Settled Long Ago

John 19:30 NASB 2020

Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”

Introduction

It was not a haphazardly thing, nor a secondary scheme; but, it was the plan of the Lord to redeem. Redemption did not begin at the cross, the cross is where redemption was completed.

When Jesus cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30), He was not whispering defeat. He was declaring that the long-standing debt of humanity had finally been paid. The old hymn says, “There was a time on earth when in the book of Heaven, an old account was standing for sins yet unforgiven.” That account began in Eden and grew through generations.

I. Redemption Began in the Heart of God

Before there was sin, there was a Savior.

— Christ was foreknown before the foundation of the world.1 Peter 1:20

Redemption is rooted in God’s eternal love, not human effort.

Homiletical Insight: The hymn’s “old account” was not a surprise to God. He had already prepared the payment.

II. Redemption Was Promised in the Garden

— God announces the coming Redeemer.

Genesis 3:15 NASB 2020

And I will make enemies Of you and the woman, And of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise Him on the heel.”

The moment humanity fell, God moved toward us with grace.

Homiletical Insight: The account began with Adam, but so did the promise of settlement.

III. Redemption Was Finished at the Cross

— “It is finished” means “paid in full.” John 19:30

John 19:30 NASB 2020

Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”

The hymn declares, “The old account was settled long ago.”

At Calvary, the eternal plan became a historical reality.

Homiletical Insight: The cross is heaven’s receipt. The debt is canceled. The record is cleared.

Conclusion

A favorite story of the little boy who built a sailboat. He built the sail and had it all fixed up, tarred and painted. He took it to the lake and pushed it in hoping it would sail. Sure enough a wisp of breeze filled the little sail and it billowed and went rippling along the waves. Suddenly before the little boy knew it, the boat was out of his reach, even though he waded in fast and tried to grab it. As he watched it float away, he hoped maybe the breeze would shift and it would come sailing back to him. Instead he watched it go farther and farther until it was gone. When he went home crying, his mother asked, "What's wrong, didn't it work?" And he said, "It worked too well."

Some time later, the little boy was downtown and walked past a second hand store. There in the window he saw the boat. It was unmistakably his, so he went in and said to the proprietor, "That's my boat." He walked to the window, picked it up and started to leave with it. The owner of the shop said, "Wait a minute, Sonny. That's my boat. I bought it from someone." The boy said, "No, it's my boat. I made it. See." And he showed him the little scratches and the marks where he hammered and filed. The man said, "I'm sorry, Sonny. If you want it, you have to buy it." The poor little guy didn't have any money, but he worked hard and saved his pennies. Finally, one day he had enough money. He went in and bought the little boat. As he left the store holding the boat close to him, he was heard saying, "You're my boat. You're twice my boat. First you're my boat 'cause I made you and second you're my boat 'cause I bought you!"

If you ever think that you aren't worth much and if you think you're cheap, just remember what God thinks of you. He thinks you're His. Twice His. First you're His because He made you. And second you're His because He bought you on the cross. He paid a price to redeem you. So let go of your stress to God's care, and let go of your sins to God's cross.

Source Unknown.

Because the account is settled, we stand forgiven, free, and forever secure in Christ. The work is finished. The debt is paid.

The Savior has spoken.