Easter Message: The Resurrection and the Unity
Zechariah 4:9 NLT
“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.
I. Background (9a)
Zechariah 4:9 is the message that came to the Prophet Zechariah from the Lord (Zechariah 4:8). Zechariah wrote this around 519 BC. See verse 9a.
“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple,“
Solomon began the construction of the First Temple, approximately in 966 BC, and it took seven years to complete (see 1 Kings 6). The First Temple was destroyed in 587 or 586 BC by the Babylonian forces under King Nebuchadnezzar II (see 2 Kings 25:8-9, 2 Chronicles 36:19-20, Jeremiah 52:12-14). After conquering Babylon in 539 BC, Cyrus, the founder of the first Persian Empire, issued a proclamation permitting Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (538 BC). Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, laid the foundation of the Second Temple in 536 BC (9a).
II. The Resurrection of Jesus and the Unity of the Church (9b)
See v9b.
“and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent Me.”
God revealed that the Second Temple would be completed (9b). This completion is expressed as “setting the final stone of the Temple in place” (Zechariah 4:7), which represents the resurrection of Christ Jesus and the resulting birth of the Church. This event will show us that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent the Lord speaking in verse 9—who came as Christ Jesus.
In John 2:19, when Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” He was referring to His own body as the temple.
Therefore, the completion of the temple mentioned in Zechariah 4:7, 9 can be understood as the resurrection of His body. And this resurrection will make it known to the world that God the Father has sent Him.
Christ Jesus is the Head of the Church, and the Church is His body (Ephesians 1:22-23 NLT, Ephesians 4:15-16 NLT, Ephesians 5:23 NLT, Colossians 1:18 NLT, Romans 12:4-5 NLT). When He was raised—when the ‘temple’ was completed—His Church was born, where all believers are united as one. This unity of believers is clearly expressed in John 17:20-26.
John 17:20-26 is Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and all who will ever believe in Him through His disciples’ message (John 7:20 NLT).
See John 17:20-26 NLT.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
Through the unity of believers, the world will know the Father has sent Jesus.
We learned Jesus’ resurrection gave birth to His Church, which means the unity of believers. Both Jesus’ resurrection and the unity of believers show the world that the Father sent Him (Zechariah 4:9 NLT, John 17:20-26 NLT).
Happy Easter!
Believe and Live: The Gospel of John and the Voice of Zechariah
John 20:30–31 (NKJV)
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
Message
The disciple John wrote this book. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not recorded in this book (30). However, he wrote what he did write to help us believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that by believing, we may have life in His name (31).
John 1:14 declares that the Word became a human being and lived among us (c.f. 1 John 1:1-4). Jesus often affirmed that the Father had sent Him (see John 5:36, 6:38, 8:42, 12:49). The book of Zechariah, one of the prophetic books in the Old Testament, foretold these truths. See Zechariah 2:10-13 NLT.
10 The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. 11 Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you. 12 The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city. 13 Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.”
Jesus said, “It is finished!” just before dying on the cross (John 19:30), indicating the work of redemption for the sins of humanity was complete. This fulfillment was foretold in the book of Zechariah. See Zechariah 3:9 NLT.
…and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.
I share these verses from Zechariah with readers of the book of John to illustrate the Old Testament prophesies and strengthen their faith.
Touching the Wounds, Finding the Truth
John 20:24–29 (NKJV)
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
Christ Appears to the Disciples (Thomas Present)
1 Cor. 15:5
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Message
I. Thomas – Accustomed to Death, Slow to Believe Life
Last week, we studied that Jesus appeared to the disciples in the evening on the day He rose from the dead (John 20:19). At that time, Thomas was absent (24). The other disciples said to him that they had seen the Lord (25a). So, he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (25b)
Thomas is another example that shows how we tend to believe in the power of death and doubt the resurrection (25, John 11:16, 24, 39, John 20:2, 13, 15).
What Thomas said showed he was, in philosophical terms, like an empiricist, who believed that knowledge comes primarily from experience and observation, especially through the senses. Scientists often rely on empirical methods such as observation, experimentation and evidence-based reasoning. How did Jesus help him?
II. Faith Beyond Sight: Embracing Resurrection
See v26-27.
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
Jesus came to His disciples when Thomas was with them and let him see and touch His scars to help him believe. In Jesus, who is the resurrection and life (John 11:25-26), there is no despair and no darkness. How did Thomas respond? See v28.
