Jesus’ Third Statement on the Cross: “Behold your Son….Behold your Mother” (John 19:25-27) – God’s Word teaches that “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13). Jesus, on the Cross died not only for His friends but also for His Enemies – “While we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
“Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus His mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the Disciples standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, “Woman, behold thy Son! Then saith He to the Disciple (John), Behold your mother! And from that hour that Disciples took her unto his own home.” (John 19:25-27). Jesus’ Disciple was John, who wrote the Gospel of John and bears witness of these things.
The four Roman Soldiers were there, but they were there because of duty. The four women were there with the Apostle John; there were there out of devotion for Jesus; they loved Him. The four women were: (1) Mary, Jesus’ mother; (2) Mary Magdalene; (3) Salome (Jesus’ mother’s sister); (4) Mary, the wife of Cleophas; and John, the Apostle.
The Phrase: “Near the Cross,” has become an evangelical cliché; we prayed: “O Lord, keep me near the Cross;” and we sing about standing near the Cross. What does it mean to be near the Cross of Jesus? Obviously we are not speaking about literally in the place outside Jerusalem – the physical Cross of Jesus Christ was already gone; thus, we are speaking about the spiritual experience of Jesus’ Cross, the relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ – Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” The Revelation of what happened at the Cross helps us to understand what it means to be near the Cross of Jesus Christ.
1 Place of Redemption
The Cross of Jesus Christ is the Place of Redemption – Mary Magdalene was there as shown in John 19:25. Mary Magdalene has been delivered by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not the Mary Magdalene of Luke 7:36-50, the woman who anointed Jesus with the costly perfume. The Mary Magdalene at the Cross was the woman mentioned in Luke 8:2 (Mark 16:9) as the woman out of whom Jesus had cast out seven-Demons in her. Mary Magdalene was not only at the Cross, but also early in the morning of the resurrection she came to Christ’s tomb. Mary Magdalene had been in bondage to Satan. Redemption was costly, and Mary Magdalene witnessed the first hand – Christ’s Broken Body and Shed Blood, on the Cross was the Price of her Redemption
2 Place of Forgiveness
Salome was at the Cross, she was Mary’s sister, the mother of James and John, and the wife of Zebedee. She was remembered as the woman who came with her sons, James and John asking for her sons to be seated on the right and left hand of the Lord Jesus Christ, judging Israel (Matthew 20:20-28). James was the first Apostle to be martyred and John was the last of the Apostles to be martyred. Although Salome, had made an unsuccessful request to Jesus for her sons, nevertheless, the Lord Jesus did not hold that against her. She was at the Cross, a changed person, having a deep devotion for the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Place of Grief (Luke 2:35)
Mary the Mother of Jesus and John the Apostle were at the Cross – the Cross was a Place of Pain as well as the Place of Reward of for Mary, the mother of Jesus, seeing her Son died, a cruel death, on the Cross for her Redemption and the Redemption for the World (John 3:16) – Luke 2:35 “(Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” We find Mary in John 2 and in John 19, and the two incidents are contrasted:
In John 2, Mary was attending a wedding and was involved in the joys of the feast witnessing Jesus turning the water into wine, when the Host ran out of wine (John 2:11). In John 19, Mary was at the Cross of Jesus Christ, nursing her grief and pain of seeing her Son on the Cross, His (Christ’s) broken Body and shed Blood, dying for the sin of the world (John 3:16).
In John 2 (2:11), Jesus demonstrated His Power of turning of the water into wine. In John 19, our Lord Jesus died, for the sin of the world, in submission and obedience to His Father’s Plan and Will (Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 5:8), to complete the Plan of Salvation.
In John 2, Mary was Rejoicing & speaking; in John 19, Mary was in grief and silence.
What piercing of Mary’s heart must have been hers when she saw her Son despised and rejected of men – the Crowds were mocking, the Thieves were taunting, the Priests were jeering, the Soldiers were heartless and indifferent, the Son (Jesus) was bleeding and dying – and there is His mother beholding the horrible mockery (Luke 23:35-39).
What grief must have wrung her heart as she beheld her Son (Jesus) hated and persecuted by His own Nation (Matthew 27:22, 23).
She has experienced the Prophecy of “heart-rending” – “Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35).
The Bible exhorts us to honour our Parents (Ephesians 6:1, 2).
Proverbs 23:22 “Despise not your mother when she is old.”
No
At the Wedding Feast (John 2)
At the Cross (John 19:25-27)
1
Mary was Joyful at the Wedding
Mary was nursing her grief at the Cross
2
Power of Christ (water turned into wine)
Submission & Obedience of Christ.
3
Mary was rejoiced in speaking
Mary was in grief and in silence
4
Mary saw Jesus was accepted & honoured
Mary saw Jesus was despised and mocked
5
Mary saw Jesus was accepted by His Nation
Mary saw Jesus was rejected by His Nation
6
Mary experienced the Prophecy of “Signs & Wonders & Miracles” as affirmed of Christ the Messiah (Heb.2:4).
Mary experienced the Prophecy of “heart-rending” at the Cross (Luke 2:34-35).
7
Lesson: “Honour our Parents” (Eph.6:1-2)
8
Lesson: “Despise not your mother when she is old” (Prov.23:22).
