1. It was the fulfillment of a multitude of specific prophecies: “These things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled” (Jn. 19:36). The number of prophecies, time period between prophecy and fulfillment, improbability of them happening in the natural course of events, and the specificity of the details gives the lie to the idea that the cross was a surprise to Jesus, caused by His own missteps, and turned to advantage by His followers after the fact.
Here is a sampling: betrayed by an acquaintance (Ps. 41:9 with Mt. 26:47-50); sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:13 with Mt. 26:14-16); His disciples would abandon Him in the crisis (Zech. 13:7 with Mt. 26:31); He went voluntarily (Ps. 40:6-8 with Jn. 12:27-33); would not speak in His own defense (Isa. 53:7 with Mt. 27:13-14); dishonored and shamed (Ps. 69:19 with Mk. 15:16-20); smitten, spit on, visage marred (Isa. 50:6; 52:14 with Mk. 14:27); hands and feet pierced, wounded (Micah 5:1; Isa. 53:5-6 with Mt. 27:35; Mk. 15:22; Jn. 19:16-18); they tore His garment but cast lots for His vesture (Ps. 22:18 with Mt. 27:35; Jn. 19:23-24); died between thieves (Isa. 53:12 with Mk. 15:28); mocked by the crowd (Ps. 22:7-8 with Mt. 27:45); forsaken by God (Ps. 22:1 with Mk. 15:34); given vinegar to drink (Ps. 69:21 with Mt. 27:48); not a bone broken (Ps. 34:20 with Jn. 19:31-36); His side pierced (Zech. 12:10 with Jn. 19:34, 37).
2. Many types found their Antitype: to take only a few OT pictures provided by the journey from Egypt to Canaan, He was the Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7), emphasizing His perfection and substitutionary death; our Leader who brought us through “…not by water only, but by water and blood” (1 Jn. 5:6), emphasizing victory over all our enemies; the tree cut down at Marah, making life’s bitter experiences sweet; the smitten Rock from which we receive the river of the Spirit (1 Cor. 10:4); the bronze serpent (Jn. 3:14), suggesting the truth that Christ was sent “in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin” (Rom. 8:3); and the manna (Jn. 6:30-51) which God provided to satisfy our souls.
3. The absolute claims of the law were satisfied: Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Mt. 5:17). “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe” (Rom. 3:20-22). “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 10:4). “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3).
4. It was the crowning expression of the love, wisdom and power of God revealed: Of course the love of God was revealed, but especially in the love of Christ. We see His love for the Father that day: “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence” (Jn. 14:31). We see His love for the Church, His beloved Bride: “…Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it” (Eph. 5:25). And, perhaps most heartwarming to us, He showed His love for each individual sinner: “…the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). And what of the wisdom and power of God? “We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Cor. 1:23-25).
Think of the miracles that occurred that day at Calvary. There were three main ones:
i. Darkness at noon (Lk. 23:44-45) as a shroud to hide the solemn scene from men but also prefigured the “blackness of darkness” which will be the part of the Christ rejecter;
ii. The rending of the veil in the temple (Mt. 17:51) tells of the access provided through the the fact that “It is finished!” (see Heb. 10:20).
iii. The miraculous earthquake causing the graves of some believers to open (Mt. 27:52), showing that death was “swallowed up in victory,” that creation had a great interest in the cross, and that Calvary had superceded Sinai. Who else would have thought of such a plan? Or could have afforded it? Or would have been willing to do it? (see Rom. 12:32-36). Only the Godhead!
5. A ransom sufficient to redeem every sinner was made: It was a price so lavish that by it He became poor and believers become as rich as He now is! “The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Mt. 13:44-46). “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Cor. 8:9).
6. The whole human race has been drawn to the cross, either in salvation or condemnation: The Lord Jesus made these three promises: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (Jn. 3:14-15). “When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things” (Jn. 8:28). “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me” (Jn. 12:31-32). What do they mean? That the uplifted Man (uplifted by men) is i) the only salvation for humanity, ii) God’s own glorious idea, and iii) the death blow to the devil. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
7. The massive foundation was laid that would sustain the Church, the Kingdom, and the world to come: “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:11). “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:19-20). “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste (be let down)” (Isa. 28:16). The death of Christ was designed to restore man’s confidence in God, to provide a solid basis for the life of every individual who puts his trust in the Lord.
8. At the cross, the Lord Jesus became or voluntarily “was made” four remarkable things: “Jesus…was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb. 2:9). “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Gal. 4:4-5). “…being in the form of God, [He] thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:6-8). “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal. 3:13-14).