1.0 The Statement

Jesus Seventh Statement from the Cross reveals to us about Death and how Jesus died – Luke 23:46 “And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” Five Characteristics of Christ’s Death encouraged us of our Salvation in our Lord Jesus:

1.1 Christ’s Death was Determined

The Death of Jesus Christ was determined for Him beforehand – Acts 2:23 “Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by wicked hands, have crucified and put to death.” (Acts 4:28). Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36) was slain from the Foundation of the World – Revelation 13:8b “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Thus, before Adam was created – the Fall of Adam was anticipated. Before Sin entered the world, Salvation from it had been planned by God (Acts 2:23).

In the Eternal Counsel of the Godhead, it was fore-ordained that Jesus Christ, will be the God-Man, the Saviour, that will die for Sinners (Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 5:8). Thus, Christ’s Death is the “Undergirding of the Cross.”

1.2 No Bones were Broken

Luke 23:46b “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” – Some people taught that Jesus’ Death was an illusion, but this was not the case; Jesus died, as John recorded that the Roman Officials checked very carefully to be sure that Jesus had died. When the Soldiers came to look at the bodies on the crosses, they discovered that Jesus was already dead (John 19:330; thus, the Soldiers did not break His legs in fulfilment of the Prophecy: 

• Psalm 34:20 “He guards all His bones; not one of them is broken.”
• John 19:33, 36 “But when they (soldiers) came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs…..For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘Not one of His bones shall be broken.’”
• Exodus 12:46 “In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones.”
• Numbers 9:12 “They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it.”
• Psalm 22:17a “I can count all My bones.”

When Joseph and Nicodemus wanted to get custody of Christ’s Body, to give Christ a decent burial, they must check with Pilate, and Pilate marvelled that Jesus was already dead (Mark 15:44). Thus, the official evidence of the Roman Empire was that Jesus had died. The evidence of the Gospel Writers is that Jesus had died; Jesus tasted death for every Person. Jesus tasted the full experience of death – Jesus confronted the last Enemy – Death – and courageously faced its sorrow, its trial, its pain and its finality – Jesus had victory over Death (2Timothy 1:10; Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14; 1Corinthians 15:24-26; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:14; Revelation 21:4; Luke 20:35-36; 2Corinthians 5:1-2; John 11:43-44; Romans 1:4; Revelation 1:18; John 5:28-29; 1Corinthians 15:25-26; Acts 2:27). Thus, our Eternity in Christ is Secured!

1.3 Christ Died Confidently

a. Jesus died confidently – Luke 23:46b “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” 

• Father’s Presence – Jesus died confidently because He had the Father’s Presence – He addressed His Father, three times on the Cross:
• Jesus’ First Word from the Cross: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34).
• Jesus’ Fourth Word “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).
• Jesus’ Seventh Word: “Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46). At the beginning, in the middle and at the end of His ordeal, our Lord Jesus addressed to His Father.

Jesus died confidently because He had the Father’s Presence – He addressed His Father, three times on the Cross:

b. Father’s Promise – Jesus had the Father’s Promise, as prophesied in Psalm 31:5 “Into Thine hand I commit My spirit: Thou hast redeemed Me, O Lord God of truth.” Psalm 31:5 is the O.T. Promise, Jesus applied it to Himself; but He (Jesus) changed it, and since He is the Author of the Word, He can do this. He added the address, “Father,” but He omitted the phrase about being redeemed: “Thou hast redeemed Me, O Lord God of truth.” – Jesus did not have to be redeemed because He never sinned, and it was not necessary for Him to be redeemed. When He died, He claimed God’s Word and entrusted Himself to His Father.

c. Father’s Fulfilment – Jesus fulfilled the Scripture – All of Jesus’ three Prayers from the Cross are tied to Prophecy of the Scripture:

• When Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34), was in fulfilment of Isaiah 53:12 “He….made intercession for the transgressors.”
• When Jesus cried: “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me.” (Matthew 27:46). Jesus was quoting Psalm 22:1.
• When Jesus cried out: “Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46), Jesus was quoting part of Psalm 31:5.