4 Place of Responsibility
John came back after “all forsook Him (Jesus) and fled,” when Jesus was arrested (Matthew 26:56, 31). Jesus committed His mother, Mary to John, and said: “Behold thy mother!” (John 19:27); honouring His (Jesus’) Mother (Ephesians 6:1, 2) by committing her, to him (John) to be taken care of – thus, John at the Place of the Cross, received the responsibility of caring for Jesus’ mother, Mary.
Jesus’ Second Statement on the Cross – “Today thou shalt be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43). Whenever an Individual acknowledged and received Jesus Christ, as his Lord & Saviour, he experienced an amazing experience:
It is amazing because a miracle takes place – being “born-again,” by God’s Word and Spirit (John 3:3-8; 1Peter 1:23; Titus 3:5).
The spiritually dead Sinner (Romans 5:12; 1Corinthians 15:22a) is raised to Eternal Life (John 3:16).
The Individual is brought from Darkness into Light (1Thessalonians 5:5).
The Individual received God’s Divine Nature (2Peter 1:4; 2Corinthians 3:18).
But the situation surrounding the “born-again-experience,” of some, is much more spectacular; when we considered the “born-again-experience,” of the Thief on the Cross, we must admit that it is really most amazing – Luke 23:35-43 “And the people stood looking on. But even the Rulers with them sneered, saying, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God. The soldiers also mocked Him. coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews save Yourself.’ And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin and Hebrew: “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEW. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation.? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but his Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” This was Jesus’ Second Words from the Cross – “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). The First Words: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus first prayed for His Enemies. In His Second Words, He turned to the Repentant Thief (Sinner) and gave him (the Thief) the assurance that he (Thief) was going to Heaven (Paradise of God). We would consider the amazing aspect of the Thief’s Salvation.
1.1 Amazing Situation
First of all, we cannot help but see the Amazing Situation at Calvary – When Jesus was crucified, He was placed between the two Thieves, in fulfilment of the Prophecy in Isaiah 53:12b “He was numbered with the Transgressors.” The Romans could have put the two Thieves together, and not in between Jesus; in fact, that would have been the natural thing to do. We get the impression that these two Thieves were Partners in crime, and certainly it would have been a good thing for the Soldiers to put these two friends together. Instead, the Soldiers put the Lord Jesus between the two Thieves – this is an Amazing Situation, prophesied in the Scripture: Acts 4:26 -28 “The Kings of the earth took their stand, and the Rulers were gathered together against the LORD and against His Christ. For truly against Your Holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.” (Acts 2:23). For the unfolding of the event that would follow.
1.11 Fulfillment
It was in fulfilment of the Prophecy given in Isaiah 53:12b that states: “He was numbered with the Transgressors.” And affirmed in historical fulfilment: “And with Him they crucify two thieves; the one on His right hand, and the other on His left. And the Scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And He was numbered with the transgressors” (Mark 15:27-28). Thus, we see God’s Hand (Isaiah 53) and the hand of man at work (Mark 15:27-28); Jesus was numbered with the Transgressors (Thieves). So that Amazing Situation began with the fulfilment of the Prophecy in Isaiah 53:12. God’s Word is settled in Heaven – Psalm 119:89 “Forever, O LORD, Your Word is settled in Heaven.”
1.12 God’s Wisdom
God arranged that Jesus was crucified between the two Thieves (Isaiah 53:12; Mark 15:27-28; Acts 4:26-28; Acts 2:23), so that the two thieves could hear Him Prayed: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
God’s Spirit took Jesus’ Prayer and touched the heart of both Thieves, but one Thief responded (Luke 23:39-43).
Both Thieves were on either side of Jesus, they could see the title, written in three common languages of that time (Greek, Latin and Hebrew), and the Thieves, probably knew at least two of those languages – “Jesus, the King of the Jews.” (Luke 23:38).
The title “Jesus, the King of the Jews” was perhaps the first Gospel track ever written, and it hung over the head of Jesus.
Those two Thieves, as they looked at each other, must look at Jesus! As they looked at Jesus, they must see that title – and that title told them who Jesus is. He is Jesus, which means “Saviour.” He is Jesus of Nazareth. He came from a despised and a rejected place, identified with the outcasts, called Nazareth – John 1:46b “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Jesus is King of the Jews – Jesus is the Saviour who has a Kingdom. And so, in reading this title, they could get the message of the Gospel.
God used the mockery of the Crowd (Luke 23:35), the Rulers (Luke 23:35), the Soldiers (Luke 23:36-37), and One of the Thieves (Luke 23:39), to win the Other Thief (Luke 23:40-43). How Amazing is the Working of God’s Gracious Providence?
1.2 Amazing Supplication
The Prayer that the one Thief prayed is truly one of the Amazing Prayer: Luke 23:42 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.’” God’s Spirit must have touched his (Thief’s) heart as the Scripture declares: 1Corinthians 12:3b “And no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” The “substance,” of the Thief’s Prayer:
Initially, both Thieves reviled Jesus – Matthew 27:41-44 “Likewise the Chief Priests also, mocking with the Scribes and Elders,……Even the thieves who were crucified with Him (Jesus) reviled Him (Jesus) with the same thing.”
Then, he (Thief) rebuked the other Thief who spoke evil against Jesus – Luke 23:39-40 “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him (Jesus), saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?’
He Confessed that he feared God – Luke 23:40b “‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?’”