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus changed Thomas from a believer in the power of death to a believer in the power of resurrection. Through faith in Jesus, all humanity—who once believed in the power of death—can be transformed into believers in the power of resurrection. Jesus included Thomas among His disciples so that people like him could also become true followers of Christ.
See v29.
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
While Jesus helped someone like Thomas, who needed physical evidence, He encouraged faith without seeing, saying, 'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' (29b)
Peace, Holy Spirit, Mission and Authority in the Risen Christ
John 20:19–23 (NKJV)
Christ Appears to the Disciples
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Message
At the predawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene discovered the stone had been taken away from the tomb (John 20:1), and the resurrected Jesus met her and spoke to her (John 20:14-17). She told the disciples this (John 20:18).
On that evening, Jesus came to His disciples (19a). They were afraid of the Jews (19b). Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you.” (19c)
Earlier, Jesus had foreseen that they would be afraid, so He had already given them His peace (John 14:27). Jesus reaffirmed the peace He had already given them in John 14:27.
The disciples saw His scars from the crucifixion and could confirm that the person standing before them was indeed Jesus and that He was resurrected from the dead. So, they were glad (20).
Jesus give them ‘peace’ again and send them to the world, just as the Father has sent Him (21).
Then, He breathed the Holy Spirit on them (22). The Holy Spirit empowers them to be witnesses to Jesus (Acts 1:8). Jesus gave the authority to forgive or retain sins of any (23).
Mary Magdalene: The First Witness of the Risen Christ
John 20:11–18 (NKJV)
Christ Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
Message
I. Mary’s Grief and the Empty Tomb (11-13)
It was Mary Magdalene who first discovered Jesus’ tomb to be empty (John 20:1-2). Peter and John heard of it, came and saw the tomb empty, but they went back home. However, Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping (1a). She saw two angels in white inside the tomb (12). The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (13a) What was her answer? See verse 13b.
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
She thought some people had taken away Jesus’ dead body. She did not even consider the possibility that Jesus had risen and walked out of the tomb.
We are used to thinking that death is the end. Our hearts are negative and darkened by the power and finality of death. When Jesus took His disciple with Him to raise the four-day-dead Lazarus in John 11, Thomas, one of His disciples thought they were going to die to see Lazarus in the realm of the dead (John 11:16). When Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again.”, Martha didn’t expect that Lazarus would rise now but at the last day (John 11:23-24). When Jesus wept because He was saddened by their unbelief in the resurrection and their belief in death, they mistakenly thought He was grieving over Lazarus’s death (John 11:35-37). When Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”, Martha advised Him of the stench from the four-day-dead body of Lazarus, reminding Him of ‘being too late’ due to her faith in the power of death (John 11:39).
Thanks to Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life, we are no longer bound by such negativity and darkness.
II. The Risen Jesus Appears to Mary (14-16)
Her belief in death was so strong that she couldn’t even recognise the risen Jesus when she saw Him alive—until He called her name (14-16)!
III. Jesus' Instruction and the New Relationship with God (17)
See verse 17.
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”
Here, ‘My Father and your Father’ and ‘My God and your God’ reveal that the barrier between God and humans was removed through Jesus’ redemption on the cross (Matthew 27:50-51, Mark 15:37-38, Luke 23:45-46). From this point on, as Jesus promised in John 16:23, they could pray to the Father directly in the name of Jesus.
IV. Mary as the First Witness and Messenger of the Resurrection (18)
Jesus had delivered Mary Magdalene from seven demons (Luke 8:2). She thanked and loved Him because of His forgiveness and salvation (Luke 7:41-48). Verse 11 also reflects this. Jesus not only forgave and saved her but also honoured her gratitude, love, and faith in Him by blessing her as the first to see the risen Jesus (14-16) and proclaim His resurrection to the disciples (18).
The Resurrection of Christ
John 20:1–10 (NKJV)
The Resurrection of Christ
Matt. 28:1–8; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12
20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
Message
I. The Empty Tomb Witnessed by Mary, Peter, and John (1-8)
1.1 The Stone taken away
According to Jewish custom, a new day begins at sunset, around 6 PM. Jesus was buried before 6 PM on Friday. Saturday was the Passover Sabbath. The first day of the week was Sunday, and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb, while it was still dark (1a). ‘while it was still dark’ shows that the time was before the sunrise, likely between 3 AM and 6 AM. She saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb (1b). Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” (2)
1.2 The Linen Cloths and folded handkerchief
Peter and John ran to the tomb (3). John came to the tomb first, stooped down, looked in and saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in (4, 5). Then, Peter came and entered the tomb first. Peter saw the linen cloths lying there (6), and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself (7).
