02 April - It Is Finished!
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 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. 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
Jesus, ‘knowing that everything had now been finished’ (John 19:28).
The gospels record Jesus speaking seven times from the cross. We now come to the final words. Jesus continues to be fully in control. His life has been lived in obedience to his Father’s will. Jesus said in John 4:34, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
‘So that Scripture would be fulfilled’ (John 19:28).
Scripture reveals God’s will. Jesus perfectly knew and accomplishes God’s will. During late 2020 I undertook to read the Bible in three months. I had never read the bible in such a short time before. It gave me a unique overview of God’s plan and purpose and how they all centred in his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Marking the passages in the Old Testament referring to “the Suffering Servant”, as I moved into the gospels, I saw how everything was coming together especially as I came to the end of the Gospel of John. Jesus cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and rose from the dead on the third day.
“I am thirsty” (John 19:28).
Jesus had been scourged, bleeding, hung on a cross under the sun - the “Suffering Servant”. The soldiers, as was the custom at a crucifixion, had a supply of cheap sour wine. They dipped a sponge into it and pressed it to his lips. Jesus then speaks for all to hear.
“It is finished” (John 19:30).
In the original language it is one word. It signifies completion. Jesus’ work was done. But this is no cry of defeat or simply an announcement. This particular word carries the idea that the task given has now been completed, accomplished. The ‘ransom for many’ has been paid in full. “Father, the hour has come. ..... I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (John 17:1,4)
“With that he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30).
This is not the usual way that the gospels speak of death. This word basically means - go to bed. No one took his life from him! Jesus gave his life bearing the punishment and guilt for our sin. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
All the action here is purposively carried out by our Lord Jesus. In giving his life, he bears in full, in his own body on the cross, that punishment for our sin which we justly deserve. Paid in full!
PONDER
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
PROMISE
Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”"
PRAYER
Victorious Lord, you accomplished on the cross our complete redemption. Through your perfect all sufficient sacrifice, sin is conquered, death is destroyed, heaven opened. To God be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Article by the Right Reverend Peter Tasker, the Archbishop of Sydney’s Bishop for International Relations. Bishop Tasker was once the Vicar of St George’s Church, Penang.