He Confessed that he has committed crime and deserved the punishment – Luke 23:41a “And we justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds.”
He Confessed that Jesus is Sinless – Luke 23:41b “But this Man (Jesus) has done nothing wrong.”
He confessed and acknowledged the Lordship and Kingship of Jesus – Luke 23:42 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”
He Confessed that there was the life after death – Luke 23:42 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.”
He Asked with courage – asking Jesus to remember him, when He (Jesus) comes into His Kingdom (Luke 23:42).
He Received an affirmative assurance from Jesus – Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, ‘assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.”
The Crowd, the Rulers, the Soldiers and one of the Thief mocked Jesus, yet this Repentant Thief dares to ask Jesus to remember him; he, believing that Jesus is the King with His Kingdom. It can be said that the Repentant Thief who received Jesus, his faith ranks very high; because Jesus, while hung on the Cross, looked hopelessly defeated, yet he (the Repentant Thief) believed in Jesus and experienced Salvation – Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, ‘assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.’”
1.3 Amazing Salvation
There is the third aspect of this Amazement; – not only the Amazing Situation and the Amazing Supplication (Prayer) but also the Amazing Salvation. He (the Repentant Thief) turned to Jesus and asked Him (Jesus) to “Remember him when He (Jesus) comes into His Kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Jesus gave him an Amazing Salvation: “Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). The Sevenfold Aspects of this Amazing Salvation:
1.31 God’s Grace
What are the characteristics of the Salvation experienced by the Repentant Thief on the Cross, that is so amazing? To begin with, this Salvation was wholly by God’s Grace, as the Repentant Thief did not deserve to be saved and he admitted it; he said, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And We indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds.” (Luke 23:40b-41a). He admitted that he deserved to be Punished and not Salvation; yet he (the Repentant Thief) experienced the Salvation from Jesus Himself – Luke 23:42-43 “Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Paradise is Third Heaven (2Corinthians 12:2-4) and is also the Throne-Room of God wherein laid the Tree of Life (Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2).
Third Heaven & Paradise – 2Corinthians 12:2b-4 “One was caught up to the Third Heaven…caught up into Paradise….”
Tree of Life & Paradise – Revelation 2:7 “From the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”
Tree of Life & God’s Throne – Revelation 22:1-2 “And He showed me a Pure River of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the Throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the River, was the Tree of Life,….”
Salvation is wholly by God’s Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9); this Repentant Thief could not have earned his Salvation, he simply received Salvation by Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – Luke 23:42b “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” And 1Corinthians 12:3b “And no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.” Wherever there is Faith, there is God’s Grace; wherever there is Law, there is Works. The Repentant Thief could not work for God’s Salvation; all he could do was receive God’s Salvation as God’s Grace and God’s Gift – “For by Grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
1.32 Certain and Secure
The Repentant Thief’s Salvation, in Christ, was certain and secured because Jesus Himself gave him the Assurance – Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me Paradise.”
The Repentant Thief was an underserving Sinner both condemned by the Romans Law “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And We indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds.” (Luke 23:40b-41a);
Condemned by the Adamic Sin – Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” And 1Corinthians 15:22a “In Adam, all die.”
However, the Repentant Thief received Jesus as his Lord – Luke 23:42b “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” And 1Corinthians 12:3b “No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.”
1.33 Personal
There is a third characteristic to this Salvation. It was wholly of God’s Grace; the Salvation was certain and secure; and the Salvation was Personal – Luke 23:43 “Assuredly, I say to you.” You see God loves the Repentant Thief personally; Jesus’ Love was shown to him (the Repentant Thief) personally; and Christ saved him personally – Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me Paradise.”
1.34 Present
The Repentant Thief’s Salvation was Personal and the Salvation was Present Salvation: Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me Paradise.” The Repentant Thief had said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:42); his thought was “sometime in the future, you are going to have a Kingdom. Please remember me when that happened.” God’s Salvation is not a process; Salvation is instantaneous spiritual experience by God’s Power when he (Thief) put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ – “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:42). A Personal Present Salvation!
1.35 Centered in Christ
The Repentant Thief’s Salvation is centred in the Lord Jesus Christ – “To day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Jesus Christ was identified with this condemned Thief, and this Thief was identified with Jesus Christ, in Salvation. That is what the Cross is all about. Salvation is not centred in Moses or Keeping of the Law. It is not centred in John the Baptist. Salvation is centred in Jesus Christ. Salvation is wholly based on God’s Grace, Certain and Secure, Personal, Present and Centred in Jesus Christ.
1.36 Glorious
Salvation is Glorious – “To day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43). All the Repentant Thief had hoped for was to share in a future Kingdom about which he has no knowledge – Jesus told him that “Today he shall be with Him in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43). Paradise is Third Heaven (2Corinthians 12:2-4); and the Throne Room of God (Revelation 22:1-2).
1.37 Amazing
It is also remarkable that the Thief’s Salvation took place before the supernatural phenomena of that day:
Before the 3 Hours of Darkness (12pm {Noon} to 3pm – Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Amos 8:9).
Before the Earthquake and the Rock-Splitting (Matthew 27:51b).
Before the Centurion’s Confession: “Truly this was the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:54).
God purposely set the Thief’s Salvation before these “happenings,” took place, so that God’s Sovereign Grace is magnified, and His Sovereign Power acknowledged.
