The triumph of Calvary

 Adoration by faithful women

23-24)  “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part, and also His coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.  They said therefore among themselves, let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture did they cast lots.  These things therefore the soldiers did.”

Here we learn that four soldiers were allocated to each crucifixion, ensuring the desired outcome.  We also learn it was the practice that they dispose of the clothing as they wished.  This was the ultimate dishonour, and it is stated as a fulfilment of scripture-Psalm 22v18.  The detail of the crucifixion was written around 1000B.C. long before crucifixion was invented!  This is awesome foreknowledge.  Interesting these soldiers who effected this brutal death, were concerned for a piece of material not to spoil it.  The irony of this is breathtaking-they could destroy human life, but preserve a garment!  The whole thing was a fulfilment, and the united atrocity by men of different ranks, was unwittingly fulfilling scripture.  This is a major theme in this gospel-13v18, 17v12, 19v24, 19v28, 19v36.  The vicious and heartless acts of men were predicted with absolute accuracy.  No one but God could have orchestrated this, that down to the last small detail the scriptures were exonerated.  Scholars have estimated there are about 2500 specific prophecies in the bible, about 2000 0f which have already been fulfilled.  In the last week of His life no less than 25 predictions were enacted precisely as they had been given.  In this book which I have entitled “That you might believe”, this underlines the credibility and credit-worthiness of Jesus and the word of God.  We can be sure that the 500 or so prophecies yet to happen will also be fulfilled.  This book is credible, Jesus is credible, it is worthy of our acceptance.

25-27)  “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son; then said He to the disciple, behold thy mother.  And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”

In the midst of treachery and atrocity, we have unwavering loyalty from the women, who, in the face of public condemnation, took their stand with Jesus-they stood by the cross of Jesus.  They identified themselves with Him in His shame and suffering, they publicly declared their loyalty, not fearing the ire of their countrymen or the brutal might of Rome.  This is in contrast to Judas, who stood with those who arrested Jesus-Chapter 18v5; contrasted also with Peter who stood apart warming himself with the protagonists-chapter 18v16 and 25.  In the narrative of the crucifixion, and all around it, the women are depicted to be the most spiritual and the most loyal.  Four women are mentioned; His mother, His mother’s sister, who was Salome the mother of James and John, Mary the wife of Cleopas (Luke 24v18), and Mary Magdalene.  There were four soldiers assigned to His punishment, and there were four women who stood with Jesus.  In an act of defiance and disgust, in contrast to the four soldiers, these were the four soldiers of Christ who stood resolute in the face of indecent treachery.  Silent in their stand, they are highlighted forever in scripture, as those who stood with Him in His hours of deepest woe.  During the depths of suffering at the hands of cruel men, these women stood firm.  For His part, Jesus, as He bore the agony of crucifixion, had the presence of mind to cater for His widowed mother, whose soul was pierced by her son’s agony, by arranging for her keep while He was gone, and He asked John to take His mother home.  He probably did this to spare the women the sorrow of the hours of darkness, during which God made Him a sacrifice for sin.  John omits the darkness, possibly because he had left with the women to prepare a lodging for Jesus’ mother.  He omits it also for he is focused on the accomplishments of the cross rather than the agony, which we see perfectly illustrated in the next verses.

28-30)  “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 ghost”

We have just witnessed the remarkable devotion of the women; now we see the unparalleled devotion of Christ to the Father.  The narrative begins, “Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished”-that is the work of redemption was complete; the demands of Deity were satisfied; mankind can now be reconciled to God.  Every stroke that was necessary to enable God to save men and women had now fallen.  Divine righteousness had been established; full payment for human sin had been made.  Was this enough? No, not for Jesus, there was another matter that needed to be done.  There was one solitary scripture as yet unfulfilled, and He would not rest until it was done.  It was the prediction of Psalm 22v15 and 69v21.  Previously, He had rejected the pain-numbing liquid that was used to reduce the pain threshold and prolong the punishment-Matthew 27v34 and Mark 15v23.  Now, some hours later, He calls for drink for two reasons-a) His mouth was so parched, He could not have cried the victorious cry; and b) the last scripture concerning His death must be fulfilled.  Having satisfied on the cross the demands of Deity, He must fulfil every scripture for this was the will of God.  In deep suffering and agony, having survived the trauma of Calvary, He was so dedicated to the Father, He would not proclaim “finished” until the scriptures were fulfilled. 

When this was done, He uttered with a loud voice, the triumphant cry “FINISHED!”-teleo, whose expanded Greek translation was in common use in everyday life; so that all would understand the powerful proclamation, e’er He dismissed His spirit.  He did not die, He laid down His life by commanding His human spirit to depart.  The word comes from the sport of archery, and refers to the arrow hitting the bullseye.  In John 13v1, it is used to describe Jesus’ love for His own, “He loved them to the end”-to the uttermost.  Tetalestai was in common use as follows:

·      In business and commerce, for the completion of a transaction-PAID IN FULL

·      In the ARTS, to denote the finishing touches to a masterpiece, whether of a painting or a statue.

·      In the military, following a war effort, the proclamation- MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

·      In the judiciary, the declaration by the presiding judge that a prison tariff had been completed.

·      In Religion, on the Day of Atonement the declaration by the High Priest that the nation was free from Divine judgment for another year.

·      In religious protocol, when a worshipper was debarred from the temple through illness or transgression, the priest on inspection pronounced they were clean, and able to participate once again.

The significance of this, therefore, is profound and far reaching, and is expounded in the New Testament, particularly in the letter to Hebrews.  The concepts of ransom, remission, regeneration, redemption, reconciliation, sanctification, glorification-all of which are a direct result of the completed work of Christ, are endemic in scripture, and must be fully understood to be a possibility for everyone, only by faith in His word.  This glorious declaration from His own lips on the cross, proclaims to all who believe, a perfect work done which needs no embellishment, and which is decisive for our salvation.  When a bill is paid in full, there is no more to be paid; when a masterpiece is complete it needs nothing to be added; when a mission is fully accomplished there is no more conflict, etc. etc.  The cross of Christ was not a tragedy, it was a Divine triumph, that has secured for mankind a perfect salvation.