When you hear the words mission accomplished we usually think of a specific task having been completed. For instance; in 2002 when the little league team from Valley Sports went to Williamsport Pa. to compete in the World Series…they had a monumental task in front of them. Mission accomplished

Many of you hope that the Louisville Cardinals will be able to say mission accomplished on April 6 in Detroit at the NCAA finals. At this point in John’s gospel—we find Jesus headed to Golgotha…the place of the Skull (v17). This is His mission. This is the task given to Him by His Father.

Remember what Jesus said back in 12:27, “Now My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” His task. Matthew 20:28 says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” His mission.

As we look at our Scripture passage this morning—perhaps one would think those who witnessed the crucifixion probably felt Jesus had fell victim to a conspiracy…but I believe that John will reveal for us that He was victorious. Let me ask you today—do you see Jesus as a victim or victorious? To help answer the question—I believe we need to take a close look at what John is telling us here in this passage. The reason why is because John is a writer that is very good at telling a story within the story.

Notice what he does in this passage. At first glance what we learn is simple. Jesus is taken by soldiers to Golgotha, hung on a cross with two other men, His mother and some close friends are there, and then He dies. But—I believe if we look very closely at what he actually says…we’ll see the rest of the story. Notice if you will in verses 17-30 the rest of the story has 4 parts.

1. The Scriptures are fulfilled.

We’ve mentioned many times in our study through the gospel of John his stated purpose for writing the book. “These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name” (20:31). If Jesus really is the Christ of God—there should be some Scripture confirming it. Notice if you will—John provides some parallels and prophetic writing to help tell the rest of the story.  

In verse 17 John says Jesus is turned over to the soldiers and taken to Golgotha with the cross on His back. Jesus told His disciples one day on the way to Jerusalem that He would be betrayed, handed over to the Gentiles and crucified (Mat. 20:17-19). Carrying His own cross is a parallelism to Genesis 22:6ff where Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice.

In verse 18 we’re told that Jesus was crucified with two others. Isaiah 53:12 says the suffering servant of God will be numbered with the transgressors. In verses 23-24 we see the soldiers casting lots for Jesus clothing and that is a fulfillment of Psalm 22:18…not a coincidence.

Folks—when John wrote this gospel several years after the crucifixion—under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he was able to see the words of Jesus and Scripture come to fulfillment. Therefore—there’s no reason why you and I can’t expect the promises of the Bible to come true in our life as well.   

2. The superscription is fact.

It was customary for someone being crucified to have an inscription placed around their neck or a superscription over their head to signify their crime. Now what Pilate did, as a way of getting back at the Jewish leaders for claiming he was no friend of Caesar…he used the sign that said, Jesus of Nazareth; the King of the Jews to get revenge. Sorta poked his political finger in their eye.

What’s really neat about all of this is Pilate was completely unaware of how God was using his hateful actions toward the Jews as a way to announce that Jesus truly is the King of all kings.

In essence—all of what’s happening is really the coronation of Jesus as King. He was given a crown and a robe. Then He was lifted us and now according to Hebrews 10:12…He sits at the right hand of God waiting for the day described in Revelation 19 when He returns as the conquering King of kings and Lord of lords.

Now—a King needs a kingdom, and a kingdom needs subjects to inhabit it. Jesus said in 3:14 that just as Moses lifted up the snake in the dessert, He would also be lifted up. Then in John 12:32 He said when He is lifted up…people will be drawn to Him. That’s a fact…Amen. The thief has come (Luke 23:42) and so has a Roman soldier (47). What about you this morning? Have you come to the King? If so—you were drawn to Him as your only hope. If not…

3. The Son arranges Mary’s future.

Notice if you will how John paints for us a beautiful picture of the compassion and concern of our Lord Jesus in the midst of His most difficult hour. John writes, “Jesus saw His mother there” (v26). The Jews who came out to the cross in hopes of finally seeing their nemesis die…taunted Him (Luke 23). The soldiers mocked and gambled for His clothes…just another day at the office for them. But Jesus saw Mary…and even in the midst of agony He met her need.

This is just a thought…He not only arranged her immediate future—He arranged her eternal future that day as well! You see—I believe John’s telling us something more than Jesus thinks of everything or that Jesus never leaves anything undone. I believe he’s simply saying to us…in spite of it all, Jesus is still in control of what’s happening. And that’s still true today.

4. The sovereign work is finished.

John says, “Jesus, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled…said, ‘It is finished.” Mission accomplished. God’s plan of redemption is now complete.

Let me ask you the question we began with again, “Do you see an innocent man who unfortunately fell victim to a conspiracy…and died a horrible death? There was no one to help Him, no one to rescue Him from this terrible ordeal. He was just a victim of unfortunate fate.

Or—after John has explained to you the rest of the story…do you see the victorious Lord? The One the Bible had said from Genesis was coming. The One not only coming—but where He was coming to (Micah 5), to whom He was coming through (Isaiah 7:14), why He was coming (Mat 20:28), and how He was going to give His life.

My hope and prayer for us this morning is—that we see Jesus as He truly is…a victorious King. A King that’s still drawing people today!