TAX TIME – WHO PAYS
John 19:30
30
Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is
finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
I THE PAIN
Few more terrible means of execution could be devised that crucifixion: thirst, torture of insects, exposure to brutal spectators – all certainly interminable.
II THE PROCLAIMATION
Cross-word #6 came near Jesus’ earthly end, proclaimed with some of the final gasps of air from His lungs. Was it:
a. Cry of Anguish [ ]
b. Declaration of Victory [ ]
III THE PAYMENT
Single word – “tetelestai” – it is FINISHED!
Commercial term – Papyri receipts for taxes have been recovered with this word written across them: meaning?
PAID
IN FULL!
What was paid in full?
1. The bill of my SIN and yours! Paid!
·
PERFECTLY
·
Once for all PEOPLE
· Once for all TIME
2. The COVERING atonement means to cover over.
Cross-word #6 meant a complete covering over, cleansing of sin. Animal sacrifices could never PERMANENTLY remove sin. Jesus’ payment did! How do we know that Jesus’ cry “Tetelestai” satisfied God the Father and fully covered mankind’s sin?
* The VEIL
of the
* God RAISED Jesus from the dead
3. The enemy – Tetelestai sealed satan’s ultimate doom. Until this cross-word, the devil strutted around, proud of his grip on helpless and hopeless humanity. Now the devil’s “rendered powerless” since Jesus’ payment of the sin bill can “deliver those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.” (Hebrews 2: 14-15)
IV THE POSSIBILITY of a refund?
1. EVERLASTING life – John 3: 16
2. ENTRANCE into God’s family – John 1:12
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to
become children of God,
even to those who believe in His name
3. EASING of the daily burdens you bear – Matthew 11: 28-30
28
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest.
29
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU
WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is
light."
Psalm
68: 19 – “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens.”
A conversation was overheard at
‘Twas really only one man’s cry – and then it went a way.
“My God, my God” the piercing cry split darkness open wide
“Why have You forsaken Me?” – WHAT EMPTINESS INSIDE!
But oh – the hearer of that cry way up in Heaven above
Was just as filled with agony – and equally alone.
For sin had played its final hand and come between the two.
And satan laughed hysterically – it was a master coup.
Father turns away from Son as Jesus bears our sin
Every sin of every one – at that hour laid on Him.
But even as the Father turned away his holy eye
And even as He heard his blessed Son’s heart-wrenching cry
Another sound came forth that day – a cry of Victory.
This time the word in triumph came. It was – Tetelestai
It Is Finished! And for sin a full atonement has been made
And satan’s wicked laughter ceased. He knew the debt was paid
All sin of every human being was cleansed by Christ’s shed blood
And anyone can plunge themselves beneath that crimson flood.
Anyone can know the joy of pardon – FULL AND FREE
“The only thing” says Jesus “is that you must come to Me.”
“Come and make me Saviour – that’s why I died for you.
I died and rose again so you could have a life brand new!”
Friend, if you’ve not heard that cry – “It is Finished” hear it now,
And come, release your burdens and before your Saviour bow.