THE GOSPEL: Jesus Dies on the Cross; "It is finished!"

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, (Luke 23:44; Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33 NIV) for the sun stopped shining. (Luke 23:45 NIV)

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) [Psalm 22:1] When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” (Matthew 27:46-47; Mark 15:34-35 NIV)

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28 NIV) A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. [Psalm 69:21] (John 19:28-29; Matthew 27:48; Mark 16:36  NIV)

The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” (Matthew 27:49 NIV)  "Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. (Mark 16:36 NIV) When he had received the drink, Jesus said,“It is finished.” (John 19:30) Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46 NIV)

When he had said this, [*And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, *With a loud cry, *With that, he bowed his head and] he breathed his last [*and he gave up his spirit]. (Luke 23:46; *Matthew 27:50; *Mark 15:37; *John 19:30 NIV)

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began." (John 17:1-5 NLT)

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.
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.

I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
    because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
    He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. (Isaiah 53:10-12 NLT)