Thus, Our Lord Jesus lived by God’s Word, and died by God’s Word. Jesus’ Assurance was His Father’s Promises in His Word.

d. Father’s Protection – Jesus has the Assurance and Protection of His Father – Luke 23:46b “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” – For many hours our Lord Jesus had been in the hands of the Roman Soldiers, the Jewish Religious Leaders, and the People, experiencing their mocking (Luke 23:35-39; Matthew 27:49; Psalm 22:7-8). Jesus told His Disciples, “I am going to be delivered into the hands of the Sinners.” (Matthew 16:21; Luke 24:7; Matthew 26:45; Mark 14:41).

• The Sinners took hold of Jesus and bound Him (Matthew 26:57; 27:2).
• The Sinners stripped Him (Matthew 27:28).
• The Sinners put a crown of thorns upon His head (Matthew 27:29).
• The Sinners spit on Him and struck Him (Matthew 27:30; Isaiah 50:6).
• The Sinners pulled out Jesus’ beard (Isaiah 50:6).
• The Sinners nailed Him to the Cross, and crucified Him (Matthew 27:31, 35a).
• The Sinners pierced His side (John 19:34).

But when He (Jesus) approached the End of His Ordeal of the Sacrificial Redemptive Work on the Cross, Jesus was no longer in the hands of the Sinner, but in His Father’s Hands – Luke 23:46b “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” As prophesied in Psalm 31:8 “Thou hast not shut Me up into the hands of the enemy.” And Psalm 31:15 “My times are in Thy hand: deliver Me from the hands of Mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.” Thus, our security is in both, Jesus’ Hands, and the Father’s Hands – the double security – John 10:28-29 “And I give them Eternal Life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatched them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

1.4 Christ Died Willingly

Christ died Confidently, and Christ died Willingly – In one sense, Jesus was killed – Peter said: “Him…you have taken, by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23); but in another sense, Christ was not killed, for He died willingly, laid down His Own Life:

• Hebrews 5:8 “Though He (Jesus) was the Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”
• Philippians 2:6-8 “Who (Jesus), being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of Man. And being found in appearance as a Man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
• John 10:17-18 “Therefore does My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to take it again.”   

Thus, our Lord Jesus died willingly in obedient to the Father’s Will. This is an amazing event! No O.T. sacrifices ever died willingly. No lamb, goat, or sheep, birds, etc., ever willingly gave its life. But Jesus willing laid down His Life as God’s Lamb (John 1:29, 36). Jesus willingly laid down His Life on our behalf (John 3:16).

1.5 Christ Died Victoriously

Luke 23:46b “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” Jesus Confidently, Jesus died Willingly, and Jesus died Victoriously, for He cried out: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” (Luke 23:46b). Our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished the Work that God the Father gave Him to do, and when He gave up His Spirit, several miracles took place:

• The Veil of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom – Matthew 27:51a. “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to bottom.” – Thus, God opened the way for us into His Presence (Hebrews 10:19-20).
• Some Graves were opened, and some of the Dead Saints were Resurrected (Matthew 27:52).
• Satan and the Satanic Hosts were defeated – Colossians 2:15 “Having disarmed Principalities and Powers, He (Jesus) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
• The Mosaic Ordinances, Statutes, Feasts, Offerings, the Aaronic Priesthood and Sacrifices were abolished – Colossians 2:14 “Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He (Jesus) has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the Cross.”  
• There was even an Earthquake in that Area (Matthew 27:51b) – the Earthquake reminds us of the Earthquake at Mount Sinai when God came down and gave the Law (Ten Commandments – Exodus 19:18). However, this Earthquake, did not announce the terror of the Law; it announced the Fulfilment of the Law by our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Thus, our Lord Jesus Christ’s Sacrificial Redeeming Victorious Death – “It is Finished” (John 19:30) – And Luke 23:46b “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” – Overcame Satan, Sin, Death, and Hell:

• Satan is Defeated – Colossians 2:15 “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He (Jesus) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
• Sin is Defeated – Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• Death & Hell are Defeated – 1Corinthians 15:54b-55 “Death is swallowed up in victory, O Death, where is your sting? O Hades (Hell), where is your victory?”
• Death & Hell will be Removed after the 1,000 Millennial Rule of Christ – Revelation 20:14 “The Death and Hades (Hell) were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the Second Death.”