God designedly chose to save this Thief under the most un-favourable circumstances that no flesh should glory in His Presence (1Corinthians 1:29).
God deliberately arranged this combination of unnatural conditions and surroundings to teach us that “Salvation is of the LORD,” to teach us not to magnify human instrumentality above Divine Grace – to teach us that Salvation is the direct result of the supernatural operation of God’s Spirit.
Jesus’ First Statement on the Cross – “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34). The last words of a dying Person are very revealing, for example:
Karl Marx – On that day that Karl Marx died, March 14, 1883, his Housekeeper came to him and said, “Tell me your last words, and I will write them down.” Marx replied, “Go on, get out! Last words are for fools who have not said enough!” – he could not reconcile within himself.
P.T. Barnum, said, as he was dying, “What were today’s receipts?” – Still thinking about worldly things.
Napoleon said, “Chief of the Army!” – Still occupied with Conquest.
Charles Spurgeon, said as his last words, “Jesus died for me.” – Gratefulness & Thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ.
John Wesley, the Founder of Methodism said, “The best of all is, God is with us.” – Complete Assurance
In this and subsequent study we are considering the Seven-Statements of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ made on the Cross – His (Christ’s) Seven Last statements from the Cross. Christ’s Seven Statements are very revealing and very important to us, not only because of Christ who spoke but also because of the Place where these “Seven-Statements,” of Christ were spoken. When our Lord Jesus was doing His Greatest Work on Earth, He spoke forth some of His Greatest Statement. These Last “Seven-Statements,” from the Cross are windows that enable us to “see” Eternity and see and feel God the Father’s Heart.
The First of these “Seven-Statements” is found in Luke 23:33-34: “And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him and the Malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Christ’s Statement: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34) is a very profound and the wonders that are in Christ’s Statement asking, “God the Father to forgive,” those that crucified Him. If we grasp the wonders of Christ’s First Statement, we will not have the excuse not to forgive others who hurt us, thus, not harbouring against them.
1.1 Father Addressed
Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Our Lord Jesus addressed God the Father three times when He hung on the Cross:
Luke 23:34“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” – Is the first statement, in fulfilment of the Prophecy in Isaiah 53:12 – “He (Christ) made intercession for His Transgressors.”
Matthew 27:46“My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me?” – This was Christ’s fourth Statement, in fulfilment of the Prophecy of Psalm 22:1.
Luke 23:46, then Christ’s final Statement: “Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” This was in fulfilment of the Prophecy in Psalm 31:5a.
No situation/circumstance threatened Christ’s relationship with His Father, even when, (a) Jesus entered His Suffering (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b). (b) When Jesus was enduring His Suffering (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1). (c) When Jesus emerged victoriously from His Suffering (Luke 23:46; Psalm 31:5a). God the Father turned His face from Christ because the sins of the whole Human Race were placed on Him, and Jesus cried out: “My God, My God why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).
1.2 The Appeal
– “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b). The Greek New Testament indicates that our Lord Jesus repeated this Prayer – He (Jesus) said several times “Father, forgive them.”
As they laid Him on the Cross on the Ground, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them.”
As they nailed His hands and feet to that Cross, He prayed again, “Father, forgive them.”
As they lifted that Cross and placed it in the hole in the ground, Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them.”
As Jesus hung on the Cross between Heaven and Earth, He was repeatedly praying, “Father forgives them.” – “Jesus made Intercession for His Transgressors” (Isaiah 53:12b).
Jesus, in His Suffering could have asked the Father to judge His Enemies; He could have called for Legions of Angels to deliver Him, but Jesus did not do it – Matthew 26:53 “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve Legions of Angels?” Many times, when we are hurt or misunderstood, we pray for God’s judgement, on our behalf, on that Individual, this attitude is not scriptural. We need to follow Christ’s example, forgive those who have hurt us or caused disappointments.
1.3 Fulfillment
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Why did Jesus pray this Prayer of Forgiveness? Jesus was fulfilling the Prophecy in Isaiah 53:12 (Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12 – the Great Calvary Chapter of the Old Testament): “Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sins of many and made intercession for the Transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12). Our Lord Jesus was praying for those who were crucifying Him, as He was fulfilling the Prophecy in Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12 recorded 18 facts about the humiliation and suffering and the Work of Christ on the Cross:
Jesus’ Visage {Appearance} and Form (Physical) were marred beyond recognition (Isaiah 52:14).
Jesus was despised of men (Isaiah 53:3a).
Jesus was rejected of men (Isaiah 53:3a).
Jesus was a Man of Sorrow (Pains – Isaiah 53:3b). Jesus carried our Sorrows (Pains- Isaiah 53:4b).
Jesus was acquainted with Grief (Isaiah 53:3b). Jesus borne our Griefs (Isaiah 53:4a).
Jesus was stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God (Isaiah 53:4c, 10a).
Jesus was wounded for our Transgressions (Sin against God’s Law -Isaiah 53:5a, 8b).
Jesus was bruised for our Iniquities (Lawlessness – Isaiah 53:5b,11b).
Jesus was chastised for our Peace (Isaiah 53:5b).
Jesus was beaten (wounded) for our sickness (Isaiah 53:5c; 1Peter 2:24).
Jesus carried all our iniquities, as God the Father laid on Him all our iniquity (Isaiah 53:6b).
Jesus was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not protest (Isaiah 53:7a).
