This is most probably one of the best illustrations of what the essence of the Gospel Message is.
You can find all 4 Gospels telling you about what happened on that Wednesday, the 9th of April 30 A.D., when Jesus the Christ, God the Son, was crucified for you and me.
Please go and read it yourself!
Matt. 27, Mrk. 15, Luk. 23, Joh. 19.
Here is an illustration of what happened here.
Once upon a time in a far-off country, there was an ancient king who was known to be simultaneously the most loving and just king who had ever existed.
Eventually, it was discovered that somebody was stealing from the King's treasury.
So, the king issued a decree that said that when it was discovered who was stealing from his treasury, a sentence of 10 lashes in front of the entire Kingdom would be visited upon them as the penalty for their disobedience.
The theft continued, and eventually the king issued a final decree: 40 lashes would be visited upon the person who was stealing from the King's treasury.
But 40 lashes was in reality a death sentence! So, this king issued a death sentence on the perpetrator.
As weeks went by, it was eventually discovered that none other than the daughter of the king was the one who was stealing from his treasury.
When that was discovered, a question began to ripple through the Kingdom: How could the most loving king who has ever existed kill his own daughter?
Some people thought that he would pardon such a person, but then, how would he just!
Some people thought that he would punish her, but then, how could he be loving then as well?
Eventually, the king examined it and said: Hey, the law is clear! Sin has taken place, and justice must fall! The sentence must be passed!
So, the King's own daughter was brought in front of the entire Kingdom. She was then laid over an executioner's table and was tied to the table. The executioner then ripped open the back of her shirt and stepped back to execute the punishment.
But then, just as the executioner lifted his whip to issue the first lash, the king stood up from his throne and yelled: Stop!
Everyone watched in dismay.
Silently, the king walked forward, bent over his daughter, wrapped his body around his daughter on the stump, ripped the shirt off his own back, and looked back at the executioner while saying: Now, hit her!
The executioner objected: No, I can't hit her without hitting you!
Now, hit her! the king said.
And so, 40 lashes fell upon the back of the king as he stood over the back of his daughter! And the king died, and the girl went free!
The core of the well-known message of the Gospel about Jesus’ crucifixion is that this is exactly what He has done for you!
Because God is just, punishment for sin had to be paid!
But because God is love, He chose to make that payment Himself!
And here's the good news!
What you must understand is that when Jesus hung on that bloody cross, and He pushed up on the nail-pierced hands, choking to death on His own blood, His final words through His choking breath were the words: Tetelestai! It is finished!
He did not cry out: I am finished. His words were: It is finished!
So, now, if He's not finished, you're not finished!