THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS THE CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, ‘It is finished.’  And He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.”  John 19:30 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the events related to the trial of Jesus by Pilate, the crucifixion of Jesus, and the words which He spoke while He was on the cross.  After His “trial” by Pilate, (John 18:29-40)  Jesus was scourged, beaten, and had a crown of thorns placed on His head. (John 19:1-3)  Then Pilate again went before the people and said that he found no fault in Him, but the people said, “Crucify Him.” (John 19:4-16)  They made Him carry His cross to Golgotha, they nailed His hands and feet to the cross, they raised His cross up, and placed Him between two thieves. (John 19:17-19)  He spoke seven times while hanging on the cross before He died. (First He said, Father forgive them, Luke 23:34; Second He pardoned the thief on the cross next to Him, Luke 23:43; Third He told the Apostle John to take care of His mother, John 19:26-27; Fourth He said, Father God, why have You forsaken Me, Matthew 27:46;  Fifth He said, “I thirst.” John 19:28; Sixth He said, “It is finished.” John 19:30; and Seventh He said, Father into Your hands I commend My spirit. Luke 23:46)  Jesus suffered and He died, but they did not kill Him; He willingly gave up His life.  Although He died on the cross and was buried in a borrowed tomb, He defeated death and three days later He rose from the dead. (Matthew 28:5-6)

 

APPLICATION

When Jesus, The Christ, said, “It is finished” He was referring to the redemptive work which He was assigned to do as payment for our sins. (John 17:4)  He had also fulfilled the prophecies which were written in the Old Testament regarding His death. (Genesis 22:18 and Isaiah 53:1-12)  As it was written, His skin was scarred and lacerated from the scourging, His forehead was pierced from the thorns, but none of His bones were broken. (Psalm 34:20 and John 19:33)  They pierced Him in the side. (Zechariah 12:10 and John 19:34)  The crucifixion did not kill Him.  He willingly gave up His life as the sacrificial lamb, dying for the sins of the world. (John 1:29 and John 15:13-14)  He who was without sin, took on the sins of mankind to redeem us and give us a chance at salvation.  However, in order to benefit from His redemptive work, we must believe in Him and His death, burial, and resurrection. (John 3:16, Romans 5:8 and 10:9)

 

THERE IS POWER IN THE WORDS OF CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“Judas then, having received a band of men and from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.  Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come upon Him, went forth, and said unto them, ‘Whom seek ye?’  They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’  Jesus saith unto them, ‘I am He.’  And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them.  As soon then as He had said unto them, ‘I am He,’ they went backward, and fell to the ground.”  John 18:3-6 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the events which occurred in the garden of Gethsemane by the brook of Cedron.  It documents His betrayal by Judas, His arrest, His trials, and the three times that Peter denied knowing Him.  Here, Jesus responds to the soldiers and the religious leaders who had come to arrest Him.  Jesus approached them and asked them who they were looking for, and they responded, “Jesus of Nazareth.”  When Jesus replied, “I am He,” they were all knocked backwards by His words and fell to the ground. (John 18:1-6)  They were not harmed and got up, then He asked them again who they were looking for, and they gave the same reply.  Then Jesus said to them, “I told you that I am He.  If you are looking for Me, then let these men go.” (John 18:7-9)  Peter drew his sword and cut off the right ear of a servant of the high priest.  Jesus told him to put away his sword, then He touched the man and healed his ear. (John 18:10-11 and Luke 22:50-51)  They arrested Jesus and led Him away, first to Annas, then to Caiaphas the high priest, (John 18:12-14) and then to Pilate at the judgment hall but Pilate could find no fault with Him. (John 18:28-38)

 

APPLICATION

There is power in the words of God.  When Jesus, The Christ, spoke and said, “I am He,” all those who were against Him were knocked backwards and fell to the ground.  However, because of their disbelief, their hard hearts were not changed, and they got up and arrested Him.  Non-believers are not changed by acts of God.  They frequently come up with some earthly reason to explain the occurrence of a miracle and continue in their non-believing sinful ways.  They do not give God credit for the things that He has done.  As believers, we need to acknowledge the presence of God in our lives (Proverbs 3:6) and give Him praise for the things which He had done. (Psalm 126:3, Isaiah 25:1, and 1 Chronicles 17:19)