Jesus was led unresistingly to the slaughter (crucifixion on the Cross – Isaiah 53:7b).
Jesus was “cut-off-from-the land-of-the-living,” (experienced real-physical-death – Isaiah 53:8b, 12b).
Jesus was buried on the “borrowed-tomb,” of the rich-man (Isaiah 53:9b).
Jesus became “God’s Sin-Offering” (Isaiah 53:10b).
Jesus was numbered with the Transgressors (2 thieves – Isaiah 53:12b; John 19:18).
Jesus made Intercessors for His Transgressors (Isaiah 53:12c – “Father, forgive them…..” {Luke 23:33-34})
1.4 Ignorant of Person of Christ
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) – What the High Priests and the People ignorant of His (Christ’s) Person:
Ignorant of Christ’s Person – they mocked Him as the Prophet – “Prophesy, tell us who struck You” (Luke 22:64).
Mock Jesus as the King – they put a robe on Him, gave Him as a sceptre and a crown of thorns (Matthew 27:29).
Laughed at Him (Christ’s) claim that He is the Son of God – “If you are the Christ, come down, from the Cross,” (Matthew 27:40).
But History and Believers have proven that Jesus, is the Christ, the Son of God – God’s Redemptive Atoning Work through Him (Christ – Matthew 16:16; 2Corinthians 5:21).
1.5 Ignorant of their Own Actions
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34):
The High Priests and the People were ignorant of their own actions – they did not realise that what they were doing was the fulfilment of the Prophecy in God’s Word of Isaiah 52:13 to Isaiah 53:12.
The Soldiers parted His (Christ’) Garment (Luke 23:34), in fulfilment of Psalm 22:18.
The Soldiers gave Jesus’ vinegar to drink (Luke 23:36), in fulfilment of Psalm 69:21.
The Soldiers crucified Him (Jesus) with the Transgressors (Luke 23:33), in fulfilment of Isaiah 53:12a “He was numbered with the Transgressors (2 thieves).”
1.6 Ignorant of their sin
Most of all, the High Priests, and the Jewish People were ignorant of the enormity of their own sin. In the Old Testament, the Jewish Law made provision the Offering of the “Sins of Ignorance” (Leviticus 4). Jesus was saying: “Father, My people do not understand; they are ignorant. I am dying for them. They know not what they do; I know what I am doing – I am dying in their behalf. Now, Father, forgive them.”
Peter – Acts 3:17, Apostle Peter said to the Jewish Leaders: “I know that through ignorance you did it.”
Paul himself, in 1Timothy 1:13 states: “I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”
1.7 Christ’s Message
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His Disciples: “Love your Enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and Pray (Intercede – Isaiah 53:12b) for them which despitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Jesus was demonstrating the Message of Forgiveness that He Taught: “Now, if you do not forgive from your heart, God cannot forgive you,” in the Sermon of the Mount (Matthew 6:14-15).
Jesus demonstrated “the spirit of forgiveness,” during the time of the Romans Era. The Romans worshipped god of revenge – Revenge was one of the gods of the Romans. Our Lord Jesus did not take revenge, so we must not. – Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34), in fulfilment of the Prophecy (Isaiah 53:12b – “He {Jesus} made intercession for the Transgressors”) and His (Jesus’) Teaching on the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:44; 6:14-15).
1.8 Purpose of Christ’s Death
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b). The Cross of Jesus Christ is the Gospel of Hope because God forgives Sinners. We do not have to go round with the weight and the wage of sin – Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, and the gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Forgiveness is what the Cross of Jesus Christ is all about; and of God’s forgiveness is not cheap, it costs the Life of His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ in His Broken Body and Shed-Blood in His Death, Burial, and Resurrection – 1Corinthians 15:1-4 “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand. By which also you are saved, if we hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believe in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”
Thus, we will have no problem forgiving others if we are in right relationship with our Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Power of the Holy Spirit; if we obey God’s Word, remembering that we have received God’s Forgiveness. The wonder of Christ’s address to the Father and the wonder of Christ’s appeal to the Father – “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b).
1.9 Jesus’ Advocacy
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34; Isaiah 53:12b) – Jesus gave the reason for asking God the Father’s forgiveness to those that crucified Him – “For they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34b). Jesus not only prayed for His Enemies, but also presented the reason on their behalf! Jesus is the Lawyer (Advocate – 1John 2:1b) – Giving the reason why His Father should forgive those who crucified Him – “For they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34b). The Declaration: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34), has been greatly misunderstood; this Declaration does not mean that everybody is automatically forgiven, nor does it mean that ignorance brings forgiveness. Christ’s Redemptive Work in the Cross has to be acknowledged, received and embraced – Acknowledging that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (Matthew 16:16); Receiving Him (Jesus) as our Lord and Saviour (Acts 2:21; Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13 – “Calling on the Name of the LORD”) – Romans 10:9-10, 13 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…..For ‘whoever calls on the Name of the LORD shall be saved.”
1.10 God’s Answer
Jesus Sacrificial Redemptive Death on the Cross, His Broken Body and Shed Blood is God’s Answer for the Salvation of the Fallen Human Race – Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world and death through sin, and death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (1Corinthians 15:22a – “In Adam all die”). The First Adam sinned and introduce sin and death to the whole Human Race (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12; 1Corinthians 15:22a); the Last Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins so that we can be made righteous before God (2Corinthians 5:21).
