Thank you for listening to the Cultivating Growth Podcast. Each week we're taking a topic, kind of dissecting that in conversation this month, we have been looking at the seven statements that Jesus makes from the cross. John and I have had good conversations surrounding that as we have. This year, on this fourth week, uh, this fourth, uh, podcast of the month, we brought a guest in with us and we have one, John will introduce him here in just a moment.

We'll continue our discussion, uh, from Jesus on the cross, kind of put a bow on some of those things, and I'm really looking forward to, uh, to our discussion. So let's get to it.

But Jeremy, you mentioned being the. Last podcast of the month. We have a guest with us today. We've got Nolan Klaus with us this week. Nolan is from Anderson and is doing some work with the church in Newcastle this summer. So we're excited to have him with us. Uh, we're. Thankful that you've had the time and the ability and the opportunity to come over and join us for this conversation.

So, Nolan, as Jeremy kind of alluded to, we've been talking about these seven statements that Jesus makes while he's on the cross, and we've talked about each of those over the past three weeks. Uh, but I'm just curious, as you've kind of looked at these statements that Jesus makes, these conversations and interactions that he has.

While on the cross is, is there one of those in particular that has kind of stood out to you, uh, one that for, for whatever reason has really resonated with you that you want to begin with this morning? Yeah, sure. First off, I thank you guys for inviting me to come on this, uh. I know that, uh, in your past episodes, you've been kind of breaking this down based off of the, uh, you know, maybe statements of purpose, uh, statements about Jesus humility or reflecting his forgiveness.

And, uh, you know, some of them that jumped out to me was, you know, the statements of his fulfilled purpose in this. Mm-hmm. You know, uh, one that really jumped out was Luke 2346. When he says, you know, into your hands, I commit my spirit. Um, you know, Jesus says he's completed, he's completed what he's had to do, and he's really, uh.

He's showing that he's, uh, the trust that he has put in God throughout his whole life. That is culminating in this moment. He's placing that, he's placing his hands in, he's placing his life into God's hands. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah, to me, I agree. I mean, that, that's one of the strongest ones for me as well.

Certainly those last two that we talked about just last week, you know, from, you know, it is finished. Very simple. Three words and, and really the connotation that that carries. You know, you think about the life of Jesus, there are so many things that he did right. There are so many takeaways and there are so many applications.

As you work through the gospels, there are so much to learn. There are so many ways to grow. I mean, you, you can study and. And learn and grow from the life of Jesus for, for a lifetime. And, and all of that is a reality, but. There. There was a purpose that he came to earth. A lot of other things happened for sure, but there was a purpose and there was a singular purpose.

And that singular purpose goes back to Genesis chapter three. Mm-hmm. And sin entering into this world and God. Dealing with that sin so that he can have a relationship with man. And so when you start to think about this really singular purpose, I, I came to seek and to save the loss, that's what my purpose was.

You know, certainly from Jesus's perspective, or you read a passage like Paul will make mention of in Ephesians chapter one, that even before the foundations of the world, you know, these ideas and thoughts and then you go through the life of Jesus and you know, he makes mention of, you know, at various times, you know, it's not, it's not.

The time is not at hand. The time is not at hand. You know, there are things and, and ways to go and then suddenly here we are on the cross culminating, you know, this one purpose for which he came and it has been accomplished. And so you have, it is finished. This purpose to redeem man is over. Yeah, that's been one of my, uh, favorite statements that we've covered as well, and it really speaks Nolan, as you said, to Jesus's purpose.

And I, I go all the way back to John chapter one when John the Baptist sees Jesus coming down the road. And in John chapter one, John is in a lot of ways kind of entered. Deucing us to Jesus. And, and as he see, as John the Baptist sees Jesus coming down the road, he, he looks to him and says, behold the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.

And that in the way that John records, uh, Jesus's story for us is in a lot of ways our introduction to him and then fast forward all the way to Jesus on the cross, and he is completing that purpose. That he came to earth to fulfill. He came to earth to be that perfect sacrifice to take away our sins.

And as he is now hanging on the cross, at the very end of that journey with confidence, he's able to proclaim that this purpose that I was sent to Earth to fulfill has been accomplished. It is finished. I'm giving up my spirit. I'm giving myself back to the Father and doing so in victory. And we talked about that, you know, a week or two ago that.

While it certainly would've appeared as if, uh, the Romans had won, the Pharisees had won, the scribes had won. All those who were opposed had won. Satan had won, right? Yeah. All of those who were opposed to Jesus throughout his ministry, it, it would appear as if. They got what they wanted. They've killed him.

