Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. John 18: 36a, NKJV
Dear God, as we continue studying your last words, we pray that you will continue to teach us all that is contained therein. Amen
“…He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your Son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ ” (John 19: 26, 27).
My grandmother had a saying, “the same way a man [woman] lives, the same way he [she] dies.” To a great extent, that is true. It certainly was true in the case of Jesus. He lived to take care of the needs of others and He died taking care of our greatest need, that of providing a Savior! But at this particular moment, He makes a break, to take care of His mom. Loving Son! Blessed Savior! He could die in peace, knowing that He was leaving her in the care of one He trusted; one who would love her, and take good care of her.
Whatever Jesus taught, He exemplified. He rebuked the religious leaders for making a law, where, by repeating the word “Corban” (“an offering to the Lord”) children could declare that all of their possessions had been dedicated to the temple, and that would automatically free them from any parental responsibility (Mark 7: 9-13). Relationships are very important to Jesus! He proved that in His dealings with His mother!
“After this, Jesus… said, ‘I thirst” (John 19: 28). His humanity was as real as His divinity. Otherwise, He could not be considered our “faithful high priest.” How could He plead on our behalf, unless He Himself had, “walked in [our] moccasins.” “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4: 16). Nevertheless,when they brought Him vinegar to alleviate the pain, He refused it (Matthew 27: 34). He wanted to have His mind in perfect condition to be able to communicate with the Father.
In Christ’s strength we can overcome any temptation (1 Corinthians 10: 13). We do not have to face anything alone. He is faithful, who has promised, to be with us until the end (Matthew 28: 20).
“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished (John 19: 30)! And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” When Jesus made this declaration, and bowed His head and died, I dare say, He was making the greatest pronouncement of all time. The debt of our sin had been paid in full! Jesus had met the devil on his territory and had gotten the victory over him. The right to the rulership of planet earth, that the devil had claimed when Adam fell, was taken back! The prison doors of sin had been flung wide open; all the prisoners had to do, was believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and walk out of there, completely free! Christ had gained the victory once and for all! Satan’s reign was over! Praise God! Sing oh heavens, and be joyful oh earth, for the Lord Jesus Christ reigns!
We can now live a life of victory in Jesus! “Oh sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory” (Psalm 98: 1)! And He has placed that victory on our behalf. We can claim it, and live it, because Christ paid for it, with His blood! Hallelujah!
“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last” (Luke 23: 46). The Savior is now at rest. Even though He could not see beyond the tomb, He knew that He could trust the goodness, mercy, love, and justice, of the Father. So by faith, He bowed His head, closed His eyes, and surrendered His life, and eternal destiny, into the loving arms of His heavenly Father (The Desire of Ages p. 667).
Even in the twenty-first century, we can do the same. We will have to learn to walk by faith, and not by sight. We may not be able to see beyond certain circumstances, but we can trust that God is faithful, and that He is willing to save us, even more than we are willing to be saved!