Practical Application
The High Priests of Israel condemned their Messiah (Christ – Matthew 27:22b, 23, 25). His own Disciples failed Him and fled (Mark 14:50). Peter denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75). God the Father was willing, for His Son, Christ, to be the Substitutionary Atoning Sacrifice for Humanity, in order that man’s sin can be forgiven, in Christ’s Sacrificial Redemptive Work. Thus, sometimes it is very difficult for us to forgive people who have hurt us and spoken against us; but we need to forgive as God, in Christ, forgive us – “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34a, Isaiah 53:12b).
John 19:18 “Where they crucified Him and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the centre” (Matthew 27:38; Mark 15:27; Luke 23:33)
On the crucifixion day only three Crosses, why??
Why, is Jesus placed in the centre, with the notorious Criminals, one on either side?
It was Prophesied in Isaiah 53:12b “He (Jesus) was numbered with the Transgressors.”
It was God’s Plan, to have two other thieves crucified with Jesus on Calvary on Christ’s crucifixion-day, in fulfilment of Isaiah 53:12b “He (Jesus) was numbered with the Transgressors.”
On Calvary, outside the City of Jerusalem, Jesus, the Sinless (2Corinthians 5:21), was placed in the midst of two notorious Criminals. God, in His Sovereignty, has in the placing of the two thieves, in order to represent the two great classes into which the whole of humanity is divided now and in Eternity – the Person who experienced Salvation (saved) and the other who does not experience Salvation (lost).
1.1 Christ in the Midst
On the centre Cross hung Jesus in fulfilment of the Prophecy in Isaiah 53:12b “He (Jesus) was numbered with the Transgressors.” This is affirmed in Mark 15:28 “He (Christ) was numbered with the Transgressors.” Because the three (Christ and the two thieves) are crucified together, showing forth three relative truths:
Christ dies for sin (2Corinthians 5:21).
One thief dies in sin (Luke 23:39).
One thief dies to sin (Luke 23:40-43).
The two thieves were dying for their own iniquities – Luke 23:41a “And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds.”
Christ, the Dying Saviour – Luke 23:41b “This Man (Christ) has done nothing wrong,” (2Corinthians 5:21),is dying for the two men and for all the two men represented (Saved and Lost)
One Thief is the “dying-Saint” (experienced Salvation) – Luke 23:42 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom’” – No man can call Jesus Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 12:3b). Jesus Assurance – Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Other Thief is a “a dying Sinner” (lost) – Luke 23:39-41) “Then one of the Criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us. But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds but this Man (Christ) has done nothing wrong.”
As we view these grim Crosses, we find ourselves hanging on one of the three Crosses, for such a scene presents the separation Christ and His Gospel brings about.
1.2 The Cross of Redemption
The centre Cross is the Greatest of the three Crosses on Calvary – in the centre Cross (Christ’s Cross) is the Truth, which is the Foundational and Central Revelation of Scripture (Bible), and the central point in all history.
The heart of Christianity is the Bible, and the heart of the Bible is the Cross of Jesus Christ – and the heart of the Cross of Jesus Christ is the heart of God the Father, who is in Christ reconciling the World unto Himself – 2Corinthians 5:18a “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ.”
Crucifixion, the form of capital punishment conceived by the Romans and abolished as such by Emperor Constantine, as meted out to Jesus the Sinless One of God forms the darkest as well as the brightest blot on the pages of history – at the Cross of Jesus Christ, we see man at his worst – but God at His best.
What infinite condescension it was on the part of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, to make Himself of no reputation, to be willing to be reckoned among Transgressors (Mark 15:28), and to be thought of as the Chief of the Three dying on the Crosses, that day! There Christ Jesus was in agony and fully forsaken by God the Father, because of the load of the sins of humanity upon Him (Psalm 22:3; Matthew 27:46) – “And about the nineth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli’ Eli, lama sabachthani?’ That is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” – Jesus dying like Sinners (reckoned among Transgressors – Mark 15:28 – the two thieves), dying among the Sinners (Mark 15:28), but dying for Sinners (2Corinthians 5:21).
No wonder Apostle Paul revered the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ – 1Corinthians 1:18 “The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the Power of God.” At the Cross of Calvary, we see fourfold accomplishment:
God’s Love Manifested – At the Cross of Jesus Christ, at Calvary, we learned that God loves us without stint (period) and reserve – God, in the Substitutionary Sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on our behalf – 1John 4:8b “God is Love” – John 3:16a “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.”
God’s Law Satisfied – Christ, came not to destroy “The Law,” but to fulfil “The Law” – by His death, He met and discharged the exacting demands of the Divine Law:
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil.”
Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Jesus took our condemnation and curse, Himself being made a curse – Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:10b), having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).” The middle Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is the charter of our forgiveness, the guarantee of our acceptance as children of God with inheritance (Romans 8:14-17).
Our Liberty Secured – We are Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ – Ephesians 1:7 “In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” And there is Power in the Shed Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ – Revelation 1:5 (RV) “Unto Him that loveth us and loosed us from our sins in His blood.” There is ever-continuing efficacy of Christ’s Finished Work on the Cross of Calvary – John 19:30 “It is Finished.” And therefore, we are “to stand fast, in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” (Galatians 5:1).
