This unknown writer put these words together.

Socrates taught for 40 years, Plato for 50, Aristotle for 40, and yet Jesus only for three.

Yet the impact of the finished, the emphasis here on finished, work of Christ's three years infinitely transcends the impact left by the combined 130 years of

these three great philosophers of integrity. Jesus painted no picture, and yet some of the finest

paintings of Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci received their inspirations from him.

Jesus wrote no poetry, but yet Dante and Milton and scores of the world's greatest poets were inspired by him. Jesus composed no music,

and yet Hayden, Handel, Beethoven, Bach and Mendelssohn reached their highest perfection of melody in hymns and

symphonies that they composed in praise of him. Every sphere of human greatness has been inspired

by the humble carpenter from Galilee.

But his ultimate transformation of the human race is the salvation of souls.

Philosophy could not accomplish that.

No art, no literature, no music can accomplish that.

Only Jesus can break the enslaving chains of sin and guilt and the power of Satan. Only Jesus, who paid the price fully on the cross, could speak

eternal peace into a human heart. Only Jesus can strengthen the weak, heal the sick, and give life to those who are spiritually

dead.

And as we come to this seventh and last statement from the cross, we find that only John, of all

the four gospel writers, record that last word. Don't forget,

John was there. He heard the loud cries and he heard the soft words. He heard every word

from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ on that cross. In fact, Mark 15 said, Jesus gave a loud cry and died.

Matthew 27 said, Jesus again gave a loud cry and breathed his last. Luke 23 said, then Jesus gave a

loud cry. But then in John 1930, John said, Jesus said, it is finished.

And with that he bowed his head and gave his spirit.

...