The words of victory
John 19:25
“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 19:26
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
John 19:27
Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].
John 19:28
After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
John 19:29
Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put [it] upon hyssop, and put [it] to his mouth.
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
At this time of the year our thoughts are turned to the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I think it is good if we also think about some of the reasons why the Lord chose to come to this earth and live as a man.
The reason that we would consider to be most important is our salvation.
John 10:10
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.”
I have had abundant life for more than 36 years and I am more thankful today than I have ever been.
I am entering into my latter years with joy unspeakable and full of joy.
1 Peter 1:8
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
When the Lord Jesus Christ hung on the cross dying for sinners He spoke seven times. I am going to give you those words in order as they were spoken.
Luke 23:34
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
1. He spoke words of forgiveness
The first words uttered by the Saviour show that in spite of the way He has been treated forgiveness is what He wants for those who rejected Him.
Here our Lord shows the compassion and mercy He has for a sinful mankind.
There is absolutely nothing within any of us that would merit the favour of a holy God.
We are destitute, despicable, repulsive, blatant, wicked, vile sinners in need of mercy and forgiveness and that is exactly what is on the mind of the Lord.
His first words uttered speak to our greatest need…F-O-R-G-I-V-E-N-E-S-S.
The Lord Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost and with salvation you get forgiveness.
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Acts 13:38
“Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
Acts 13:39
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
Ephesians 1:7
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
There is no limit placed on the Lord’s forgiveness. You ask for forgiveness and you will get forgiveness.
I know we have the huge controversy about who is saved and who isn’t saved?
And I know that the basis for that argument is the sinfulness of mankind.
Look at the Bible and make your decision based on truth and not on feelings or persuasion from emotions.
If sin causes one to lose their salvation which sin are we talking about and where is the scripture to tell us about this sin?
If sinless perfection is a Biblical truth then where is the scripture to support it?
When I read that 25 years after the conversion of the Apostle Paul God inspires him to write truth about his life I am convinced that sin is a lifetime reality.
Romans 7:15
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
The difference between the Apostle Paul and many of us today is though he still sinned he hated it.
Romans 7:16
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good.
Romans 7:17
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.”
And then after 30 years the Apostle Paul came to a conclusion about the things that he did that he hated.
1 Timothy 1:15
“This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
He not only acknowledged that he was a sinner he confessed to being the chief of sinners.
That is a confession of an honest man and if you think any better of yourself your view is unscriptural.
People do not understand that salvation clears you of guilt and grants forgiveness as you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ but that is a guarantee that Heaven will someday be your home.
That is your standing but your present state living here on earth in a sinful body is a moment by moment changing state.
That is why we must confess our sins and we do that to stay in fellowship with God.
1 John 1:5
“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:6
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:8
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
To say that you have no sin is self deception; it is not a scriptural truth.
Because we are sinners and sins we commit take us out of fellowship with God the next verse was written.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession of sin receives immediate forgiveness and fellowship with God is resumed.
1 John 1:10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
Luke 23:34
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.
Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
2. The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation.
To demonstrate His limitless forgiveness the Lord says to the repentant thief on the cross next to him: “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
2 Corinthians 12:1
“It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 12:2
I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
A search backwards in history above fourteen years ago will take you to Acts chapter 14 and the Apostle Paul was stoned in Lystra and dragged out of the city and left for dead.
2 Corinthians 12:3
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2 Corinthians 12:4
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.”
Obviously the teaching is that paradise and the third heaven are now the same place.
Ephesians 4:7
“But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Ephesians 4:8
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Someone was held captive somewhere until the death of Christ and then He went to them and freed them.
Ephesians 4:9
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
The Lord descended into the lower parts of the earth to free the captives.
Ephesians 4:10
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)”
The thief on the cross was told “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
That is a promise of a trip to the third heaven and that is salvation.
Obviously a thief, a man despised and rejected who is justly dying on the cross for crimes committed can cry out to the Lord and receive mercy.
And once you have cried out to the Lord you have the guarantee that where the Lord is there you will be also.
Luke 23:34
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.
Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him.
John 19:27
“Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”
3. The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.
God does not have a mother but the maid named Mary was used of God to bring Himself into this world as a baby.
At the end of His physical life He demonstrates affection for Mary and gives her to John to care for.
In the same way the Lord has insured that you will be cared for.
Hebrews 13:5
“[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Luke 23:34
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.
Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him.
John 19:27
“Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”
The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.
Matthew 27:46
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
4. The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish
At this time on the cross we enter fully into the atonement and the Lamb is being made to be sin for us.
1 Peter 3:18
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
1 Peter 2:24
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
2 Corinthians 5:21
“For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Acts 2:31
“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.”
Humanly we will never fully understand the cost of sin to our Saviour but we can rejoice that He was victorious.
Revelation 1:18
“[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.
Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him.
John 19:27
“Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”
The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.
Matthew 27:46
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish
John 19:28
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”
5. The fifth time our Lord speaks we hear words of suffering
Our Saviour asked for water on two occasions when He was here the first time.
John 4:7
“There cometh a woman of Samaria
This woman did not give the Lord Jesus water to drink.
John 19:28
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”
On the cross as the Saviour suffered He asked for water.
John 19:29
“Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put [it] upon hyssop, and put [it] to his mouth.”
Instead of water He received vinegar.
But to you and me the Saviour offers living water.
John 4:14
“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.
Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him.
John 19:27
“Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”
The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.
Matthew 27:46
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish
John 19:28
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”
The fifth time our Lord speaks we hear words of suffering
John 19:30
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
6. The sixth time our Lord speaks we hear words of victory
One reason that He came was to save man that was lost.
Luke 19:10
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Man was lost because of His sin and in his sin he was dead.
Man was separated from God and living without hope.
Ephesians 2:12
“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
His atonement was not limited nor was anyone left out.
1 John 2:1
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
1 John 2:2
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.”
The Lord Jesus Christ willingly became sin for us, suffered, died, and rose again by His own power.
John 10:17
“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:18
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
Romans 1:4
“And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”
The gospel message is clear.
1 Corinthians 15:3
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Corinthians 15:4
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”
The words of victory
John 19:30
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
Colossians 2:13
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
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 his cross;
Colossians 2:15
[And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.
Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him.
John 19:27
“Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”
The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.
Matthew 27:46
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish
John 19:28
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”
The fifth time our Lord speaks we hear words of suffering
John 19:30
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
The sixth time our Lord speaks we hear words of victory
Luke 23:46
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
7. The seventh time our Lord speaks we hear words of contentment
The work He came to do is finished and it is time for Him to die.
He spends three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Matthew 12:39
“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Then He rises from the dead.
Matthew 28:6
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
The first words spoken by our Lord while He hangs on the cross in our place are words of forgiveness.
Luke 23:43
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
The second time our Lord speaks He speaks words of salvation and a guarantee of being with Him.
John 19:27
“Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].”
The third time our Lord speaks He shows affection for Mary.
Matthew 27:46
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
The fourth time our Lord speaks we hear words of anguish
John 19:28
“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”
The fifth time our Lord speaks we hear words of suffering
John 19:30
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
The sixth time our Lord speaks we hear words of victory
Luke 23:46
“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
The seventh time our Lord speaks we hear words of contentment
When you celebrate Christmas remember He became a baby so He could win the victory over sin and save your soul.
