Encountering Christ at the Crossroads part 3

It is Finished: The Power of Completion (John 19:17-30)

You Tend to feel good when you’ve completed the task. I have this app. It’s a checklist app and I take items that I need to complete during the day. Shopping, errands, whatever it might be, and I just simply tap on it, and then a line goes through it, and it’s gone that makes me feel so good. Maybe you have a similar feeling. if you could check something off for that day. Why do we feel that way? Why does it bring such joy to finish something?

On a scientific level neuroscientist have observed that dopamine is released in the brain when we complete tasks. so we have a good feeling.  but on a theological level we can look at Genesis where God created us in his image. He is a creator, a builder and a planner and so its makes sense that we are as well.

I’m Glad that God is better at keeping to his plans that I am. can you imagine if God had  ADHD. At any moment I’ve got 10 to 15 thoughts going through my brain and I have to grab one and focus to get something done. and if i don’t have a list i will forget what i needed to do. I can’t imagine the king of the universe going ok. now where did i put dave? what was the plan for him today? that would be horrible. I’m so thankful that is not the case.

Have you ever been in a job interview and they ask you the question “where do you see yourself in five years?” and I’m thinking, i don’t know paying bills? We can make plans but God is the ultimate planner. he not only has a 5 year plan but a 1000 year plan a 2000 year plan ect. In fact he used prophets to write down his plans so when they happen we can check them off. Jesus already fulfilled 300 plans about what the messiah would do. I imagine he felt great joy at accomplishing all he has set out to do. , in fact, that’s the subject of today’s message. And it’s what Jesus did when he was on the cross. Let’s read our text.

John 19:17–30 (NLT)
17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.

21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’ ”  22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”  23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This fulfilled the Scripture

that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.  25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.
The Death of Jesus28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

1.What work did Jesus complete on the cross?

1. He defeated the devil & death

Hebrews 2:14
“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.”

We no longer have the fear of death hanging over us. but we have the resurrection awaiting us. When you don’t have fear ruling over you it frees you to focus on what really matters.

Breaking the power of the devil is significant because he is the one keeps us deluded and following this worlds system of thinking. he is a deceiver and a manipulator.  and to be free from his power enables to follow the path of truth,

1. He paid the price for our sins.

Colossians 2:14 – “He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.” (NLT)

Why do we sacrifice? since ancient times as far back as we can go sacrifices have always been part of the human experience. Whether a people group acknowledged the true God of the Bible or not there has always been a sense that we have done wrong and need to atone for those wrongs and humble ourselves before the creator. Sacrifices point us to the need for repentance. but all our sacrifices are temporary. only God could provide the perfect sacrifice.

1. He set us free from the corruption of our soul.

Romans 6:10 – “When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God.” (NLT)

We may still experience temptations but we are not helpless against them. We have the power to choose the right path. We no longer have to walk in lock step with the behaviors, values and beliefs that come so naturally to those who don’t know God. We wake up every morning with a choice to choose righteousness over selfishness and obedience over evil.

To be set free from sin and yet to continue to indulge in sin without any attempt walk in righteousness is like being set free from jail but still wanting to live like a prisoner. Who would want to walk around in prison clothes with cuffs on your hands and chains on your feet. instead we are called to be clothed with righteousness..

 2. When you feel discouraged about your spiritual progress? Remember That God has a plan for your life that he will bring to completion

Philippians 1:6
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Some of us that have been Christians for many years have gotten excited about a ministry and we may start strong but then life happens, troubles come our way. and kind of messes with our motivation. We make plans that don’t seem to be working out the way we pictured. Thank God his plans for us aren’t hindered by anything

the people he brought into our lives at just the right time, the prayers he has answered. and the wisdom he has provided us over the years. God has a plan for each of us. and like the song said. It’s going to be all right.