When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. — John 19:30
Let the day unfold in your minds. Christ is brought to the cross; he is nailed fast to the cruel wood. The sun burns him. His brutal wounds increase the fever. God forsakes him. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:47). While he hangs there in mortal conflict with sin and Satan, his heart is broken; his limbs are dislocated. On and on he goes, steadily determined to drink the last dreg of that cup which must not pass from him so his Father’s will be done. At last, he cries, “It is finished!” Christ dies. Hear it, Christians. Hear this shout of triumph as it rings today with all the freshness and force which it had years ago! Hear it from the sacred Word and from the Savior’s lips, and may the Spirit of God open your ears that you may understand what you hear!
What did the Savior mean by “It is finished”? First, that all the emblems, promises, prophecies, and Old Testament sacrifices were now fully realized in him. All the Scripture was now fulfilled. When he said, “It is finished,” the whole book—from the first to the last, in both the law and the prophets—was finished in him. There is not a single jewel of promise or prophecy, from that first emerald which fell on the threshold of Eden to that last sapphire stone of Malachi, which was not set in the breastplate of the true High Priest.
When he said, “It is finished,” Jesus totally destroyed the power of Satan, of sin, and of death—for you. The champion had entered the lists to do battle for our soul’s redemption, against all our foes. He met Sin. Horrible, terrible, all but omnipotent Sin nailed Christ to the cross—but in that deed, Christ nailed Sin also to the tree. There they both did hang together—Sin and Sin’s destroyer. Sin destroyed Christ, and by that destruction Christ destroyed Sin. The words “It is finished” consolidated heaven, shook hell, comforted earth, delighted the Father, glorified the Son, brought down the Spirit, and confirmed the everlasting covenant to all the chosen ones.
Dear friends, once more, take comfort from this finality, for the redemption of Christ’s church is perfected. There is not another penny to be paid for her full release. There is no mortgage upon Christ’s inheritance. Those whom he bought with blood are forever clear of all charges—paid for to the utmost. “It is finished”—finished forever. All those overwhelming debts, which would have sunk us to the lowest hell, have been discharged by the cross. And they who believe in Christ may appear with boldness even before the throne of God itself. “It is finished.” Your sins have received their death blow; the robe of your righteousness has received its last thread. It is done —complete, perfect. It needs no addition; it can never suffer any diminution.
O Christian, do lay hold of this precious thought, for it is enough to make you leap though your legs were loaded with irons, and to make you sing though your mouth was mute. Oh, to think that we are perfectly accepted in Christ—that our justification is not partial; it does not go to a limited extent but goes the whole way. Oh, wondrous grace! As far as the east is from the west, so far has God removed our transgressions from us by the death of Christ (Psalm 103:12). This and this alone will put away sin. Therefore in this cross of Christ we glory; yes, and in it alone will we glory evermore.
Reflect
How does the death of Jesus affect you? What do you want to express to the Lord Jesus today? What do you need to believe more firmly, eagerly, joyfully?
Pray
O Lord, the scene of Good Friday is at the same time too painful and too wonderful for my heart. My soul is grieved and gladdened, lamenting and leaping, sorrowful and savoring all that happened on that bloody cross. I rejoice in my Redeemer! The wonder of grace! The freedom of forgiveness! Today, I drink of the sweet nectar of the gospel and say, “Thank you, Jesus!” Amen.