They've silenced him, and, and yet as Jesus is hanging on the cross, he understands that the exact opposite has happened, that he has been victorious, that he did everything he was sent to Earth to do. And what's about to transpire is his gospel message is not going to just be taken to Jerusalem, but to the whole world.

And, and the explosion of Christianity because of the gospel message is about to happen. And so Jesus, understanding all of that while on the cross, even in these last breaths, is in every way, uh, claiming victory. And proclaiming that he has accomplished exactly what he was sent to Earth to do. Yeah, I, when I was reading through this, I was just thinking about the impact, which the statements that he said had, uh, you look at the centurion, you know, after he says into your hands, I commit my spirit.

Uh, you know, uh, what is it, Luke 2347. Now, when the Centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying Certainly this man was innocent. Uh. Just kind of thinking about the impact Jesus' death had. You know, this guy who is beside the cross, uh, you know, and he would assume that this man is guilty because he is, he's being crucified.

Um, but then he sees these signs that are occurring and he sees the things that Jesus is saying. And if, if this man was a liar, he would not have carried the act all the way to this point. Uh, and the centurion has led to believe, well, this guy has to be God's son. This guy must be innocent. Uh. Just thinking about the, uh, the sort of impact that, you know, what will the impact that my death has on people, how will people see the, when I die, uh, in the way I die?

How will people react to that? You know, uh, Jesus was able to react in this way because he had genuinely lived his life for the Lord. Uh. In those last moments, you know, your true colors show and Jesus' true colors were those that were a faithful one. Yeah. I think, you know, a lot of times, especially you make mention of the Centurion and certainly others, you know, that would, that was around the cross.

The, the whole experience of, of watching Jesus on the cross had to have been a unique one. Oh yeah. And certainly this centurion probably has seen other people, you know, crucified. Jesus had two other people we know, crucified, you know, they're with him and they, he has probably seen that and maybe participated in other crucifixions.

You know, he, he's very aware of, of how people normally conduct themselves. Mm-hmm. You know, on the cross. But Jesus is going about it in a very different way. I mean, one thing we talked a lot about this month that it really has stuck with me is through a lot of these statements I. There is a reality that even on the cross, as unjust as that was as ridiculous as his night before was, and the beatings that he has taken, the mockings that he has taken, you know, all of these things, and now here he is on the cross and yet his focus still remains.

Other people. Mm-hmm. Yes. And, and so whether that's through his acts of forgiveness, uh, in general, father forgive them for they, they don't know what they're doing or whether it is his very, uh, passionate conversation, uh, surrounding his own mother. And, and making sure that she is cared for, or, you know, the powerful conversation he'll have with one of the other thiefs that is there, uh, being crucified with him and, uh, you know, and what he needs.

You, you, you start to see that even on the cross. Jesus was still focused outwardly. Mm-hmm. And I would think for the Centurion and for others watching closely, I mean really watching, and that's certainly what he seemed to have been doing, is that would've been unique. Mm-hmm. That that would have been different.

But to your point, Nolan, that fits with the life that Jesus led. That's not just something new, you know, that's popped up. While he was on the cross, he lived his whole life focused on others. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And, uh, I, I think it does, I think it gives us an opportunity to think about not just in the life that we live, but even at the end of our lives, if we are in a position to, to have the realization that maybe it's nearing, can I still remain?

Focused on others as Jesus was, who absolutely knew his life was coming to an end. Yeah. Yeah. I think that's an interesting kind of thought to consider is, you know these Roman soldiers who would've participated in, who knows how many crucifixions and executions of different kinds. My guess is they saw a lot of fear.

As the reality set in that death was near for those that were being executed, they probably saw a lot of pleading for their lives from those people. Maybe a lot of anger that would have been, uh, brought out in those moments. And to see none of that in Jesus. You know, we, we haven't spent a whole lot of time talking about it, but we can see even from the garden how he is just completely under control of his emotions throughout this entire ordeal.

He, he isn't worked up. He's not angry, he's not out of control in any way. And, and that has to be unique to what they're used to seeing. They're, they're used to seeing people who are in their last moments. My guess is in, in a great deal of agony and emotional states of, of various kinds. But for Jesus to be in such control and to be thinking about other people in that moment.

I, I, the impact that he had clearly on this man and others was obvious, and I think that's a, a good thing to consider for our own lives. You know, not all of us will have the benefit of knowing when our time on Earth is going to come to an end. But when it does, how are we going to face death? How, how are we gonna confront the end of our lives?