Our Lord Jesus died for the Sinners: He died Confidently, He died Willingly, and He died Victoriously! – Thus, we, who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Saviour, our Salvation is Secured in Him (Christ) and in God the Father – John 10:28-29 “And I give them Eternal Life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatched them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” 

1.0 The Statement

Jesus’ Sixth Statement on the Cross: “It is Finished” (John 19:30) – John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said. It is finished: and He bowed His head and gave up the spirit.” – Most Christians have lost the understanding of the price that our Lord Jesus Christ paid for our sin, on the Cross. In the days of Christ, crucifixion meant shame, torture, and slow and agonizing death. Our Lord Jesus was “obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.” (Philippians 2:8). The Sixth Statement of Jesus made on the Cross was: “It is Finished” (John 19:30). When we compared the Gospel Records, we discovered that Jesus shouted this Statement. With a loud voice He cried, “It is Finished Then He bowed His head, and He gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30).

Our Lord Jesus was able, at the end of His Ministry, to shout in Great Victory: “It is Finished.” (John 19:30); because of His (Christ’s) Sacrificial Redemptive Work on the Cross, we have the assurance of Eternal Salvation.

A. The Servant

“It is Finished” (John 19:30), “Telelestai,” is a familiar Greek Word used in the time of Christ. In that culture, when the Servant or Slave finished his work, he would come back and say to the Master: “Telelestai – I have finished the work that you gave me to do.” Jesus Christ, who is God’s Servant, has accomplished the Work of Salvation on the Cross and cried out: “It is Finished” (Gk: “telelestai” – John 19:30).

• Philippians 2:6-8 “Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond Servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a Man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
• Hebrews 5:8 “Though He was the Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

The Lord Jesus Christ came with a Special Mission on behalf of His Father – John 17:4 “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” – “It is Finished” (John 19:30).

B. The Priest

“It is Finished” (John 19:30). The Priest also used this Statement: “It is Finished.” (John 19:30). The Jewish people had to bring their sacrifices to the Priest to be examined because it was against the Law to offer imperfect sacrifice at God’s Altar. After the Priest had examined the sacrifice, he would declare: “It is Perfect.” The use of the Hebrew or the Aramaic word would be equivalent to “telelstai

Our Lord Jesus Christ, dying on the Cross, was God’s Perfect, faultless Sacrifice – “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29, 36), as attested by His Father – “This is My Beloved Son, in whom I and well-pleased” (Matthew 3:17). God the Father put His Seal of Approval upon the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son (Matthew 3:17). The Holy Spirit came down as a Dove and rested on Jesus (Matthew 3:16-17). Thus, the Priest used the word “telelestai” to declare that the “sacrifice was perfect.” Jesus Christ dying on the Cross was God’s Perfect, Faultless Sacrifice – The Lamb of God,” as declared; (John 1:29, 36).

C. Artist

“It is Finished” (John 19:30) – (1) The Servant when the task is completed would declared to his Master: “Telelestai” (“It is Finished”); (2) The Priest, after examine the sacrifice, would declared: “Telelestai” (It is Finished); (3) The Artist, when he has completed his work, would declare: “Telelestai” – “It is Finished” of his (Artist’s) Master-Piece.

D. Merchant

It is Finished” (John 19:30). The term “It is Finished” (GK: “telelestai”) was also a common term used by the Merchant. To the Merchant, it means that “the debt has been paid in full,” (GK: “telelestai”).

E. Christ

“It is Finished” (John 19:30) – Christ, God’s Faithful Servant, came to do the Father’s Will – John 4:34 “Jesus said, ‘My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” (Also, Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 5:8) – Christ Priestly Prayer – John 17:4 “I have glorified Thee on the earth: I Have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” – Christ completed His Father’s Work and declared on the Cross, with the declaration: “It is Finished (Telelestai).” (John 19:30).