Spirit-Filled Life – It is one thing to believe and receive the Crucified Christ, and different matter altogether to live a crucified life – Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Christ died that we may live, not to the carnal self (1Corinthians 3:1-4), but to God, through the Spirit:
Live in the Spirit – Galatians 5:25a “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Led by the Spirit – Galatians 5:18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.” (Romans 8:14)
Walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
The Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ not only cancelled our past (Justification – 2Corinthians 5:21) but has provision for our future (Sanctification – Hebrews 10:10, 14); and the end (Glorification – 1John 3:2).
Paul’s teaching in his Epistles is drenched with the message and mission of the Cross – Paul is “determined to know nothing among men save Christ, and Him (Christ) crucified” (2Corinthians 2:2). In Galatians 6:14 “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.” There are three triads to summarise his (Paul’s) teaching on the Cross in Galatians 6:14, for which he (Paul) suffered many persecutions:
Christ on the Cross – Galatians 6:14b “The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – The Cross is the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ – The Cross of Christ has Life, Hope and Assurance of Eternity.
The World on the Cross – Galatians 6:14c “By whom the world has been crucified to me (Paul).” Christ’s Cross carries the Present World, with all its glitter, is now “a hollow thing” to Paul himself. – The world is crucified – dead, having no appeal to Paul himself.
The Believer on the Cross – Galatians 6:14d “And I to the world.” – The Believer’s Cross brings us to a realization of the mystic truth about being crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), walking in His (Christ’s) Sacrifice, sharing Christ’s Death; Paul could write to the Philippians about being made conformable to Christ’s Death. Is our, the crucified life (Galatians 2:20)? – Are we dead to the appeal to the world?
1.3 The Cross of Reception
The Thief who acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, experienced the Power of the Cross of Reception – Luke 23:42-43 “Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” As Jesus had declared earlier: “I, if I am lifted up, will draw all men unto Me” (John 12:32). The dying thief on the Cross is the first fulfilment of that Prophecy. Here we find Christ illustrating His threefold Office of Prophet, Priest, and King:
Prophet (Acts 3:22), Jesus said to the daughters of Jerusalem, “Weep not for Me, but for yourselves, and for the days that are coming.” (Luke 23:28) – Prophetic Declaration.
Priest (Hebrews 4:15), Jesus prayed: “Father forgives them,” (Luke 23:34); and cried in triumph, “It is Finished” (John 19:30).
King (Revelation 19:16), Jesus opened the door of Glory of Heaven for a believing Individual to enter – “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43b).
It is a manifestation of Christ’s Saving Grace – the exchange for his (thief’s) sin for Christ Righteousness – Luke 23:42-43 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” There are two truths emerging from this Divine Exchange between the believing thief and Jesus:
The Triumph of Faith – The Bible teaches: “He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16a). The dying believing Thief could only believe (Luke 23:42) – his naked faith in Christ’s Promise saved him (Luke 23:43). Thus, he is saved by Grace through Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). When Jesus assured the dying believing Thief: “Today you will be with Me in Paradise,” it means immediate entrance into Christ’s Glory – He departed with Christ, and revelled in His (Christ’s) Presence.
The Triumph of Grace – The dying believing Thief was “a dead-bed” conversion, that whenever and wherever a Sinner repents and receives the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, he experienced God’s Grace in Salvation – Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Jesus assured: “Whoever cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
1.4 The Cross of Rejection
The Thief who rejected and blasphemed Christ on the Cross, suffered the consequence of separation from God and His (God’s) Redemptive Work and Presence – Eternal Separation from God – Luke 23:39 “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him (Christ), saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’” This Thief died in his callousness (heartlessness) and in his sin – this unrepentant, unsaved Thief was so near to Christ as his now repentant Companion in crime was, and he could have received the same assurance of pardon from the Lord Jesus, if he cried out for the Lord Jesus’ mercy; but, instead, continued to blasphemed the Lord Jesus to the end.
From one side of the Cross of Christ, a Thief goes to Paradise (Luke 23:43); while the unrepentant Thief goes to Perdition (Hell – “Lake of Fire and Brimstone” {Revelation 20:15}). Here God’s Universal Law is enacted (ratified) – Christ is either the Saviour of Life or Death. The three Crosses on Calvary demonstrates how the Cross of Christ divides the world.
Wherever Christ is lifted up in testimony and offered, there are those who repented and received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Personal Lord and Saviour; and there are those who scorn in disbelieve on the other, like the unrepentant Thief who continued to blasphemed the Lord Jesus (Luke 43:39) – thus, the Preaching of the Cross of Christ is either the Power of God unto Salvation, or it is foolishness: – 1Corinthians 1:22-24 “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.” The sad situation of the unrepentant Thief show-forth two thoughts:
Christ without the Cross – The unrepentant Thief wants Christ without the Cross – Luke 23:39 “Then one of the Criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him (Christ), saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’” – In the beginning, both Thieves cried, “If You be the Christ, save Yourself and us” – Matthew 27:44 “Even the robbers who were crucified with Him (Christ) reviled Him with the same thing.” (Mark 15:32b):
The Thief who believed, discovered that Christ could provide the way of Salvation and acknowledged Him and received Him – Luke 23:42-43 “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom. And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” Even though he still has to pay the physical penalty for his crime (John 19:32).
