Text: John 19 : 16 - 42

Dear Brethren,

A CRY OF VICTORY

The cry of Jesus as He drew His last breath was nothing short of remarkable. John noted what Jesus said,

"So when Jesus had received the sour wine,
He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His
head, He gave up His Spirit."
John 19:30

Mark did not record what Jesus said. However, he noted the way in which Jesus spoke.

"And Jesus cried out with a loud voice,
and breathed His last."
Mark 15:37

Matthew also noted that Jesus exclaimed with a loud voice, before He breathed His last.

"And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice,
and yielded up His spirit."
Matthew 27:50

How many do we know could conclude the end of His journey on earth on such a note of triumph?

"IT IS FINISHED!"

What did Jesus mean when He said, "It is finished"? Let us take time to ponder over the following thoughts:-

1. The Lexical Meaning

This phrase "It is finished" is actually just one word in the Greek text. It may also be translated as "It is completed". This word (Greek - "tetelestai") is used to describe debts that have been "paid in full". The meaning is obvious! All our debts have been paid in full!

The word suggests that there was a process. From the time when Jesus was born until the day He died, Jesus had to complete and fulfill all that God required of Him. This literally meant perfect or total obedience to the Law of God. No man had ever kept the law. Not even Moses through whom the Law was given.

Jesus came not to break the Law, but to fulfill it. And He fulfilled it perfectly. Having done all that was required by the Law, Jesus could say, "It is finished".

2. The Theological Meaning

When Jesus came into public view, John the Baptiser introduced Him as "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). That most symbolic declaration meant that Jesus had to be like the lambs of the Old Testament sacrifice. There must be no blemish at all. He must be that Perfect Lamb of God. By the way He lived His life, Jesus became that Perfect Lamb of God!

3. Personal Meaning

There is another thought that we must take note of - the personal application of the death of Jesus to us. Paul waxed most eloquent when he commented on the significance of Christ's death. Let us take time to read the following text.

"But now the righteousness of God apart
from the law is revealed, being witnessed
by the Law and the Prophets, even the
righteousness of God, through faith in
Jesus Christ, to all and on all who
believe. For there is no difference; for all
have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God, being justified freely by His
grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a
propitiation by His blood, through faith,
to demonstrate His righteousness, because in
His forbearance God had passed over the
sins that were previously committed, to
demonstrate at the present time His
righteousness, that He might be just and the
justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
Romans 3:21-26

The Apostle Paul's thoughts may be summarized thus:-

1. All men have sinned against God. There is no difference between Jew or Gentile.

2. There is only one way in which a man can stand before God justified. The Lord would have to impute that righteousness to the individual.

3. Faith in Jesus-

a) That He through His death can offer the sinner's redemption.

b) That through faith in Him the sinner is now justified by God.

c) That he receives the imputed righteousness of God.

4. The grace of God

a) Only by God's free grace can man be offered such a plan of salvation.

b) Man cannot ever merit salvation because he is so sinful.

c) Man will have to exercise faith in Jesus to appropriate this salvation.

5. Our sins are passed over:-

a) By God's grace

b) By His forbearance

c) By the shedding of the blood of the Lamb of God on the Cross of Calvary.

"It is finished"- Jesus cried out. As far as He was concerned, His part has been completed to perfection. What remains is for the individual to respond to His offer of salvation, through His atoning death! What a wonderful Saviour we have in Jesus!

Prayerfully,

Pastor Charlie

First released 16th December 2002, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore