fit! The believer, presented as mother to the Holy Spirit?” What is the sense in which it is given? It is not that John is in need of a mother! It is he who is to take her unto his own! He is the one “standing by her” in readiness to perform all that Christ should speak. She will be in need of his support, of his love, of his protection, of his care, of his Comfort, during that time that Jesus is gone. But He has promised, He will return and receive her unto Himself. But until then, that disciple is to be her “seal. . .of Promise. . . the earnest of her inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,” “those that are “Christ’s at His coming!”

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with youforever; even the Spirit of Truth. . .He dwelleth in you. . .He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” John 14:16,17,26. “He will guide you. . .show you things to come. . .glorify Me. . .take of mine and shew unto you” John 16.

“My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”!

Previously we beheld Our Lord in the ministry of Intercession; “Father, forgive them. . . Second, the ministry of Reconciliation, “Today, shalt thou be with Me. . .Third, the ministry of Comforting: Woman, behold thy son (Son)! Even from the cross did He comfort Mary by entrusting her to that disciple who was “standing by,” reassuring her of the presence of “another Comforter” who would keep her unto himself in Christ’s stead!

Now we have come to that part of the ministry of Christ wherein we can but stand in awe: men may study for a lifetime, yet are they scarcely able to fathom the Cross-work of that Precious One. Feeble indeed are our attempts to offer any exposition of that which is the Great Wonder of the ages! Volumes have been written of it, but we shall offer only a few observations here.

First, Jesus is forsaken; He is utterly shown to be abandoned by the Omnipotent God. Perchance there were those at the cross who addressed Him in like manner as Job’s wife: “Why don’t you curse God anddie!” Jesus does not merely cry out “God;” it is “My God!” Though one disciple betray Him, another denyHim, and all forsake Him, yet would He own the Lord God; yet would He confess Him and not deny. The words of Job echo in my ears: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him!”

Second, as we contemplate the death of Christ we must carefully distinguish between the physical and what is called the “Second Death;” which is defined as “eternal separation from God in conscious suffering.” We may rightly consider it as a “penal” death, in that it is the execution of a judicial sentencing by the Righteous Judge. Of necessity, the “second death” is portrayed before the physical;(of which we are aware, that it was far from what we would consider as being “natural!”) The cry of our Lord then, was a public confession, a clear testimony identifying Him with that “eternal separation from God in conscious suffering. “In Revelation chapter twenty we are told of the awful judgment which is to follow for unbelievers; the casting of them into the lake of fire: “This is the second death.”

Third, we have those pictures of which we are more familiar; Jesus as the Passover Lamb, as the lamb (led) to the slaughter, the sheep before her shearers (not the ram but the ewe, who pictures His absolute submission in being the sacrifice in our stead.) We see Him “without the camp,” suffering that He might “sanctify the people with His own blood” Heb. 13:11,12.

“My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?”

Some will say, “Well, it’s because God cannot look upon sin!” A careful study of the scriptures will reveal the sense in which such a statement can be made: it is that God will not look upon sin in an approvingor condoning manner! Again, not so much that He can not; rather that He will not!

As what we present here is by no means thorough, may the reader be encouraged at this point, to read Hebrews 9 and then compare Isaiah 53 with Leviticus 16. In Leviticus 16 we are instructed concerning the “two goats.” Both portray the Lord Jesus at the Cross-scene. The goat whose lot it was to be slain may be seen as Christ who is both Sin-offering and Burnt-offering. In the Sin-offering, God is seen “pouring out His wrath” in judgment of Sin; the Burnt-offering is aptly made known in Leviticus chapter one: it is the voluntary offering of the Spotless One unto God; it is unto Him, a sweet-smelling savour.On one side we see the payment for sin; on the other, an atoning; thereby securing for us areconciliation unto God! And this we should be able to discern as we view the Cross-work of the Lord Jesus. Actually, both goats represent a duel picture of the Sin-offering. The one that we shall focus on at this time will hopefully give us a little more insight on that cry of the Savior: My God. . .why hast Thou forsaken Me!”

We can readily see the slain goat as portrayed by Our Lord, but what picture are we given of thescapegoat? “And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation [the Cross?] And Aaron shall bring the goat. . .offer him for a sin offering. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the Lord. . .And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel. . .putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.” Lev. 16.

