It is finished
The way of the cross • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The way of the Cross
The way of the Cross
Title: The way of the cross pt6
Text: John 19:28-30
D.T. Christ frees us from comparison
Introduction: (John 20:11-18
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Jesus is alive! Happy Resurrection!
This is a joyous day for Christians, and a hated day for satan
Within minutes the experience of the women at the tomb would go from sad, confused, scared, to scared, happy, to happy!
The framework for the resurrection had been laid long before the stone was rolled away.
The framework for the resurrection was established by one word, Tetelestai
It is finished!
For the last several weeks, we’ve been in a series where we examine the 7 words Jesus spoke while on the cross.
Today we examine the 6th word Jesus spoke Luke 23:43-47
And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Tetelestai (It is finished!)
With that one word Jesus brought to a close the entire story of Israel and the Old Testament, the Law and its requirements of us, God’s wrath, the authority of Satan and the reign of sin and death in the world.
With this one word Jesus opens the doorway to a new life, a new creation world where we have been reconciled to God, our sins have vanished, the guilt and
Shame in our past is forgotten, and we can go forward to honor and serve God with everything we have. One word for one brand new world.
The empty tomb of Jesus Christ was the signature which made this statement reign true.
He’s not here, he was risen is the proclamation!
Christ has done what no one else could do, and finished what only he could complete!
So why isn’t the world a reflection of this? Why isn’t the world celebrating the completion of Christ's mission?
We are still a world seemingly held within the grips of anxiety, depression, stress, anger and worry.
Why are we still so depressed when the mission is complete? Why are we so full of anxiety when the tomb is empty? Why don’t we act like it is finished?
Why are we so anxious when the work is done?
Comparing Christ has freed us from sin, but the sinful nature of this world still affects us. One of the biggest ways the sinful world affects us is comparison.
Comparison is something which literally starts at birth. When children are born, they are placed within certain “percentiles” before they even speak a word. They are being pitted against one another in comparison, and it never stops.
Who’s in the higher percentile of wealth? Influence? Legacy? Longevity?
What’s the big deal about comparison? How does comparison contribute to the fact the world is still anxious and angry? How is comparison responsible for the mission feeling incomplete, and the tomb still full?
Comparison creates a need to be the best. Which in turn creates greed. Which in turn creates a misguided emphasis on achievement, which creates misguided ambition.
Eventually comparison leads to idolatry.
We either idolize the idea of needing to stand out from the rest and be the best
Or we idolize ourselves because we believe we reached that pinnacle.
How do we break free from this cycle? We pursue contentment!
Contentment is a foreign word for us — we always want more and more — but to be satisfied with what you have? That feels wrong.But contentment is grace — it’s a life that recognizes that God has provided more than enough for us, and that His goodness is all we really need. We instead allow our hearts to be filled with thankfulness.
The work is done, the mission is complete. “It is finished” Tetelestai!
We don’t need to compare ourselves to anybody
Individuals, families, churches
All made possible because the tomb is empty, all made possible because he lives! My friends, let’s act like it!