JESUS PRAYED FOR ALL BELIEVERS

PROCLAMATION

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word;  That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.”  John 17:20-21 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the words of the prayer which Jesus prayed for His disciples and for all future believers. (John 17:1-26)  As Jesus neared the end of His earthly ministry, He prayed to His heavenly Father and said that He had glorified Him and had finished the work that He had been given to do. (John 17:1-5)  Jesus also prayed for His disciples (John 17:6-19) and He made it clear that He was not praying for all of the people in the world. (John 17:9-10)  Jesus stated that He was not just praying for His disciples alone, but also for all of the people who would hear their message and believe in Him. (John 17:20-23)  He also prayed that they would be with Him where He was going to be. (John 17:24)

 

APPLICATION

Once we became a believer, this prayer that Jesus prayed also applied to us.  He prayed that God, The Father, would keep us safe and protected from the evil one. (John 17:15)  He also prayed that The Father would love us as He loved Jesus Himself. (John 17:26)  It is also important to note that He prayed that there would be unity among the believers, and that we would be as one, the unity of the church. (John 17:21)  When we bicker with other believers, the less likely it is that the world will see Christ in us.  We need to show more love towards our fellow believers.  Three times Jesus repeated the command for us to love one another. (John 13:34, 15:12, and 15:17)  Jesus prayed for us because He knew that we would need God’s help to make it in this world.  He also knew that the devil would attack us as we attempted to walk His way and do that which He had commanded.  For that reason we need to pray for ourselves and for each other, asking for God’s help that we might be more loving towards one another as we do the kingdom building work here on earth.

 

 

THE PEACE THAT COMES FROM CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace.  In this world ye shall have tribulation;  But be of good cheer;  I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the words which Jesus spoke to His disciples to explain why He was leaving them and what it would mean for them.  Jesus said that they will be put out of the synagogues, and people will kill them and think that they are doing a service to God. (John 16:1-3)  He said that He was telling them these thing so that when they happen, they would remember what He said.  Then He told them that He was going away, and that it was expedient that He go.  Jesus said that after He left them, The Holy Spirit would come and guide them into all truth, (John 16:4-13) teach them, and increase their understanding.  What The Spirit will reveal to them would not be anything new, He will help them recall and understand the things which Christ spoke to them. (John 14:26 and 16:14-15)  Jesus told them that He would leave them, and they would lament and be sorrowful for a while, but their grief would soon turn to joy. (John 16:19-22)  He also told them that they would be scattered.  Then He told them that He was telling them these things so that they would have peace during the trouble they would face. (John 16:31-33)

 

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, left heaven and came to earth to die.  He did not come here to stay; He had to leave and return to heaven.  His death and resurrection was necessary in order to pay for our sins and for our salvation.  Additionally, while He was wrapped in human flesh, He could only be in one place at a time, but His Holy Spirit could be everywhere all at the same time.  The Holy Spirit can guide us and teach us, each one of us as we need it, all at the same time.  We know that The Holy Spirit is working within us when we are glorifying God.  However, The Holy Spirit of God only dwells within those of us who believe in Jesus, The Christ, and who have accepted Him as our personal savior. (John 14:17, Romans 8:11, 1 John 3:24 and 4:13)  While we are in this troubled world, believers will have His perfect peace as long as our mind is on Him. (Isaiah 26:3)  We should not worry about the things of this world because Christ has already overcome the world. (John 16:33)

 

 

