Scripture Reference: John 19:28-30

3. Jesus Addressed Those He Had Come to Redeem – Continued

From Last Lesson: I would like to continue on addressing some of the saints of the Old Testament with words of comfort that Jesus Christ might have given them in His last words, “It is finished.”

Elijah: Readers, remember when Jesus and Elijah met on the Mount of Transfiguration (see Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-9; Luke 9:28-36). Moses was with them there. Both of them urged Jesus not to come into glory at that moment, as by Christ’s holiness He deserved to do, but rather, continue to walk the way of sorrows to the cross. Is it possible that both of them sensed something of the fact that unless Jesus became a curse for even them, for their breaking the law, Moses as the giver of the law and Elijah, as the great defender of the law, is it possible they could not remain in glory? Nevertheless, Jesus has borne for them breaking the law, their offense towards God the giver of the law, and Jesus has kept every iota of the law. Jesus Christ truly loved God above all else and His neighbor as Himself. Jesus went all the way to the cross. He did so to become a curse for Elijah and all mankind. Elijah will continue to be with Christ Jesus in glory forever. “It is finished.”

Simeon: The ravages of age were upon Him when, in the temple, He held the infant Jesus, a babe, in his arms (see Luke 2:25-32) However, before Abraham was Jesus was the great, “I Am.” Simeon’s patient waiting for that day will be rewarded with life everlasting in the presence of the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, Christ Jesus. Jesus had become a curse for even Simeon. Now, “It is finished.”

Anna: She was old and shriveled up in body when, never departing from the temple, she continued to bless the day of Jesus’ coming (see Luke 2:36-38). Now she may bless the day of Jesus’ going. In the moment when Jesus shall commend His spirit to the Father; in doing so Jesus Christ shall commend Anna’s spirit to the Father, also. Jesus was made a curse for the devout and devoted Anna. But now, “It is finished!”

So then, have you, dear readers, been considering what Jesus said to all of us when He uttered that seemingly simple little sentence? He is saying to us what He said to all of these: “I became a curse for you that you may be accepted and reconciled of God, but only if you like all of these put your trust in Me.”

He said everything to us that He stated and taught to Peter and the other apostles and disciples. Like them, we as individuals, we as a body of believers, we as the Church, the Bride of Christ, have been given the true understanding of the nature of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must as fearlessly and boldly and with as much reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit as Peter had before the leaders of the Jews, we must also be witness to that only Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must and thus can be saved.

There is no real and sincere wisdom, righteousness or true love among men unless it comes from Him who so loved His creation that He was willing to be forsaken of His Father for each of us.

To Be Continued

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, ESV © 2016 by Crossway Bibles.
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