The Crucifixion: A Day of Darkness and Triumph

The Crucifixion: A Day of Darkness and Triumph

It was a Friday, April 3, A.D. 33, a day that would be remembered as the darkest day in human history. The world was unaware of the significance of the day, but in Jerusalem, an event was unfolding that would change the course of human history forever. It was the day that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, the day that God’s plan of salvation for mankind was fulfilled, the day that marked the triumph of light over darkness, the day that Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

The Significance of the Cross

The cross is the symbol of Christianity, but its significance goes beyond a mere symbol. The cross is the means by which God demonstrated his love for humanity. It was on the cross that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The cross represents the ultimate expression of God’s love, mercy, and grace.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The cross is not just a historical event, it is the way of salvation. It is through the cross that we are reconciled to God, forgiven of our sins, and given eternal life.

The Darkness of the Day

The day of the crucifixion was a day of darkness. It was a day when evil seemed to triumph over good, when the forces of darkness appeared to be victorious. Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, was arrested, tried, and condemned to death. He was beaten, mocked, and scourged. He was forced to carry his own cross to the place of execution, where he was nailed to the cross and left to die.

The darkness of the day was not just physical, it was spiritual. The sin of humanity was on full display as Jesus hung on the cross. The darkness of sin and death seemed to overshadow the light of God’s love and grace. The disciples were scattered, and even Peter, who had promised to never abandon Jesus, denied him three times.

Yet, in the midst of the darkness, there was a glimmer of light. Jesus, in his dying moments, prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Even on the cross, Jesus demonstrated his love and grace. He was not defeated by the darkness, but was triumphing over it.

The Triumph of the Cross

The cross may have appeared to be a defeat, but in reality, it was a triumph. As Jesus hung on the cross, he declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The work of salvation was complete. The debt of sin had been paid in full. The power of sin and death had been overcome. The cross was not just the means of death, but the means of life.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The cross is the ultimate expression of God’s love for humanity. It is through the cross that we are saved, and it is through the cross that we can live in victory over sin and death.

The Significance of “It is Finished”

When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” he was not saying that his life was over, but that his mission was complete. He had come to earth to do the will of the Father, and he had accomplished it. He had fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament, and he had offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

The Greek word for “it is finished” is “tetelestai,” which means “paid in full.” The debt of sin had been paid in full by the death of Jesus on the cross. The price of redemption had been paid, and salvation was now available to all who would believe.

The Application for Today

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is not just a historical event, but it has relevance for us today. It is through the cross that we are saved, and it is through the cross that we can live in victory over sin and death. As we reflect on the significance of the cross, there are several applications that we can make for our lives today.

1. We can find forgiveness

The cross is the means by which we are forgiven of our sins. We are all sinners, and we have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But through the cross, we can find forgiveness. We can be reconciled to God and have our sins washed away.

2. We can find healing

The cross is not just the means of salvation, but it is also the means of healing. Jesus bore our sins and our infirmities on the cross (Isaiah 53:4-5). By his wounds, we are healed. We can find physical, emotional, and spiritual healing through the cross.

3. We can find hope

The cross is the ultimate expression of God’s love and grace. It is through the cross that we can find hope. No matter what we may be facing in life, we can find hope in the cross. We can be assured that God is with us, and that he will never leave us or forsake us.

4. We can find purpose

The cross is not just something that happened to Jesus, but it is something that we can participate in. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). We are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus. We are called to live a life of purpose, to serve God and to love others.

Conclusion

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a day of darkness, but it was also a day of triumph. It was through the cross that God demonstrated his love for humanity. It was through the cross that we are saved, healed, and given hope. As we reflect on the significance of the cross, may we be reminded of the love, mercy, and grace of God. May we take up our cross and follow Jesus, living a life of purpose and meaning. And may we declare with confidence, “It is finished,” knowing that the work of salvation has been completed.