Access to the Father

Setting:  Jesus on the cross, been there 6 hours. 
John 19:28-37 - died evening of Passover - whole point of this passage - Jesus was DEAD!!!  Spear in side - blood and water - thought that his heart actually ruptured.  Fulfillment of OT prophecy
Ex. 12:46 - original Passover lamb - no bones broken
Zech. 12:10 - "the one that they pierced"

John 19:38 - Joseph of Arimethea, rich, devout, secret disciple, member of Sanhedrin but was not consenting to Jesus' death - takes Jesus' body - with Pilate's permission

Question:  What happened between Death and Resurrection????

Bookend views:
I)  He went to hell .....
     A) and suffered - Example Apostles' Creed - "He descended into hell" (place of the dead).   newer version:  "He descended to the dead" -
    B)  and preached - 1 Pet. 3:18-20

II)  He went to heaven..... Luke 23:43 - in Paradise
..and presented His sacrifice to God - Heb. 9:11-12,23-24

III)  He did both .... hell, then heaven

Fact is:  We don't know exactly WHAT took place those 3 days.

BUT - we DO KNOW something that took place this is very Relevant and Applicable to us:

ie:  by His death - JESUS PROCURED OUR ACCESS TO GOD  (gain/acquire/earn/secure)

Matt: 27:50-51 - "...top to bottom" - the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place

POINT:  The Way is Now Open!!!  - by the blood of Jesus
                        Heb. 10:19-20, 21-22
                        Rom. 5: 1-2

This Access is:  bought by Christ, secured by Him, available through Him

#1.  Unmerited  (unearned, undeserved)
       Eph. 2:8-9 - has nothing to do with our goodness
       Heb. 4:15-16 - 21st. century people have no concept of barriers to God's presence as in the temple, tabernacle.  1st. and 2nd. century Christians were VERY familiar with this concept.  AND, were amazed that they could now approach God on their own.  
However, we have NO right to approach God EXCEPT through Christ.

#2.  Equal to all
       Eph. 2:14, 17-18 - two are now one - Jews and Gentiles - both have access by one Spirit
       Gal. 3:28-29 - all are one in Christ - access equally the same for  everyone, BUT only through the true veil - Christ.

#3.  Available to all
BUT access secured, granted, guaranteed DOES NOT MEAN Appropriated!!!
      Heb. 4:16 - availability dies NOT assure it's done!
Note:  to enter with boldness, confidence DOES NOT mean with IMPUDENCE!!!!  He is GOD!!
Example:  disciples always addressed Jesus as:  "Lord, Master, Teacher, etc."  never by His name.  Always used title of reverence in recognition of who He was.

Application:  simple - HIS part is done!!!            
                                 Your part =
Decide and come -- initially (for salvation)
                            -- continually - entry is always the same again.

THE CRUCIFIXION

Crucifixion = method of execution under the Roman Empire.  Various types of crosses used, various means of attaching accused to the cross.  Many other means of execution used, but crucifixion was the worst of them all.  Prolonged suffering.  Was used as an example of what happens when laws weren't obeyed.
So, not a unique thing that Christ went through.  Thousands of people were executed this way.
Crucifixion was banned by Constantine in 300+ AD out of veneration of Christ - when he declared Christianity the state religion.

John 19:14-30

Various views of Christ's crucifixion:
1)  it didn't happen - this doesn't carry much weight today as it is historically proven to have happened
2)  they crucified a good man - not the Son of God, or deity in any form, but a good man
3)  they crucified a foolish man - he was deluded or deranged, or just trying to fool the people into believing he was the Son of God
4)  I don't know, don't care - the whole thing is irrelevant - most people never give it a thought.  Prevalent in the US today.

5) Christian view - John 1:1 - Word was God!  (crucifixion of God!!)

Christian Views:
#1.  He died for us - for our sin(s) - significant thing = death
       Bridge Illustration:  --> the Love of God
                                          the Justice of God -   just demands of a just God

#2.  His death was Pre-ordained (pre-determined, prophesied) - decided sometime in eternity past
                                    - necessary - Luke 24:25-27
                                    - voluntary - Jesus did not have to die for anybody

#3.  His death was a sacrifice - Heb. 9:26  - He sacrificed Himself for us
     (terms)   A)  Penal Substitution = take the place of
                   B)  Propitiation = to appease/satisfy - the wrath of God fell on Christ and God was satisfied.  Justice had been paid.  (contrast:  wrath averted vs. satisfied, absorbed.)
                  C)  Expiation = to extinguish, eliminate, remove guilt -
                        Example:  Old Testament 'scapegoat' - 1 Pet. 2:24

#4.  The Purpose, Intent of the Sacrifice:
                 A)  To Redeem - He died to buy us back out of slavery to sin - Mark 10:45, Col. 1:13
                 B)  To Reconcile - 2 Cor. 5:19

Question:  To what degree (extent, measure) was the intent/purpose of the cross accomplished?
(John 19:30 - "it is finished")
Views:
1)  Universalism - (Christian)  - Christ paid for all - all are safe and saved.  - Contrast Matt. 7:21 - not  is going to make it.  You must cross the bridge.  Pictures in Revelation

2)  Pre-determinism - (pre-destination, election, limited atonement) - you are pre-determined to be saved.  Nothing you can do to change that. 

3)  Works-salvation - He did His part, I must do mine. - ie:  can't be saved until I'm good enough.

4)  Traditional Evangelical view - Individual Choice (volition, decision) ie:  the work is done, the bridge is built, the way is open, BUT .  YOU must choose and cross the bridge (accept the sacrifice, make Him Lord)

The bridge will now save you, but provides the opportunity to be saved.

If this is true, then: need to: 
Make your choice
Declare your choice
Live your choice - (act and live as if you've crossed)

Make it Personal - He died for me!!!!