Let us at this point compare what we have read in Leviticus 16 with Isaiah 53: “Surely he hath borneour griefs and carried our sorrows” The scapegoat? “Yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God,and afflicted.” The slain goat? “But he was wounded for our transgressions. . .bruised for our iniquities.” The slain goat? “And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all!” The scapegoat? “He was cut off out of the land of the living.” The scapegoat? Remember Lev.16:22. “And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities. . .unto a land not inhabited!” “For the transgression of my people was he stricken. . .it pleased the Lord to bruise him.” The slain goat? “For he shall bear their iniquities. . .He bare the sin of many.” The scapegoat?

“Aaron laid both hands on the head of the goat; confessed all their iniquities and sins; putting them upon the head of the goat. . .and the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities. . .” Lev. 16:21,22. “FOR HE HATH MADE HIM TO BE SIN FOR US, WHO KNEW NO SIN;” II Cor. 5;21. Again: “The Lord hathlaid on Him the iniquity of us all!”

Man might thrust a crown of thorns upon the head of Jesus, yet in vain did those thorns pierce that Precious Brow; they only provided an opening, a channel through which flowed Redemptive Blood! God Himself laid our sin upon Him: as a picture, has laid His hands on His head, pronouncing our sins upon Him.

The scapegoat was led away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness. There the goat wasforsaken, abandoned. The one who had led him there turned his back on him. Forlorn, he bleats as the one who has led him there, vanishes into the distance.

Did not God lay our sins on Christ, our scapegoat? Is it not He, the only One really “fit to lead Him into the “wilderness;” a place “uninhabited?” Is it not there that the Lord God forsook Him, abandoned Him, turned His back on Him? Thus did Jesus have all the more reason to cry, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me!”

“Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” John 19:28

“He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth” Isa. 53:7.

If Jesus was silent; if no complaint uttered from his lips concerning the gross affliction He now bore; then why single out only one personal discomfort:“I thirst?” We are immediately told that this “thirsting” shows forth the human side of the Lord Jesus. If this be true, then why is it not recorded in Matthew, Mark, or Luke? Why in John, where He is made known unto us as the God/Man? Mournful songs are written declaring His plight: He made the waters, yet is there no water given Him in His thirst.

Let us consider the first request of our Lord for a drink of water. It is to be found in John chapter 4; His encounter at Jacob’s well with the Samaritan woman: “There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, “Give me to drink.” Or, I thirst! Again, “Jesus answered and said unto her, if thou knewest the Gift of God [John 3:16] and Who it is that saith to thee, give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee Living Water.”

Unmistakable, the Spirit of God caused John alone to pen these two accounts of Christ’s “I thirst.” If they who crucified the Lord of Glory had known the Gift of God, and who it was that saith to them, “I thirst” they “wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given them Living Water!”

But multitudes shall follow the example of the rich man, who will suffer the pains of Hell. They too, even as Christ, will be denied even a drop of water to cool the tongue.

“And He must needs go through Samaria,” Why? That His thirst might be quenched. How? By drinking from Jacob’s well? Or by giving to the Samaritan woman that Living Water! Isa. 53:11 “He shall see thetravail of His soul, and shall be satisfied!”

I thirst! Let us compare the scriptures that we may better comprehend the manner in which the vinegar was presented to our Lord.

“And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha. they gave Him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when He had tasted thereof, he would not drink” Matt.27:33,34

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him. . .they parted His raiment, and cast lots. . .the people stood beholding. . .the rulers derided Him. . .And thesoldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him and offering Him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save, thyself” Luke 23:33-37.

Notice: Jesus is already on the cross when the vinegar is first offered; it is given by the soldiers; it is done in mockery. It appears that a number of soldiers were involved; that it may have been done repeatedly.

After this we are shown a second “offering” of the vinegar. “Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth.” John 19:29.

One question at this point is: who is they? “And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,” “The chief priests mocking. . .with the scribes. . .Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we maysee and believe.” “At the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama, sabachthani? which is being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said Behold, He calleth Elias. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see if Elias will come to take Him down” Mark 15:29-36.

“And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him to drink. And the rest said, Let it be, let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.”

These scriptures are crystal clear: it is the Jews in question; as they speak of Jesus destroying and then rebuilding the temple in three days: their reference to Elias (Elijah).

Now: the soldiers gave Him vinegar after He was on the cross. They may have used a cup to administer it. In contrast, a Jew put vinegar on a spunge, on a reed, or hyssop, and from a distance, put it to His mouth. The O.T. scripture is plain: “And if a man have commited a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled” Deut.21 :22,23.