1.1 Prophecies Fulfilled

When Jesus cried out “It is Finished” (John 19:30), He (Christ) brought about the completion and fulfilment of ALL the O.T. Prophecies, symbols, and foreshadowing about Himself. From Genesis to Malachi, there are about 300 detailed Prophecies His (Christ’s) First Coming and the Atoning Work of Redemption:

• The Seed of the Woman – Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed (Christ); and He (Christ) shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heed (the crucifixion).” Also, Isaiah7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His Name Immanuel.” 
•  Tabernacle & Offerings – All the Structures in the Tabernacle, the Priesthood, the Five-Offerings, the Furnishing – all foreshadowed Christ and His Works on Earth – Colossians 2:14 “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross.”
• The Veil (Christ’s Body) – When Christ completed the Sacrificial Redemptive Work on the Cross and declared: “It is Finished” (John 19:30, the Veil (Christ’s Body), in the Temple was torn in two – Matthew 27:51a “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” – Opening the direct access of God to us (Hebrews 10:19-20).
• The Law – The Righteousness of the Law was fulfilled through the Finished Work of the Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 10:4 “Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
• God’s Wrath Appeased – God the Father uphold His own Holiness and yet fulfilled His own demands when Jesus died on the Cross, on our behalf – “It is Finished” (John 19:30). Thus, there is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
• The Types and Prophecies in the Law were fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ’s Sacrificial Redemptive Work on the Cross – “It is Finished” (John 19:30), as in Hebrews 9:26-28; 10:4, 12 “Once in the end of the world (age) hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself! And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many….It is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sin….But this Man (Jesus), after He had offered one Sacrifice for sin forever, sat down on the right hand of God.”

The Work of Salvation is completed – “It is Finished,” (John 19:30); Our Lord Jesus was buried, and He arose from the dead. He ascended to Heaven and sat down on God the Father’s Right-hand (Acts 2:22-36). Thus, Salvation established in Christ’s Death, Burial and Resurrection (1Corinthians 15:1-4), is completed; therefore, nothing should be added or taken away or substituted for the Salvation. Salvation is the Finished Work of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 19:30). – Jesus cried: “It is Finished” (Gk: “telelestai” – John 19:30)!

1.0 The Statement

Jesus’ Fifth Statement on the Cross: “I Thirst.” (John 19:28). “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to His mouth, when Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is Finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the spirit.” (John 19:28-30). The first Three Statements of Jesus, on the Cross were centred on Others:

• First Statement to His (Christ’s) Enemies – “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:33-34).
• Second Statement to the Repentant Thief – “Today, you shall be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).
• Third Statement to Mary, the mother of Jesus and to John, His (Christ’s) Disciple – “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, Behold your mother! And from that hour that Disciples took her unto his own home.” (John 19:26-27).

1. Jesus’ Fourth Statement, “My God, My God, why has You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1), was made when the transaction between His Father and Himself (Jesus) took place, in the 3 hours of “deep-darkness that covered the whole earth,” from 12pm (Noon) to 3pm (Matthew 27:45; Amos 8:9) – God the Father laid “the Sin of the Whole Human-Race,” upon His Son (Jesus), and He (the Father) has to turn His Face from our Lord Jesus, and there was a temporarily broken relationship between the Father and the Son, because the Sin of the Whole Human Race was laid upon Jesus –2Corinthians 5:21 “For He (Father) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus).”

2. Last Three Statements – But Jesus’ last three Statements focused on Himself – First, His body – “I thirst” (John 19:28); Second, His Soul: “It is Finished” (John 19:30; Isaiah 53:10); Third, His Spirit – “Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” (Luke 23:46). Christ’s Body, Soul and Spirit – all were offered by our Lord Jesus Christ in Perfect Obedience to His Father (Hebrews 5:8; Philippians 2:6-8).

1.1 Fifth Statement

Jesus’ Fifth Statement on the Cross, is the shortest “I thirst” (John 19:28b, 29) – This was in fulfilment of the Prophecy in Psalm 69:21b:

• Psalm 69:21b “In my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
• John 19:28b-29 “I thirst! Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His (Jesus’s) mouth.”

In the Greek N.T. it is one word of four letters. It is the only Statement in which Jesus referred to His physical need – “I thirst,” – which is part of His physical suffering. Crucifixion is an agonising form of death; as Jesus hung on the Cross, all His physical fluid was drained right out of Him, through His wounds.

