It Is Finished
A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:29-30
It’s not over until it is over. This was a saying of a famous baseball player known for his basic silly comments. I think about several things that are done. Some of them like the finale of a TV series or last chapter of a book are officially done. However, there are times those things are not really over. How many of you thought we really were done with Rocky after the movie ‘Rocky III?’ Didn’t we think ‘Saved By The Bell’ was finally over? Well, these are all cases where things that we thought were done were not really done. My mom telling me if I touched her pen one more time that she was going to kill me was not the end of me. Close, but not the end (giggle). So, we know lots of things that are finished, but there is no certainty that they are truly finished.
When we think about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we know that it was another case when people thought it was done when it truly wasn’t done. However, when we hear the words of Christ, it is easy to understand why they would think that way. The onlookers were seeing Him on the cross and even those who believed that He was the Messiah heard Him cry out these words: It is finished. Even the most ardent followers had to have the belief that this indeed was the end of the saga. We of course know that was not the case, and they would soon learn as much. But here is the question we were left with. What was finished? Why did Jesus say that?
The death of Christ ended the penalties of our sins and began a new life for us. One of the things I reflected on was why Jesus chose those words. Of the last words of someone dying, it would seem to me that “I’m done,” is the more likely response. However, we also know that Jesus rose from the grave to give us a pathway to eternal life. So, while He was not done, why choose those words? Many would refer to the fact Jesus’ work was finished on earth. But was it really that simple? No. What makes sense is that His life and experience was a living testimony for all of us. In the Old Testament there were living sacrifices such as a lamb or goat for sin. If we look at the life of Christ, we can ask all the questions about who Jesus is, and He answers them affirmatively. Was He perfect? Yes. Was He a teacher? Yes. Was He tempted and resist? Did He love others? Did He heal the sick? Did He make a new covenant for God? Is He our savior? All yes although as one comedian asked, “If Jesus is the answer, who took my five dollars?” 😊 Finally and most importantly, Jesus was the perfect answer to the greatest of our problems; how can we be reconciled with God if we have the endless problem of sin? When Jesus said, “It is finished,” it was the sacrifice for all sin; past, present, and future. It left no margin for error and ensured all bases were covered. It was the end of the barriers between God and us. Not Jesus’ life. We are no longer burdened by our past. The price of sins or debt to God is paid in full.
God’s perfect design ensured that all who would have the opportunity to come to Him could do so. Even Jesus tasting the wine at the end foretold of His reversing our fortunes for in Revelation 21:6 it was written, “And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.” None of this would be possible until Jesus did what He did. While we are saddened by the suffering He went through for us, we are eternally grateful for His sacrifice. As we move toward the most Holy of holidays, let us remember what Jesus’ death meant to us and be grateful because of the life we were given. What will you reflect on the life given by Jesus today? How can you show thanks to God for His sacrifice? My prayer is that we trust Jesus when He says, “It is finished!” Amen!