Thus, the self-righteous Jews thought to do God a favor; to fulfill the Law in regard to this blasphemer,this imposter, this Jesus fellow! Of course, the Jew would not think of taking a cup in his hand and then putting it to the lips of Jesus! Why, he would be made unclean; he would be defiled in having done so!

How utterly wrong they were!

Consider the woman with the issue of blood, as recorded in the first three gospels: not only was she plagued physically, but according to Levitical law, every bed, every place she sat, any clothing that she touched; all was made unclean. Nevertheless, she believed: the spotless Son of God could not be made unclean by contact with this world; rather would that spotted one, who in faith made contact with him, would be gloriously made whole!

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is Finished” John 19:39

In John chapter 12, Jesus makes two announcements: first, in verse 23- “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” Second, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” (Vs. 31)

Of course, Satan is yet to receive execution, but he has been tried, condemned, and sentencedlawfully, judicially: he shall yet be incarcerated (the bottomless pit for 1000 years) and be dealt the final execution (the lake of fire.)

That the Cross was the place of his defeat is clearly defined in Hebrews 2:14 “that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” The devil is, for the believer, avanquished foe. Col. 1:13 tells us that God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:”

“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost” Luke 23:46

“Thus the heavens and earth were “finished. . .”And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made” Gen. 2:1,2. In the beginning, that first “day,” the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

For the space of three hours there was darkness as the Sun was lifted up from the earth. “And the Lightshineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” John 1:5. The Sun of Righteousness hung between heaven and earth, yet the hearts of men were so darkened that their eyes could not see the Light.

Came the cry: It is finished! At the dawning of the seventh day the Eternal God looked upon His work of creation and was well pleased, calling it “good”. Likewise, after six hours; the darkness is past; the dawning of the seventh hour; His Cross-work now completed: Christ saw “the travail of His soul,” and was “satisfied” “by His knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities” Isa. 53:11.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: (ktisis, Gr.- original formation, building, creation) old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” II Cor. 5:17. Be it noted that this verse is not addressing the Christian walk nor singling out any particular people; rather the focus is upon a new creation; specifically that of regeneration! His work being “finished,” the Son may, as did the Father, rest from all His work which He had made.” And where may one find such a rest? “Father, into Thy hands.”

“Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit”

Here we have the fulfilling of Old Testament prophesy. In Psalm 31 we read: “In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; never let me be ashamed: deliver me in Thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for a house of defense to save me. For Thou art my Rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thy hand I commit [paqad - deposit, appoint, deliver to keep] My spirit: Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” The word “commend” in our text is defined almost identically: paratithemi - to deposit (as a trust or for protection,) to commit the keeping of.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made of Himself no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” Phil. 2:5-9.

Christ, who being in the form of God. . .took upon himself the form of a servant: the word for form,morphe, Gr. speaks of that inward being: the nature. Being found in fashion as a man: schema, Gr. - figure, the external condition.

And was made (ginomai,Gr.- to cause to be “gen”-erate: to come into being) in the likeness of men. Galatians 4:4 gives us further insight: “But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth His Son [being in the form of God], made of a woman [the means by which He should come into being], madeunder the law. [As God, He made or spoke the law into existence; as man He is willingly made subject tothe law.] The purpose: “To redeem them that were under the law, [its condemnation, its sentence.] that we might receive the adoption of sons.” The Son of God became man, that He might take the sin and the sentence of man upon Himself, that men might become the sons of God.

“He humbled himself,” the results of this being readily seen: “and became obedient. “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world” I Peter 1:20. He is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” Rev. 13:8. The testimony of the Lord Himself: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me” John 6:38. A careful eye will notice that not only did He do the will of the Father while on earth, but His coming down from heaven was an act of obedience!

“And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient:” Obedient! Unto death!Even the death of the cross!

Beautiful indeed are those commentaries which portray the restoration of communion and fellowship between Father and Son! The time of Judgment is past! The face of the Father is once again toward the Son! The absolute and unwavering trust as the Son commits all into the Father’s hands! Yet we must not separate the final words of the Savior from the others thus spoken from the cross.

“Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit.” This marks the final act of obedience! Does the scripture not plainly tell us that His death, the death of the cross was in obedience to the Father’s will? Does the Father love the obedient Son? “Therefore doth my Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. THIS COMMANDMENT have I received of My Father” John 10:17,18.

