It Is Finished
It Is Finished
John 19:28-30 “Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the 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.” (NIV)
Events leading up to this moment –
Jesus traveled for 3 years bringing a fresh and true message of God to the people.
He only offense is that he has challenged the authority of the religious leaders of his day.
They have used their religion as means of power and control over people, but Jesus brought a message
of hope and freedom.
The leaders have plotted against him and finally succeeded in calling for his death by crucifixion. So
now, in this scene, Jesus is dying on the cross.
Let me ask you, who killed Jesus?
1. The Roman government carried out the execution. So you could say the Romans killed him.
2. But, the Jewish religious leaders called for the execution. So you could say the Jews killed him.
3. But then, God ordered and planned the whole thing. So you could say God killed him.
4. But, it was for our sins that he died. So you could say we killed him.
Verse 19 says “…all was now completed…” What was completed? The payment for sin was
completed. Salvation’s price was accomplished. “The wages of sin is death…” Now, that wage has
been paid and satisfied.
Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the
shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Under the old covenant there was a series of required animal sacrifices for the covering of sins. Some
were offered for specific sins; others were offered for sins in general (just in case someone missed a
specific occasion of sin).
Now, under the new covenant (or new agreement with God) one sacrifice (Jesus – the sacrifice Lamb of
God) covers all sins.
Hebrews 9:12-15 “ He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most
Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and
bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that
they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we
may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are
called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free
from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (NIV)
Now, if you read the whole book of Hebrews, it explains that the old covenant and the old sacrifices were
just symbols, or illustrations, pointing to the new covenant and sacrifices. All of the Old Testament
(Genesis – Malachi) points to the coming of Jesus and His work of salvation.
Isaiah, the prophet explained in advance,
“ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from
whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he
was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us
peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of
us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:3-6 NIV)
Many of you have seen flocks of sheep. They tend to wander off and the shepherd and his dog have to
keep rounding them up to keep them together. The prophet says that people are like that and God, like
a shepherd, has come looking for us to rescue us.
Now, the last words Jesus spoke before He died are powerful. He said:.
“…It is finished…” The word he used here was a financial term meaning a debt had been paid.
Payment for sin is finished. There is nothing left to pay – no further payment due.
Illustrate with bottle of coke – drink it all.
Look at Hebrews 10:10-12 “ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again
and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had
offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” (NIV)
The good news of the gospel is this – Your sins are completely covered by the death and resurrection of
Jesus. The Bible explains that “…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ…” You don’t have to earn a position with God. It is totally by His grace and His kindness.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died
for us.
It is done! It is finished! Jesus did not say, “I have laid a foundation; now you finish the work.” No! He
said, “It is finished!”
Paul makes this message clear:
“ You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly
portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by
observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (Galatians 3:1-3 NIV)
Now, here is my message to you today. Enjoy God’s grace. Enjoy His salvation. Enjoy the new life He
has given you through the sacrifice of His Son.
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…
Don’t frustrate yourself trying to do religious works to earn God’s love. He loved you when you were at
your worst. He still loves you even when you make mistakes.
Now understand me, live the best life you can for Him. Obey His Word and His will. But don’t do it to
earn His love. Do it to honor Him. Do it because you want to please Him. Do it because you love Him.
Most religions teach that you must follow certain rules and rituals in order to gain God’s approval. Jesus
teaches us that God already loves us. We just need to love Him back.
John 19:28-30 “Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the 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.” (NIV)
Events leading up to this moment –
Jesus traveled for 3 years bringing a fresh and true message of God to the people.
He only offense is that he has challenged the authority of the religious leaders of his day.
They have used their religion as means of power and control over people, but Jesus brought a message
of hope and freedom.
The leaders have plotted against him and finally succeeded in calling for his death by crucifixion. So
now, in this scene, Jesus is dying on the cross.
Let me ask you, who killed Jesus?
1. The Roman government carried out the execution. So you could say the Romans killed him.
2. But, the Jewish religious leaders called for the execution. So you could say the Jews killed him.
3. But then, God ordered and planned the whole thing. So you could say God killed him.
4. But, it was for our sins that he died. So you could say we killed him.
Verse 19 says “…all was now completed…” What was completed? The payment for sin was
completed. Salvation’s price was accomplished. “The wages of sin is death…” Now, that wage has
been paid and satisfied.
Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the
shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Under the old covenant there was a series of required animal sacrifices for the covering of sins. Some
were offered for specific sins; others were offered for sins in general (just in case someone missed a
specific occasion of sin).
Now, under the new covenant (or new agreement with God) one sacrifice (Jesus – the sacrifice Lamb of
God) covers all sins.
Hebrews 9:12-15 “ He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most
Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and
bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that
they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit
offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we
may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are
called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free
from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (NIV)
Now, if you read the whole book of Hebrews, it explains that the old covenant and the old sacrifices were
just symbols, or illustrations, pointing to the new covenant and sacrifices. All of the Old Testament
(Genesis – Malachi) points to the coming of Jesus and His work of salvation.
Isaiah, the prophet explained in advance,
“ He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from
whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he
was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us
peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of
us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:3-6 NIV)
Many of you have seen flocks of sheep. They tend to wander off and the shepherd and his dog have to
keep rounding them up to keep them together. The prophet says that people are like that and God, like
a shepherd, has come looking for us to rescue us.
Now, the last words Jesus spoke before He died are powerful. He said:.
“…It is finished…” The word he used here was a financial term meaning a debt had been paid.
Payment for sin is finished. There is nothing left to pay – no further payment due.
Illustrate with bottle of coke – drink it all.
Look at Hebrews 10:10-12 “ And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again
and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had
offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” (NIV)
The good news of the gospel is this – Your sins are completely covered by the death and resurrection of
Jesus. The Bible explains that “…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ…” You don’t have to earn a position with God. It is totally by His grace and His kindness.
Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died
for us.
It is done! It is finished! Jesus did not say, “I have laid a foundation; now you finish the work.” No! He
said, “It is finished!”
Paul makes this message clear:
“ You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly
portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by
observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (Galatians 3:1-3 NIV)
Now, here is my message to you today. Enjoy God’s grace. Enjoy His salvation. Enjoy the new life He
has given you through the sacrifice of His Son.
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…
Don’t frustrate yourself trying to do religious works to earn God’s love. He loved you when you were at
your worst. He still loves you even when you make mistakes.
Now understand me, live the best life you can for Him. Obey His Word and His will. But don’t do it to
earn His love. Do it to honor Him. Do it because you want to please Him. Do it because you love Him.
Most religions teach that you must follow certain rules and rituals in order to gain God’s approval. Jesus
teaches us that God already loves us. We just need to love Him back.
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