It was meant to be a sign to the people of the world who would defy Rome. There would be no authority outside the umbrella of Rome. Even one who claimed that His Kingdom was not of this world, would still die.
And the soldier looked at the one whose heart he had pierced and said, “This surely is the Son of God.”
It was meant to send a message to all who would dare challenge the Jewish religious leaders. No prophet, not even a messianic one, would ever dare take them on again. The teachings of this nobody from Nazareth would be forgotten within a month, but his death would be remembered.
And Peter and John stood before Caiaphas and the high priestly cast and declared, “The stone you have rejected has become the cornerstone.”
It was meant to put these humans back in their place. They belonged to him, the devil. There would be no hope. Let them return to their lives of frustration, their lives of despair. Let them recognize that Satan had won again. The world belong to him, the prince of darkness.
And Jesus said, “It is finished,” and handed His spirit back to His Father. The work was finished. The devil was finished.
“When I behold the wondrous cross, on which the prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
“Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, Save in the Cross of Christ my God, All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
“See from His hands, His head, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down: did ere such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?
“Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small, Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” Isaac Watts
It was meant to be a sign to the world, and it was: Love never fails.
We bring our sorrows; we bring our pains; we bring our joys; we bring our hope; we lay it all at the foot of the cross. And we know this: In this sign, you and I will conquer.