Doctrine: Chronology of the cross

Tod Kennedy

1. The authorities brought Jesus to Calvary, the place of crucifixion. They offered him a wine like drink which he tasted and refused. This drink would have had a dulling sedative effect upon him. He refused it so that he might clearly undergo spiritual punishment for our sins (Matthew 27.33-34; Mark 15.22-23; Luke 23.33; John 19.17).

2. Jesus was crucified at 9 am between two thieves. The thieves were guilty of capital crimes. Jesus said “Father, forgive them,” the first cry (Matthew 27.35-38; Mark 15.24-28; Luke 23.33-38; John 19.18-24).

3. The chief priests, scribes, one thief, and the people mocked Jesus. They cast lots for his coat (Matthew 27.35-44; Mark 15.24-32; Luke 23.34-38; John 19.23-24).

4. One of the thieves believed in Christ. The Lord gave him assurance of salvation. Jesus said "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise," the second cry (Luke 23.39-43).

5. Christ made provision for John to take care of Mary. Jesus said "Woman, behold, your son!" the third cry (John 19.26-27).

6. At twelve noon darkness came on the earth; the father judged Christ for our sins. This lasted until 3 pm. The  judgment reached a peak when Christ, under the strain of judgment, cried out the fourth cry to God the judge, not God as father, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN ME?" (Matthew 27.45-47; Mark 15.33-36; Luke 23.44)

7. Jesus Christ recognized that the judgment of the cross had been accomplished, therefore since he was thirsty, he took some sour wine to give some relief and fulfill scripture of Psalm 69.21. He cried "I am thirsty," the fifth cry (John 19.28-29).

8. Jesus Christ now said something so that all will know that he had completed his substitutionary work on the cross. He said “it is finished,” the sixth cry. This verb is the perf pass indic of teleo. Compare John 19.28. At this point he was physically alive. Teleo means to bring to an end, to finish, to carry out, to accomplish, to perform (John 19.30).

9. Christ at this point voluntarily separated his body from his soul and human spirit by physical death. He said “father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” his seventh cry. Note that he now said father, not God the judge. The judgment was over. The fellowship between father and son had resumed (Matthew 27.5; Mark 15.42-47; Luke 23.50-56; John 19.31-42).

10. After this the soldier stuck a spear in his dead body, they took him down and Joseph and Nicodemus buried him (Matthew 27.57-60; Mark 15.42-47; Luke 23.50-56; John 19.31-42).

11. During the time from the burial to the resurrection, the body of Jesus went to the grave, while the soul and spirit went to paradise and the presence of God the father (Luke 23.42, 46; Ephesians 4.9; 1 Peter 3.18-21; Luke 23.53).

12. At the end of the three day period Christ arose from the dead. HIs human nature (soul and human spirit) joined his glorified resurrected body. This body was a new kind of body, a resurrection body, glorified humanity (Matthew 28; Luke 16.1-8; Luke 24; John 20; 1 Corinthians 15.4-20; Acts 7.55-56, and others.)

13. After the resurrection many people saw Christ: Peter, the disciples, apostles, some women, and many others--at least 500 in all (Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21; 1 Corinthians 15.4-7).  Paul, Stephen, and John saw Christ after he had ascended (Acts 7, 9, 22, 23, 26; Revelation 1; Galatians 1).