Dr.  Ronald Powell     

Calvary

Do you See What I see?

Introduction:

New Birth/Born Again

Suffice it to be said that today at the birth of every child, there is first the breaking of water and then there is the Blood which follows. After hours of labor the mother will finally with a last triumphant push and enter a rest after the child has been delivered. The child now takes its first breath and becomes a living soul. (Ref. Nicodemus Question)  

Some other things to consider:

Our Proof Text: John 19:

31The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. 33But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: 34But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

35And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. 36For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. 37And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

In such a manner the Blood Bought Church was born at Calvary.

There are several Biblical references to the water, blood and the Spirit, (Pneuma) or Breath of God which gives life. These are types that pointed to The new Covenant and a new birth.

• In the same way that a wife was made from Adam's life, A rib from his Side! Genesis 2:22 (A Piercing Of Jesus side)John 19 :34
• When the priest went into the holy of holies, they sprinkled the blood and washed with Pure water.
• When Mary looked into the tomb, there were two angels, one at the head, and one at the feet Where Jesus had been laid. When you look back at the ark of the covenant, on both ends were two cherubim. Mary walked in and saw heaven's mark. It was the mercy seat of God.

It is around these thoughts we look back at death on the cross today.  

References:

Gen. 2: 21So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man."

The Type of the Bitter Cup:

Vinegar was offered to Jesus Christ, twice, as He was crucified. The first, which He refused, was a mixture of vinegar and a narcotic herb which had pain-killing effects, while the second, which He accepted, was likely the common drink of workers and soldiers known as posca, which was a mixture of vinegar (Sour Red Wine), water and eggs:

The first:

"As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry His cross . And when they came to a place called Golgotha which means the place of a skull, they offered Him wine to drink, mingled with gall; but when He tasted it, He would not drink it. And when they had crucified Him, they divided His garments among them by casting lots; then they sat down and kept watch over Him there." (Matthew 27:32-36 RSV)

The second:

"When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took His garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also His tunic. But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom; so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the Scripture, "They parted My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots." So the soldiers did this."

"But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing near, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home." "After this Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said, to fulfill the Scripture, "I thirst."  

A bowl full of vinegar stood there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop and held it to His mouth. When Jesus had received the vinegar, He said, "It is finished"; and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." (John 19:23-30 RSV)

What Do I see?

I. THE EVERLASTING COVENANT OF GRACE WAS COMPLETELY FULFILLED.

• Heb. 13:20
• Rom. 3:20
• Isa. 9:6

Christ, by Himself, for His people, fulfilled all the conditions of the everlasting covenant of grace. He insured the salvation of all whom He represented, all for whom He lived, obeyed, died, and arose again. He shall not lose even one of them as His righteousness demands their salvation and final glory. He paid their debt in full, and they must receive the benefits of His payment. To say that even one could finally perish is to cast shame and reproach upon His blood and His righteousness. Just as sin demands death, righteousness demands life.  

• Gal. 4:4-5

 II. THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES WERE FULFILLED.

• Genesis 3:15
• Gal. 3:24

All the types and pictures of the Mosaic Law were, in essence, a "schoolmaster to bring [Israel] unto Christ, that [they] might be justified by faith" (Gal. 3:24). Israel's whole history as a nation had no eternal significance except as it was a revelation of God's redemptive glory in Christ and as a preparation for coming of the Messiah to establish righteousness for His people.  

III. THE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD WERE HONORED, MAGNIFIED, AND REVEALED. 

• 2 Cor. 4:6
• Col. 2:9

 (1) THE MAIN ISSUE IN THE SALVATION OF SINNERS IS THE GLORY OF GOD. As we have seen, the reason Christ had to go to the cross was to glorify His Father in the salvation of sinners.
 
(2) THE MAIN ISSUE IN THE GLORY OF GOD IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST, THE ONLY GROUND OF SALVATION. The only way in which God could be glorified as both a just God and a Savior is based upon the righteousness of Christ.
 
(3) THE SUM OF ALL THESE ATTRIBUTES OF GOD IS EXPRESSED IN THE WAY GOD IDENTIFIES HIMSELF AS A JUST GOD AND A SAVIOR, OR AS THE GOD WHO JUSTIFIES THE UNGODLY, AS THE GOD WHO IS BOTH JUST AND JUSTIFIER.   

Consider the following --Closing:

We became a part of the blood-bought Church of the Lord Jesus Christ when we accepted the blood that was spilled on Calvary.

Because of the blood of Jesus-because Jesus became our Substitute upon the Cross at Calvary-we have become joint-heirs with Him.  

And as joint-heirs, we can live free from the chains of sin, sickness, and disease.  

We can enjoy the Presence of God in our lives because Jesus took our sin and iniquity away from us and gave us power through His blood over all the works of the enemy!