The words from John 19:30, “It is Finished” have been on my heart and mind since the end of last week. It is those words that speak finality into existence when it comes to the death of sin. Jesus had finished the work that had been set before Him by the Father. It was Christ sacrifice that God spoke about in Genesis 3:15, and it was Christ that was the ultimate lamb to be slain for the sins of humanity. More often than not, we rush by those words and Good Friday as whole when it comes to Easter Weekend. We want to jump to the resurrection even at the beginning of Holy Week. But it is those words of Jesus “It is Finished” that we need to celebrate and give thanks for! For the next few paragraphs, I want to explain why those words are so important when it comes to the work of redemptive history. I want to examine those words in contexts of John 19. So, journey with me for a just a few paragraphs and my prayer is that this short blog will connect each of us to Christ in a more intimate way this Holy Week.
“After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:28-30)
Jesus had been convicted of a crime he did not commit and for that was placed upon a cross that was destined for Him. Jesus the Son of God was now paying the price of wrath and death that you and I and every person to ever live deserves to pay. Sin is at the core of our hearts and souls and without a redemptive act we would be as Satan and have our heads crushed for eternity because of our disobedience to God. But Jesus the Divine Son, who had no sin, came from glory to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice for humanity. It was the work of Christ that was mentioned in Genesis 3:15, that God the Father had planned before creation. The work of Christ was not a second or back up plan but was always the first and only plan of the Father. God the Father through Christ showed His love for us that while we were sinners, Christ gave His life for us.
It was the wrath of God that Jesus drank for us on that cross. The words “I thirst” beckon us back to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane the night he was arrested. It was in the garden we find this description and words of Jesus. “Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little further he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus in the garden begin to dread what was coming and it was not the physical pain, but it was the cup. The cup of God’s wrath was coming and Jesus would drink fully of it. That wrath would bring about separation between the Father and the Son for the first and only time in eternity. God the Father would turn His back on the Son and the Holy Spirit would not be present to bring about comfort. Jesus would be alone and would be filling the full wrath and separation of God the Father and God the Spirit. It was that cup that was given to Him and it was that cup that the sour wine on hyssop branch represented. It was that moment of drinking that the sin of the world came upon Christ, and it was at that moment that separation between the Father and Son happens. It was at that moment that the fulfillment of Genesis 2 (you will surely die) came about. It was upon the drink of sour wine that Jesus utters the Words, “It is Finished.” This why the Apostle Paul could write these words in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; ” O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Because of those words we can have victory and salvation!
This Holy Week, take time to meditate on the words of Christ and upon the action of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks and praise to the Lord for the saving work that was accomplished on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday! Death and sin, now no longer have a hold on you Christian! Look to the Freedom and Victory that come in Christ Jesus! Take hold of the Word of God and allow it to soak within your heart, mind, and soul. Realize that without Christ salvation, we are still deserving of the wrath of God. Just as Christ loved and was willing to sacrifice all, may we be willing to the do the same for the sake of the gospel. Our love, compassion, kindness, truthfulness, and generosity must always point others to Christ. When we make things about our self and our desires then we lose the passion, compassion, love, and kindness that is needed to be a gospel light in this world. It is Finished and we can now rest in that hope and promise!
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