CHRIST IS THE VINE AND WE ARE THE BRANCHES

PROCLAMATION

“Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.  I am the vine; ye are the branches;  He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing.”  John 15:4-5 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter, John records the words which Jesus used to describe His relationship to His disciples and to His heavenly Father.  He describes Himself as the vine, God, The Father, as the gardener, and His disciples as the branches of the vine which occasionally need to be pruned. (John 15:1-2)  He tells them that as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own, so they cannot bear fruit unless they are connected to Him. (John 15:4-6)  Jesus also talks to them about effectual prayer and getting whatever they ask for, as long as they remain in Him.  He wants them to be productive and bear fruit for the glory of God, The Father. (John 15:7-8)  Jesus says that if they love Him they will keep His commandments as He has kept the commandments of God, The Father. (John 15:9-11)  Then He gives them a new commandment, that they should love one another as He has loved them.  Jesus says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” (John 15:12-14)  He tells them that they did not choose Him, but He chose them.  Jesus also tells them that the world will hate them because it hates Him (John 15:16-19) and then He goes on to explain why this is the case. (John 15:20-27) 

APPLICATION

There is some debate among the Bible scholars as to the meaning of the word “fruit” as it is used here.  Some think that it refers to soul-winning.  Others think that it refers to producing the fruit of The Holy Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)  In either case, our bearing of fruit is the result of our salvation.  If we stay connected to Christ, then we will bear fruit.  The fruit that we bear will glorify God and show that we are disciples of Christ. (John 15:8)  If we are not connected to Christ, we will not bear fruit.  If you are not connected to Him, get connected.  If you are connected to Him, stay connected.  For without Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5)  It is only through Christ that we live, move, and have our very being. (Acts 17:28)

JESUS THE CHRIST IS THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE

PROCLAMATION

“Thomas saith unto Him, ‘Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?’  Jesus saith unto him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life;  No man cometh unto The Father, but by Me.’ ”  John 14:5-6 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter John records what Jesus said to comfort His disciples after telling them that He was going away. (John 14:1-31)  Jesus said that He was going to prepare a place for them so that they could be with Him. (John 14:2-3)  Then He said, “You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:4 NIV)  It was this statement which prompted Thomas to ask his question, and the reply which Jesus gave him. (John 14:5-6)  Jesus later tells them that He will ask The Father to send The Holy Spirit to abide with them. (John 14:16-18)  The Holy Spirit will teach them and remind them of all of the things that He had said to them. (John 14:23-26)  Jesus also tells them that He is leaving but that He will be coming back. (John 14:27-28)

 

APPLICATION

When Jesus, The Christ, said, “I am the way …” He was not merely referring to Himself as the leader, or one who points out the right direction to them.  He was not pointing to His doctrine of salvation, but He was pointing to belief in Himself as the way to salvation.  Not only is what He says true, but He is truth itself.  He is also the giver of life, natural life, physical life, spiritual life, and eternal life.  The only way that we can get to God, The Father, and to the kingdom of heaven is through our belief in Jesus, The Christ, The Son of God. (John 3:16)  For God, The Father, The Word, and The Holy Spirit are one. (1 John 5:7)  The Word is Christ Jesus who became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)  Belief in Christ is the only way to salvation.

 

 

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

PROCLAMATION

“A new commandment I give unto you, ‘That ye love one another;’  As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.”  John 13:34-35 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to the Apostle John and were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this chapter John records the events surrounding the last meal that Jesus had with His disciples before His crucifixion.  John describes Jesus washing their feet, (John 13:4-12) His explanation for doing it, (John 13:12-20) He identifies His betrayer, (John 13:21-27) and He gives them a new commandment, telling them to love one another as He has loved them. (John 13:34-35)  Jesus tells them that He will leave them and they cannot follow Him.  Peter asked Him why they can’t follow Him, and says that he would lay down his life for Him.  Then Jesus tells him that he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows. (John 13:36-38)

 

APPLICATION

As Christians we believe in the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ.  We also know that we are to share the gospel of Christ with others.  However, in order for us to effectively spread The Word of God, we must also live it.  Our behavior must be consistent with our words.  Worldly people will know that we belong to Christ if we demonstrate our love for one another.  To them our actions will speak much louder than our words.  If we do not act in a Christ-like manner, we may turn people away from becoming a Christian.  Not only are we to love those who love us, we are to love all believers.  We should be very careful regarding how we treat our Christian brothers and sisters.  Our bad behavior towards one another weakens the church and ruins our effectiveness in promoting the gospel and saving the lost.  The unsaved people of the world will judge us, and all Christians, by what they see in us, and by how we treat each other.  Therefore, let us love one another.