“For He taught His disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men,and they shall kill Him; and after that He is killed, He shall rise the third day” Mark 9:31. And this we understand to be the Sovereign Will; the Command of God! Not a few scriptures declare unto us that “God has raised Him from the dead”: Acts 3:15, 4:10, 13:30, Rom. 10:9, I Cor. 15:15, Gal. 1:1, Col. 2:12, I Thes. 1:9, I Peter 1:21, etc. Understand that Christ has the power of life and death: He mightlay down; He might take up: that God has given Him the power: that God has given Him the Authority to do so! Appearing to the apostle on the isle of Patmos our Lord proclaimed, “I AM He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I AM alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of Death.” Rev. 1:18. “I AM. . .that. . .I AM!” Exodus 3:13.

“He came unto His own, and His own received him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” John 1:12,13.

Christ Jesus, having all power and authority given Him from the Father: over Life, over Death; does now bequeath this power to every believer; the consummation of which extends to the bodily resurrection.Understand that the “dead in Christ” shall rise at His coming; having been imparted power: power to “take up” a glorified body.

The farmer is a Grave Digger. He brings forth from the mortuary the tools needful to break up the ground. In the tilled soil he makes trenches; or perhaps long columns of tiny holes. Into these is dropped dry, lifeless seed. The seed is then covered over with dirt; it is buried. Why on earth does he perform this strange ritual? Is there some purpose in preparing a grave for the seed? In a few short days the farmer returns to look over his graveyard; in fact, every day finds him carefully viewing the burial grounds; this cemetery where lies dead, lifeless seed. Why do you come every day to this Memorial Garden; why gaze you across the fields that are void of life? Exclaims the farmer, “I’m looking for Resurrection!” And who has not observed with curiosity the opening of the grave wherein lay sleeping seed to watch a tender plant emerge, the hardened earth being forced to give way to new life.

Not only does the farmer contemplate Resurrection, but anticipates a yielding of fruit from that which has passed from a state of death, unto life!

In John 12:23 -24 we find: “And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” This He spoke concerning His own death, burial, and resurrection. We are the fruit that He has brought forth; our spirits being awakened by the Light of the Son! Again, every believer being raised bodily is quickened by His life, and shall be even as He!

Every seed that falls to the ground in death, and then springs forth in life, is a testimony of the Creator making manifest the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Christ. Therefore, may we die to self, that we may live unto Him.

“Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit.”

“He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me. They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; Not for any injustice in my hands: also my prayer is pure” Job 16:9-11,16.

The Cross and the 23rd Psalm

Though Jesus be “oppressed and afflicted,” though “brought as a lamb to the slaughter,” yet does He own the Lord as “My Shepherd.”

Though He be “forsaken” of the God of all Provision, yet may He cry, “I shall not want.”

Though He be given “gall for my meat; and in my thirst vinegar to drink; yet of the Lord does He affirm: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.”

Though His “strength faileth” and His “bones are consumed,” yet is His claim: “He restoreth My soul.”

Though having been “delivered into the hands of men” for the suffering of the cross; yet does He pronounce that God “leadeth Me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Though having cried from the “valley of the shadow of death,” “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me”: yet does He confess, “I will fear no evil: for Thou art with Me.”

Though “wounded, bruised” and receiving many “stripes” yet does He proclaim: “Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort Me.”

Though His garment be stripped from Him: although no hospitality be shown at all; yet “Thou preparest a table before Me in the presence of mine enemies.

Though upon His head there be a crown of thorns placed in mockery, yet does Jesus recognize His God-given Kingship: “Thou anointest My head with oil.”

Though He submissively “drink the cup,” yet does He foresee the cup of reward and blessing: “My cup runneth over.”

Though the wicked “took counsel together against Me, they devised to take away my life:” “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

Though “His own” provide “no room” for His coming: though they “receive Him not:” yet He rejoices: “and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

The Events Surrounding the Crucifixion - A Time of Struggle

Christ went to meet Judas, the servants and officers of the Jews, and the band of Roman soldiers. Hesubmitted Himself into their hands. He was led before Annas. He was led before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. He was led unto Pilate. He was led unto Herod. He was led back to Pilate. He was led to the whipping post. He was led to Calvary. This entire scene was one of struggle. Judas struggled to betray Him and then reverse his betrayal, ending in self destruction. Peter struggled to follow Christ and yet denied Him three times. Annas, Caiaphas and the other Jews struggled to find reason to convict and condemn Him. Pilate struggled to free himself from passing sentence upon the Lord. The only one whostruggled not; who remained in control; who was at peace - was the Prince of Peace! At peace, because He was in complete submission to the Father’s will. At peace, because His heart was set on redeeming and reconciling us to His Sovereign.