Article written by: Brenda Wider
The Bible says in John 19:30, “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
The final words of the Son of God as He perished on the Cross would literally change the course of history for all of time. As Jesus hung on the cross, as His body withered at the crucifixion He had just endured, He mustered the strength to make the statement, “it is finished.”
Jesus became the final and ultimate sacrifice for our sin. The word in this verse, “finished,” means “paid in full.” Often, it was used in an accounting term, which indicates a debt was paid. This is the essence of what Christ came to do. He came to “finish” God’s work of salvation in us. He came to “pay it in full,” the entire penalty, or debt, for our sins.
“It is finished proclaims that all the work the Father had sent him to accomplish was now completed, particularly his work of bearing the penalty for sins. This means there was no more penalty left to be paid for sins, for all Jesus’ suffering was ‘finished
When Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross He took on our sins and took the place of sacrifice. No longer would it be required to yearly atone for sins through the sacrifice of a lamb, for Jesus atoned for our sins that day upon the cross. It is also foremost to recognize that the lambs used for sacrifice before were imperfect and they did not last. The sacrifice Jesus gave in becoming the spotless lamb without flaw in sacrificing Himself was not for just a time, but for all of time.
This phrasing by Jesus held a multitude of meanings in not only showing that the sin was atoned for, but that the debt is paid in full by His blood. When we consider the many facets of this phrasing we see just how impactful those words
Through the sacrifice of Himself that day over three-hundred prophesies throughout the Old Testament were fulfilled.
The first sin of Adam and Eve and all of the sins committed since then were dealt with by Jesus. Not only did Jesus take away the sin, but He finished it, He conquered it, it is done because of the blood of the spotless lamb being spilled for us.
Sacrifices given in temples were no longer needed, for Jesus took upon Himself the ultimate sacrifice.
Lastly, the division between God and man was finished. It is said that after He died the curtain in the temple was torn in two (Mark 15:38). The significance of this is what the curtain was the physical representation between the holiest of holies and man.
For us today and for generations to come after us this means that because of the work finished on the Cross Jesus has provided the solution to man’s sin and the way to God Himself. Because of the work finished on the cross when we believe in Jesus as Savior we are not only forgiven of sin, but we can be granted eternal life when this temporary life on Earth ceases. We can live without condemnation because of the work on the cross when we fall short.
“It is finished” is God telling you – I have done for you what you could never do. I have erased your sin debt and have reconciled you to myself.
It is finished conveys the following:
- The power of death and the devil has been destroyed.
- Your sin debt is paid in full.
- Jesus completed his mission on the cross to save you.
- You are no longer a slave to sin.
- Your charges have been dropped.
- You are free from the law of sin and death.
- You are now victorious in Christ.
- God’s wrath is satisfied.
- Prophecies of the Old Testament, which pointed to the suffering of the Messiah, were accomplished.
- The doors of heaven are open to us.
- All prophecies in the Old Testament were fulfilled by Jesus the Messiah.
- All prophecies in the New Testament will also continue to be fulfilled by Jesus, the LORD of Lords.
Written by,
Brenda Wider
Grandmothers of Hope Society Ministry, Inc.