The unrepentant Thief clung to his desire of the bloodless Gospel – Luke 23:39 “Then one of the Criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him (Christ), saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’” The Modern-Christianity is for a Christ without the blood-stained Cross – called the “ethical Christ,” “the Social-Christ,” “Christ the Teacher, the Exemplar.” But Christ and His Cross are eternally nailed together, Paul stated: “We preach Christ crucified,” – 1Corinthians 1:23-24 “But we preach Christ crucified to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called both Jews and Greeks, Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.”
Christ crucified on the Cross is the only Gospel that God’s Spirit acknowledges and works on – Ephesians 1:7 “In Him (Christ) we have the redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” The Preaching of the Cross is always the Power of God unto Salvation (1Corinthians 1:23-24).
The Thief Died in his Sin – The unrepentant Thief died in his sin, even though the Salvation was close at hand – Christ was in his midst – Mark 15:27-28 With Him (Christ) they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. So, the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And He (Christ) was numbered with the transgressors” It was impossible for Christ to be any nearer to either of the Thieves than He was. The one Thief took the opportunity and received Jesus as Lord and Saviour and was with Jesus in Paradise (Luke 23:42-43); whereas the other Thief was just as close to the Lord Jesus Christ, but he failed to take his opportunity to accept God’s proffered (extended) Mercy. The unrepentant Thief was in the perilous state without Christ, as he died in his sins (Romans 5:12; 1Corinthians 15:22a) – Revelation 20:16 “And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
In John 6:53-56, Jesus told the Jews that if they do not partake of His “Flesh” and “Blood,” they cannot have Eternal Life – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except you eat the Flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His Blood, you have no life in you. Whoso eats My Flesh and drink My Blood has Eternal Life; and I will raise him up at the Last Day. For My Flesh is meat indeed, and My Blood is drink indeed. He that eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood, dwells in Me, and I in him.” Though some teach that John 6:53-56 is a reference to “Elements” of The Lord’s Table (Communion), the context testifies to the “Perpetual Eating by Faith” of the Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross. A comparison of the two passages (John 6:40 and John 6:54) found in John 6:41-59 helps us to see how an Individual can “eat” Christ’s Flesh and “drink” Christ’s Blood.
John 6:40
a
Everyone who sees the Son
b
and believes in Him
c
may have Everlasting Life
d
and I will raise him up at the Last Day
John 6:54
a1
Whoever eats My Flesh
b1
and drinks My Blood
c1
has Eternal Life
d1
and I will raise him up at the Last Day
The literary structure of the above John 6:40 & John 6:54 shows parallelism, and thus we can conclude that the Recipient of these Promises are the same: “Sees” (a) and “believes” (b) in John 6:40 are parallel to the “eats” (a1) and “drinks” (b1) in John 6:54. Jesus is therefore speaking about the importance of the Individual Believer’s Faith in His Shed-Blood and Broken-Body on the Cross of Calvary in order to receive Eternal Life.
Jesus speaks in John 6:56 that “He that eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood dwells in Me, and I in him.” The present participle form of the Greek terms for “eats” and “drinks” implies that the Individual Believer’s Faith in the Blood and Death of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be a continuing one. In other words, only the Individual Believer who continually feeds on the Atoning Redemptive Power of Christ’s Blood and His Death can enter into Union with Him. Christ’s Flesh and Blood offered on the Cross at Calvary is Life-Giving to every Individual Believer. In John 6 passage, Jesus gives Eternal Life to an Individual who would place his/her trust on His (Christ’s) Atoning-Redemptive Work on the Cross at Calvary, where His (Christ’s) Body was broken, and His (Christ’s) Blood was shed, as God’s Lamb, in His Sacrificial Substitutional Death (John 1:29, 36).
Jesus’ teaching as recorded in John 6 emphasise the importance of Faith in His (Christ’s) Shed Blood and His Broken Body, to receive Eternal Life. In John 6:32-50, Jesus introduced Himself as the “Bread of Life,” and the necessity of believing in Him for Eternal Life. Then in John 6:51, He (Jesus) said: “…the Bread that I will give is My Flesh, which I (Jesus) will give for the life of the world.” Jesus is referring to His Sacrificial-Substitutionary-Death and His Shed Blood, that provides Eternal Life for All who believe. But the Jews are confused about Christ’s saying, and asked, “How can this Man (Jesus) gives us His Flesh?” (John 6:52). Then, Jesus answered them, “Except you eat the Flesh of the Son of God and drink His Blood, you have no Life (Eternal-Life).” (John 6:53).
By introducing His (Christ’s) “Blood” together with His (Christ’s) “Flesh,” Jesus is revealing to the Jews that His Own Atoning-Redemptive Sacrifice involved His Own Flesh and His Own Blood (John 1:29, 36 – The Lamb of God). As it is with the Jewish Sin-Offering, the “blood” is crucial; so also, is Christ’s Blood in His Atoning-Redemptive Work for the Salvation to All. It is Christ’s Shed Blood and His Death, that brings Eternal Life to Believers. The term “Christ’s Blood,” and “Christ’s Flesh,” are used literally and not figuratively. Jesus literally Shed His Precious Blood, and Sacrificed His Body; thus, it is both Christ’s Sacrifice (His Broken Body and Shed Blood), in His Death, and our receiving His Shed Blood and Death, in Faith, that gives us Eternal Life.
Morning Dew . Life 