After this, John also entered the tomb, and he saw and believed (8).
II. Understanding the Resurrection Through Scripture (9-10)
As yet, they didn’t know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead (9). But, the resurrection of Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament. Also, Jesus foretold His resurrection many times during His ministry.
2.1 Old Testament Prophecies of Resurrection
Psalm 16:10 NLT
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Peter quoted Psalm 16:10 when he preached to them about the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:31).
Isaiah 53:10-11 NLT
10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
2.2 Jesus Foretells His Resurrection
Jesus foretold His resurrection in Matthew 12:39-40, 16:21, 17:9, 17:22-23, 20:18-19, 26:31-32, Mark 8:31, 9:9-10, 9:31-32, 10:32-34, 14:27-28, Luke 9:22, 11:29-30, 18:31-33, John 2:19-22, 10:17-18, 11:25-26, 12:23-24, 14:19, and John 16:16.
2.3 Post-Resurrection Enlightenment
After the resurrection, Jesus taught His two disciples about His resurrection in Luke 24:25-27.
Then, they returned to their own homes (10).
The Burial of Jesus: Actions of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
John 19:38–42 (NKJV)
The Burial of Christ
Matt. 27:57–60; Mark 15:42–46; Luke 23:50–54
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.
Message
Joseph was a rich man from Arimathea (38, Matthew 27:57). He was a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders) (John 19:38 NLT, Matthew 27:57). He was a good and upright man (Luke 23:50). He was a prominent member of the high council (Mark 15:43 NLT, Luke 23:50) but, he had not consented to their decision and action (Luke 23:51). The high council was called the Great Sanhedrin. It was the highest religious and legal authority, comprising 71 members. He was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come (Mark 15:43 NLT, Luke 23:51 NLT).
He went boldly to Pilate (Luke 15:43) and asked him that he might take away the body of Jesus and Pilate gave him permission (38). So, he came and took the body of Jesus (38).
Nicodemus was with him. Nicodemus earlier had visited Jesus at night (John 3:1-2). He brought a large amount of mixture of myrrh and aloes (39). Following Jewish burial customs, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth (John 19:40 NLT). The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before (John 19:41 NLT). Joseph had cut out of the rock to make this tomb (Matthew 27:60). And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there (John 19:42 NLT).
Jesus, the Passover Lamb: Fulfillment of Scripture in His Death
John 19:31–37 (NKJV)
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
Message
The Preparation Day (31a) is the day before the Sabbath. On this day, people prepared for the Sabbath so they would not have to work on the Sabbath. They cooked food in advance so they could eat meals without cooking on the Sabbath.
Also, this day was the Preparation Day for the Passover Festival because the following day was both the Passover and the Sabbath at the same time. The Preparation Day was the 14th day of the first month, called Nisan, in the Hebrew religious calendar. On the evening of Preparation Day, the Passover lambs were slaughtered in preparation for the Passover (Exodus 12:6).
John the Baptist saw Jesus and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NKJV) Jesus is the Passover Lamb whose blood saves us from the judgment of God just as God passed over the Israelites and spared them from judgment because of the blood as written in Exodus 12:12-13.
Jesus died on the cross on the Preparation Day of the Passover just as the Passover lambs were slaughtered on that day. Jesus is our Passover lamb who saves us from God’s judgment.
The bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day) (31b). See Deuteronomy 21:22 NKJV.
22 “If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, 23 his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God.
According to Deuteronomy 21:22-23 NKJV, a body hung on a tree should not remain there overnight but must be buried that same day; otherwise, the land will be defiled.
So, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away (31c). Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him (32). But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs (33). But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out (34). The disciple John witnessed the event himself (35).
These things (33-35) were the fulfilment of the Scripture (37a):
- “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” (37b) This is written in Exodus 12:46 NKJV, Numbers 9:12 NKJV, and Psalm 34:20 NKJV.
