The final sacrifice is finished!

© 2016 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Jesus’ work is almost finished. The Roman centurion watches Him die.

Throughout human history, a great “cloud of witnesses” has anticipated God’s promised Messiah (Hebrews 11:1 – 12:2). Jesus is this Messiah. He is the infinitely pure Son of God. Yet, as He hangs on the cross, He bears the sins of His people. And the centurion watches.

Down through the ages, thousands of animal sacrifices have vividly pictured this moment.

The place is Golgotha, “the place of a skull.” Jesus, the Lamb of God, is bearing the full punishment for sins He did not commit.

“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” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

While Jesus suffers this awful punishment, God the Father shrouds the land in darkness and turns His pure eyes away from His beloved Son who has become “sin for us.”

“Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 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?” (Matthew 27:45-46)

The centurion continues watching as Jesus cries out in the midst of His torment saying,

“I thirst” (John 19:28).

Then, after being offered vinegar to drink, Jesus makes His wondrous declaration:

“It is finished” (John 19:30).

The penalty is paid! The centurion watches as God concludes the long prophesied death of Jesus.

“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” (Luke 23:46).

The centurion is filled with fear by the earth shaking events which accompany the Savior’s death.

“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;” (Matthew 27:51).

In great fear and awe the centurion declares,

“Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).

Dear reader: Have you, with repentant heart, asked the Son of God to forgive you and apply His finished work to you?

 

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