Psalm 69 speaks about this when it describes His (Christ’s) Suffering: “Reproach hath broken My heart; I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none” (Psalm 69:20). “My throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for My God” (Psalm 69:3). Psalm 69 sketches the portrait of our Suffering Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.  This simple Statement “I thirst” (John 19:28), reveals to us the heart of the Lord Jesus, and see His love in deeper way, due to His mental, physical, and spiritual sufferings showing forth the three Portraits of Christ:

1. The Obedience Son of God. Jesus submitted Himself, completely to His Father’s Will – Hebrew 5:8 “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” (Philippians 2:6-8).
2. The Suffering Son of Man – His physical torture, under the Romans; His rejection by the Nation of Israel; His torments under the Roman Soldiers, the Jewish Religious Leaders, and the People (Luke 23:35-39; Psalm 22:7-8); abandonment by His Father (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1). When Jesus was on the Cross, He was offered the same narcotic (anaesthesia) that the two thieves were offered. Jesus refused to drink the wine that was mingled with myrrh because He did not want His senses to be stupefied; thus, He experienced the full-level-of-pains – Matthew 27:34 “They gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He has tasted it, He would not drink.” (Mark 15:23).   
3. The Loving Saviour of Sinners (Luke 23:42-43; 2Corinthians 5:21). When Jesus completed that Great Transaction for our Salvation, in the three hours of “Deep-Darkness,” when He cried out: “My God, My God, why has You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1). There were several Cups of Calvary:
   • Cup of Charity – they offered Him wine mingled with myrrh, an opiate to deaden His (Christ’s) pain, but He rejected it (Matthew 27:34; Mark 15:23).
   • The Cup of Mockery – the Soldiers offered Him sour wine, in mockery – Luke 23:36-37 “The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
   • Cup of Sympathy – somebody put some vinegar on a sponge and lifted it to His (Christ’s) dry lips (John 19:29).
   • Cup of Iniquity (Sin), on our behalf – Jesus said in the Garden, “The Cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink of it?” (John 18:11b).
4. Jesus is the “Living-Water,” of God, when we received Him as our Lord and Saviour, our spiritual thirst is fully quenched – John 7:37b-39 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me (Jesus) and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow Rivers of Living Water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”  

1.0 Statement

Jesus’ Fourth Statement of Jesus on the Cross: “My God, My God, why have You Forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1) – The first three Statements that Jesus spoke while hanging on the Cross were:

• First, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jesus Pleaded for forgiveness to those who went against Him. Jesus came to bring God’s forgiveness; so, it is consistent with His (Christ’s) Nature and Teaching.
• Second, He Assured the Repentant Thief: “Today, shalt thou be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). Jesus provides the Way of Salvation, and Reconciliation back to God the Father.
• Third, Jesus Committed Mary, His mother to John, His Disciples: ““Woman, behold thy Son! Then saith He to the Disciple, Behold your mother! And from that hour that Disciples took her unto his own home.” John 19:26-27). The Fifth Commandment of The Law stated that we should honour our father and mother; and Jesus, fulfilled the Law, commended His mother, Mary to His Disciple, John.

But the Fourth Statement of Jesus on the Cross is the Cry of Jesus: “My God, My God, why have You Forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1), was prophesied in Psalm 22:1, given about 1,030 years, earlier, by King David, under the Anointing of God’s Spirit. Some of the People that stood there, when they heard that Jesus, called out “Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?” (Matthew 27:46), thought that Jesus cried out for Elijah; and straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Jesus to drink. The remaining of the People said, “Let be, let us see whether Elisha will come and save Him” (Matthew 27:45-49); failing to understand the cry of Jesus was in fulfilment of the Prophecy of Psalm 22:1.

1.1 The Mystery

The Three Great Mystery of God is wrapped up in Jesus’ Cry on the Cross – Matthew 27:45-49 “Now from the sixth hour (Noon – 12pm) there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour (3pm). And about the ninth hour (3pm), Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ That is to say, ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’ Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This Man called for Elias. And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave Him (Jesus) to drink. The rest said, let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.”   

1.1.1 The Mystery of Fulfilment

“The Three Hours of Darkness Across the Earth, from 12pm {Noon} to 3pm”(Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33) – This was a Supernatural Darkness – this was not an eclipse. This Darkness was not something that people imagined. It was a Supernatural Darkness sent by God the Father.

