Summary of passage: Jesus was given a drink of wine before he pronounced, “It is finished” and died.
Questions:
11) His last thought and words of this world is for us, saying his work is finished for us to be with God. Awesome!
12a) His asking for the drink and acceptance of it show it is done. He was at peace and he willingly gave up his spirit when all was done. What we don’t see is God laying upon Jesus’ shoulders our guilt and sins and wrath and Jesus accepting it for us in our place and paying the penalty or consequences of it–death. When this is satisfied, Jesus speaks.
b) The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This is the curtain separating God from His people that only the High Priest was allowed to enter. Now we are all allowed to be with God since the blood of Jesus has cleansed us of our sins. We can enter into a personal relationship with God with no barriers, physical or spiritual before us.
13) Part personal Question. My answer: It means Jesus’ work to die for our sins so we are forgiven, justifying us before God, being righteous, so we can be with God, is finished. It means eternal life and life with the Holy Spirit. It has given me peace and confidence to go forth and do God’s work despite opposition and the world’s ways. God has and will bless me.
Conclusions: Good lesson on the meaning of Jesus’ death.
End Notes: Being thirsty is a real torture and Jesus needed to wet his throat in order to make his last pronouncement. This is not a drugged wine. It’s the wine of those standing around waiting for the crucified to die. It’s the common drink all drank in Ancient Times. Hence, we all thirst for God in our deepest and darkest moments.
This is one word in the ancient Greek (tetelestai), announcing our debt paid and our peace made with God, His wrath against man satisfied. This is a triumphant, victory cry. The power of Satan, sin, and death is overcome.
One word changes everything–the most important word ever spoken in all of history for mankind. It’s like “Yes” to a marriage proposal. “Good-bye” to someone. “Guilty” in a court of law. Nothing can compare.
Bowing his head is Jesus at peace.
Jesus willingly gave up his spirit. No one took it from him.
Jesus’ last week of life takes up 1/3 of the Gospels. All are writing with hindsight and understand his death. Can you imagine how it would read otherwise? At this point, understanding if far, far away. The Son of God die? Impossible! Jesus will live again. The Holy Spirit will come. All will be clear. For now, only John stands by his side. And women. Women who loved him despite any danger to their lives.
Jesus experienced anything we can ever experience: trivial irritations in life, hard work, poverty, pain, fear, rejection, humiliation, defeat, despair, and death. How can we not fall in love with him?
