Passion Week – The Week in History that Changed the World (Day 5)

Day 5: Crucifixion and the Death of Jesus
Read: Mt. 27:27-56; Mk. 15:16-41; Lk. 23:26-49; Jn. 19:17-30.

Last Seven Statements of Jesus from the Cross

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
“I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
“Dear woman, here is your son,”
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
“…so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’ ”
Jesus said, “It is finished.”
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Paul said, “Love never fails.” The word fail is used to describe a flower falling to the ground, withered and decayed. It carries the meaning of death and abolishment. However, God’s love will never fall to the ground, wither, and decay. God’s love will never be abolished because it is eternal.

As Jesus gave up His Spirit on the cross, He said, “Teleo” (finished). In Roman world the common trading language was Greek. When a criminal stands during a Roman trial, he is sentenced according to his crime. Then, he is placed in a cell with a paper hanging from the doorpost indicating his crime and his jail sentence. When the jail term is served, he reappears to the court and the Roman official stamps on the paper “Teleo.” As he returns home he is required by law to nail down the paper on his doorpost. Then as he stands front of his house, people or Roman soldiers will question his freedom which he then must point to the paper and say “Teleo.”

When Jesus was nailed down on the cross, they placed above his head the crime he had committed written on it. “The King of the Jews.” However, with His last breath Jesus said, “It is finished,” Accomplished, completed, carried out, fulfilled, PAID.

Here’s what God expects from our newness of life that was paid by the blood of Christ:

“Consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11).
“Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:12).
“Offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness” (Romans 6:19).
“Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires” (Eph. 4:22).
“Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:24).
“Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13:14).

When we put on Christ, we take ourselves out of the realm of the flesh and place ourselves within the dominion of Christ where sin cannot control us. Do not let sin control you. Put on the splendor of Christ and forgive those who offend you. Put on the compassion of Christ and love those who despise you. Put on the armor of light and show mercy and grace. Put on the full armor of God and discard that hidden sin in your life, because sin destroys your confidence and keeps you stuck in your past. Be alive in the resurrection of Christ Jesus!

P. Tae