Reclaiming the Truth
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19.28-30
Redeeming the Time
“It is finished.” What is finished? What exactly did Jesus finish? What didn’t Jesus finish?
Jesus began his public ministry about three years earlier. It began near the Jordan River. When the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, saw Him come toward him, he said to all those listening, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1.29)
“It is finished.” The Greek word is telios meaning “fully finished” or “accomplished to the uttermost.” That’s what Jesus accomplishes on the cross. Jesus makes atonement on the cross for your sin and the sins of the world!
On the cross, God is treating Jesus Christ as if He committed every single sin that was ever committed by every single person. The full wrath of God is being placed on His Son instead of on you and me.
What’s happening on the cross is the single most important event in redemptive history. “It is finished.” It’s the moment when the wrath of God was poured on Jesus instead of us. When His body was broken, His blood was shed. Jesus atones for our sins. Jesus completes it. Not in defeat; this is absolute victory. In act of a heroic triumph, He screams, “It is finished.”
So, what is finished? The reconciling work of relationship is finished. The work of justification is finished. The work of redemption is finished. Jesus is your perfect sacrifice. And because of that, God is completely and utterly pleased with you. Jesus declared a complete victory on your behalf. It is finished.
Reflection
- When are you most tempted to try and earn the redemptive work on your own?
- What has He finished that you won’t (or don’t know how to) let be finished?
- Because it is finished, what is He beginning?
Resting in His Redemption
Rest and receive His redemption by reflection on the words of the hymn, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorry and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Where the whole real of nature mine,
That were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!