• Prophesied – The “Three Hours of Darkness Across the Earth,” was prophesied in Amos 8:9 (NKJV) “And it shall come to pass in that day, says the Lord God, ‘That I will make the sun go down at noon (12pm), and I will darken the earth in broad daylight.
• Mourning – The Day of Israel’s Mourning of Crucifixion of God’s Only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ – Amos 8:10 (NKJV) “I will turn your Feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, and baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an Only Son, and its end like a bitter day.”  
• Solemnity – The “Three-Hours of Darkness Across the Earth,” was associated with the Sacrificial Death of God’s Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ – Amos 8:10 (NKJV) “I will turn your Feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; I will bring sackcloth on every waist, and baldness on every head; I will make it like mourning for an Only Son, and its end like a bitter day.”   
• Secrecy – The “Three-Hours of Darkness Across the Earth,” was the “Darkness-of-Secrecy,” – in those “Three Hours of Darkness,” Jesus Christ was accomplishing a Great Work that He alone could accomplish. Jesus was carrying on an Eternal Transaction with His Father – When God the Father placed “the Sins of the Whole Human-Race,” upon Jesus, the Father has to turned His Face away from Jesus, and there was a temporary broken relationship between Him (Jesus) and the Father, that is why He (Christ) cried out: “My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).

1.1.2 The Mystery of Loneliness

The “Mystery of Loneliness” on the Cross, because His (Christ’s) Father, turned His Face from Him (Christ), when He (God the Father) placed the “Sin of the Whole Huma-Race,” upon His Son; there was a temporary broken relationship between Christ and His Father; and He, Jesus, felt forsaken by His Father – “My God, My God, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1).

1.1.3 The Mystery of Blindness

The “Mystery of People’s Blindness,” – There were many People – the Soldiers and others – before the Cross. They heard Jesus’ Cry, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46: Psalm 22:1).

• People’s Blindness – The People were blinded, not knowing that the Scripture of Psalm 22:1, was being fulfilled; they said, “He is calling for Elijah” (Matthew 27:47).
• People’s Sneer – Someone said, “Let’s wait to see if Elijah comes” (Matthew 27:49). Jesus was not calling for Elijah, but was speaking forth the Prophecy of Psalm 22:1-2 “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?….I cry in the daytime, but Thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.”
• People’s Attitude – The People have experienced, “the three hours of Darkness Across the Earth,” in fulfilment of the Prophecy of Amos 8:9, but yet their attitudes were described in the Prophecy given by King David 1,030 years ago in Psalm 22:7-8 “All they that see Me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that He would deliver Him: let Him deliver Him, seeing He delighted in Him.” This was fulfilled in Matthew 27:39-43, 49).
• People’s Action – Psalm 22:18 says: “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture,” was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified – Luke 23:34b “And they divided His garments and cast lots.”

1.2 Summary

The people were blinded to the Fulfilment of the Scripture, blind to the Saving Work of Jesus on the Cross; they said: “Let’s see whether Elijah will come and save Him” (Matthew 27:49). At that hour, the Lord Jesus Christ was made sin for us (2Corinthians 5:21), and when He was made sin, he was forsaken by God the Father (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1). Thus, we have the threefold Mystery of the Cross:

• The Mystery of the “Three Hours of Darkness Across the Earth” (Amos 8:9; Matthew 27:45); the mourning of God’s Only Begotten Son (Amos 8:10; John 1:29, 36).
• The “Mystery of Loneliness,” when “the Sin of the Whole-Human-Race,” was placed upon the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1; 2Corinthians 5:21).
• The “Mystery of Ignorance of the People,” (Psalm 22:7-8; Matthew 27:39-43, 49); the Soldiers cast lots for Jesus’ garment (Psalm 22:18; Luke 23:34b).  

I trust that you are not blinded today, but that, by faith, received the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36), as your Personal Lord and Saviour and be “Born-Again,” by His Word and Spirit (John 3:3-8; 1Peter 1:23; Titus 3:5); be assured that the assurance that Jesus gave to the Repentant Thief on the Cross: “Today, you shall be with Me in Paradise!” (Luke 23:43), is also our assurance from Him (Christ)!

1.0 The Statement

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.”

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.

1.0 Statement

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.