And certainly, Jesus was in a unique circumstance here, but yet there is a lot to be said. For an example he sets for us to follow are, are we gonna be able to confront death in victory and we're gonna be able to confront death, still thinking about other people and how we can help before we take our last breath.

That that's the example that Jesus leaves for us. And it's a worthy one to consider as all of us kind of battle our own mortality at different points in our lives. I think we can even add to that application, just personal crisis, right? I mean, yeah. That's even in personal crisis, you know, whether we're, you know, there are moments.

Certainly we're not gonna maybe be able to know our, our life is coming to an end, but all of us deal with personal crisis. Sure. Can I, in the midst of personal crisis, remain outwardly focused and uh, and, and Jesus is certainly showcasing that we can do that. And, uh, he's leaving us an example of that for sure.

Right. It makes me think about, uh, about Paul and second Timothy. You know, he, he says, you know, I'm, I'm confident I've placed my life. My life is in Christ's hands. I know that in the end, I'm gonna get that crown of righteousness because you know the Lord, he's able to defend me. Yeah. Steven's another example.

Oh yeah. Of someone in a situation like that who, you know, as he's being stoned, he's. Kind of almost parroting a little bit of what Jesus has to say is he, you know, ask that these people be forgiven for what they're doing to him. Yeah, there, there we have examples of, of people in scripture who are kind of following the footsteps of Jesus and how they face death.

And I think it's a really important thing for us to consider. You know, and it's, it's hard certainly when you're not in those moments of crisis or not in those moments facing death. To really think about that, but I, I do think it is something worth giving consideration to, and I think a lot of it has to do with how we live our lives.

To your point, Nolan, if we've lived a life of faith and it has consumed us and we are confident in our salvation as Paul clearly was, then when those times of crisis arise, or ultimately when death knocks on our door, we're going to respond accordingly. Mm-hmm. But it really does, it showcases. What our, where our heart is when those moments arise, and we can clearly see here with Jesus, not only is he ready to go back to his father, but, but he's confident that that everything he came to do has been done.

And that is why he can now confidently go back to his father. Yeah. I'll tell you one other thing. Uh, I just wanna, you know, kind of, that kind of has been striking to me, you know, kind of this month as we've talked about Jesus on the cross and kind of been focusing on that. It, it, it is there, there is no question.

Of Jesus's humanity while he is on earth, especially with him on the cross. I mean, there, there are other moments, you know, throughout his life where that comes to the forefront. Whether it's, you know, the mention of him needing sustenance or, or him getting tired and, and being tired, or, you know, whatever the case may be.

And certainly the emotions that come into play throughout his life. But Jesus on the cross should take away all questions that somebody would have. Of, of Jesus while he is on earth. That he was human and, and dealt with those things and dealt with the difficulties of, of, of what being human is all about.

I mean, we see him on the cross and he, he's bleeding. He, he dies. I mean, you know, he, he dies. He, he bleeds, he, uh, his thirsty. We've talked about even that simple little, you know, phrase of, you know, I, I'm, I thirst, and, you know, that points to his humanity, the human relationships that he's aware of, you know, certainly his mother, you know, and John comes to mind.

And, and so you see all of that, you know, again, coming to the forefront in the face of. O one of the greatest, you know, God, things that's occurring, the redemption of man. He, at the same time is as human as, as each and every one of us. And so that's what allows this incredible event to have so many different application pieces of, you know, what it means to us spiritually, but even how to conduct ourselves in moments of difficulty has all of those things because of who he is.

Right. Even thinking, you know, this faithfulness we see with Jesus, you know, it doesn't even begin in the garden. You know, you might think, you know, oh, my death is coming, you know, at the, at the 11th hour, I'm gonna really, really try and, you know, focus. Uh, but you know, from, you know, Jesus is 12 years old.

He's in the temple. Uh, Jesus threw it his adult life. He's sacrificing sleep to be able to pray and to spend time with God. And he's sacrificing, you know, his time to be able to help others. Mm-hmm. Uh, so when the time comes and. The pressure's on, uh, Jesus, you know, he, he's doing what he's always been doing.

It's nothing new for him. Yeah. And so, you know, for me, you know, maybe I should really be focused on, you know, living my life, how I want my death to look, but doing it right now so that when the time comes, when the pressure is on, I'm gonna glorify God and my death. Yeah, that's a great point. I think, I think you're, you're spot on with that when.

