John 19:17-30, Matthew 27:45-54, Hebrews 10:19-20
The Centre of All Things
John records Jesus saying, as He approached His death: "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour." (John 12:27). The cross was not the tragic ending of a promising life — it was the purpose for which He came.
The Historical Reality
Crucifixion was the Roman Empire's most extreme form of execution — reserved for slaves, pirates, and the lowest criminals, deliberately designed to be as prolonged, painful, and humiliating as possible. Modern sanitised depictions of the cross bear little resemblance to the reality. The victim was flogged until near death, then nailed through the wrists and feet to the wooden beams, hung in public view until they died of asphyxiation, exposure, or cardiac failure — often over several days.
Jesus was crucified between two criminals at a place called Golgotha ("the place of the skull") outside Jerusalem's walls (John 19:17-18). The entire process, from the flogging to His death, took approximately six hours.
The Seven Last Words
The Gospels preserve seven statements Jesus made from the cross:
- "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
- "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)
- "Woman, behold, your son... Behold, your mother." (John 19:26-27)
- "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46 — quoting Psalm 22:1)
- "I thirst." (John 19:28)
- "It is finished." (John 19:30 — *tetelestai* — a commercial term meaning "paid in full")
- "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." (Luke 23:46)
The Cosmic Signs
Matthew records that at the moment of Jesus' death, "the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51). The curtain that separated the Holy of Holies — the place of God's presence — from the people was torn open. The way to God was now open, through Christ. "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus..." (Hebrews 10:19).
The cry "It is finished" is the turning point of all history. The sin that separated humanity from God has been dealt with. The debt has been paid. The new and living way is open.