- Exodus 12:46 (NKJV)
46 In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones.
- Numbers 9:12 (NKJV)
12 They shall leave none of it until morning, nor break one of its bones. According to all the ordinances of the Passover they shall keep it.
- Psalm 34:20 (NKJV)
20 He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
- Exodus 12:46 (NKJV)
- “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.” (38) This is written in Psalm 22:16-17 NKJV, Zechariah 12:10 NKJV, and Revelation 1:7 NKJV.
- Psalm 22:16–17 (NKJV)
16 For dogs have surrounded Me;
The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet;
17 I can count all My bones.
They look and stare at Me. - Zechariah 12:10 (NKJV)
10 “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
- Revelation 1:7 (NKJV)
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
- Psalm 22:16–17 (NKJV)
Jesus’ Care, Thirst, and Completion on the Cross
John 19:25–30 (NKJV)
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Message
I. Behold Your Son: Jesus’ Care (25-27)
See v25.
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
By the cross of Jesus stood three or four people. They are His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Here, His mother’s sister and Mary the wife of Clopas could be the same person. See v26.
26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”
On the cross, Jesus must have been in excruciating pain. However, when He saw His mother, He took care of her. He gave His mother the disciple whom He loved standing by as her son.
See v27.
27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.
Then, Jesus entrusted the disciple with the care of His mother.
II. I Thirst: Fulfillment of Prophecy (28-30a)
See v28-30a.
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30a So when Jesus had received the sour wine,
Jesus knew that all things were now accomplished; That is, He sacrificed on the cross, redeemed our sins, and restored our relationship with God. His mission on the cross was completed. Then, Jesus said, “I thirst!” (28) to fulfill Psalm 22:15 NKJV and Psalm 69:21 NKJV.
15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd,
And My tongue clings to My jaws;
You have brought Me to the dust of death.
21 They also gave me gall for my food,
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
This also demonstrates His humanity. John 4:7 also shows Jesus as a human who thirsted.
We find that Jesus took food only after accomplishing all things first. When His disciples urged Him to eat (John 4:31), Jesus said in John 4:32-33 NKJV,
“I have food to eat of which you do not know. My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work.”
We can observe a similar example with the servant of Abraham in Genesis 24:33 NKJV.
33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.”
Also, Jesus taught a similar priority in Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV.
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Similarly, another example is as follows. In the wilderness, Jesus was fasting to prepare for His public mission (Matthew 4:1-2). Then, the devil tempted Jesus when He was hungry (Matthew 4:3). Jesus answered in Matthew 4:4 NKJV,
“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
III. It Is Finished: The Sacrificial Completion of Christ’s Mission (30b)
See v30b.
30b He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
After fulfilling the food-related prophecy in the end (30a), Jesus said, “It is finished!”, indicating that His mission on the cross was completed.
The Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus’ Crucifixion and Psalm 22
John 19:23–24 (NKJV)
23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. 24 They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says:
“They divided My garments among them,
And for My clothing they cast lots.”
Therefore the soldiers did these things.
Message
They had crucified Jesus (23, John 19:17-18). Then, the soldiers took Jesus’ garments, including the outer cloak, sandals, and belt, divided them into four parts, and distributed them among themselves (23). As for the undergarment (the seamless tunic), they didn’t tear it but cast lots to determine who would receive it (24). This fulfilled the prophecy written in Psalm 22:18 NKJV.
Psalm 22 starts with:
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psalm 22:1 NKJV)
Jesus spoke these words on the cross, as recorded in Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34 and Luke 23:34.
Psalm 22:6-8 NKJV also described how people mocked Jesus while He was on the cross:
6 But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
7 All those who see Me ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8 “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
This event is recorded in Matthew 27:39-44, Mark 15:29-32 and Luke 23:35-39.
Psalm 22:16 NKJV foretold the piercing of Messiah’s hands and feet:
“…They pierced My hands and My feet;”
Psalm 22 was written between 1011 B.C. and 970 B.C., but it was fulfilled in 33 A.D. when Jesus was crucified.
God’s unique ability to foretell the distant future with perfect accuracy sets Him apart from all creation, proving His sovereignty over time, history and all things. Isaiah 46:9-10 NKJV declares:
9 Remember the things I have done in the past.
For I alone am God!
I am God, and there is none like me.
10 Only I can tell you the future
before it even happens.
Everything I plan will come to pass,
for I do whatever I wish.
Amen. Praise God. Everything He foretells comes true.