You know, all of us sitting around this table, Nolan, you're certainly the youngest by a fair, fair margin. But, uh, even, even, you know, none of us are old by any real definition of, of the world's standards, and most likely we still have years in front of us now who knows what may happen, but even as relatively young people, even as middle-aged people, to, to be thinking about what is the legacy that my life is going to leave behind?

What are people going to remember about me, not just the final words that I say mm-hmm. As I take my last breaths, but what is my life? What is the painting that my life is creating right now that others are going to look back on after I'm gone? And, and to your point, the words that Jesus says. It says on the cross, those words really just reflect the life that he's lived.

He, he's lived a life of pain and suffering and rejection, and he's lived a life thinking about other people, and he's lived a life focused on forgiving other people, and he's lived a life. Connected to his father. All of these things that we see Jesus focusing in on, on the cross are really just reflections of the life that he's lived.

And, and so for us, I think you make a really good point. How, how can we do that in our lives today? How can we live a life? So that some of the last words we have to say are simply a reflection of the life of faith that we've lived and, and that really drives home just the importance of thinking about our lives and their totality and not just, you know, these last moments that we've been focusing on, on as regards to Jesus.

Yeah, I mean, you know, one, one more thing from me, just, you know, we've alluded to it and you just made mention of it. It, it, it, it is his perspective of death. You know that Jesus has right here. Uh, you made mention that, you know, probably these Roman soldiers and stuff, you know, they, they had at other crucifixions, they have seen a tremendous amount of fear.

Mm-hmm. But yet Jesus has a perspective of what death is. For him here. Incredible victory, salvation of mankind. Um, you know, the joy that is set before me has made mention of, you know, later on in the New Testament, you know, he, he has this incredible perspective of what death is and, and that's what the Christian should have and, and know.

I'm, I'm hoping that if I'm facing. My death and I, I have a, a, a notion that it's upon me. Mm-hmm. That I'm able to have that same perspective of an understanding that such as Paul will write in, you know, one Corinthians 15, that it, it is, it is, death is victory for the Christian, and, and if that perspective is held.

Yeah. It, it's very, very different and it's very unique and people will take notice and, and hopefully, ultimately glorify God. And that really I is what this has all been about. We've made mention in John 17 when Jesus is praying after he is finished with his apostles in the upper room and he makes mention that the his hour is at hand.

Mm-hmm. But is our, is at hand so that the father will be glorified. Yeah. And that's what I'm hoping. I'm hoping that even in my. Death God can be glorified, you know, very reminiscent of, you know, Paul in Philippians chapter one, I mean, he's interested that even if his life were to end, it's still about God.

And that's certainly where I'd like to be as well. Yeah. Well, Nolan, any, any last thoughts on this before we kind wrap, uh, this episode up and wrap up this topic for the month? Anything you wanna leave us with? Um, I don't think so. You know, I'm just kind of thinking, I guess maybe, maybe one more thing, just thinking about Jesus saying, you know, it is finished.

Uh, when I was thinking about that, thinking about what that would've meant for Jesus to say that, you know, I was thinking, uh, you know, when, when, when I'm at college and I have like a large project. To do. And you know, I work on it, you know, over the course of several weeks, you know, to be done with that.

You know, I flop onto the couch. I'm like, yo, it's done. Right. And that relief you feel, you know, just thinking about the relief Jesus would've felt maybe in that moment, uh, the, the victory in that moment, uh, this is that hymn we sing. The power of the cross says, you know, finish the victory, cry, uh, you know, how much of a victory cry should that be for us?

Then, you know, we read that and we're like, man, you know, it's. Done. Like, you know, our salvation is secured in this moment. Mm-hmm. Yeah, that's a great point. I, I think that is a really good place to kind of end this for the month, because you're right, we've talked about everything that Jesus went through, all the pain, the suffering, the emotion, all, all that.

He went through the victory that he was claiming. But, but you're right. I think there has to be a feeling of relief. That his time here is coming to an end and everything that he came to do has been accomplished and there is celebration in that. There is relief in that. There's victory in that, and so let's.

Now let's finish up this episode and let's kind of wrap up this month in John chapter 19 with that very phrase that Jesus finishes with beginning in verse number 28 of John chapter 19. It says, after this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said I thirst.

Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a sap and put it to his mouth. And so when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said It is finished. Bowing his head, he came up his spirit.

Thank you for listening this week. If you haven't already done so, we'd appreciate it if you would take just a second to subscribe to the podcast, whatever platform you're listening, rate and review the show so we can continue to spread the good news of Jesus widely and effectively as possible. Thanks again for joining us this week, and we'll talk again next week.