It Is Finished

In classrooms this time of the year students are beginning to countdown the day until school is finished. In my day, we had a series of quizzes and exams that had to be taken toward the end of the school. If one was diligent, they’d study in order to pass the exam, for them to say “It is finished.”

The problem with tests and exams — for me, that is — is I usually got a few wrong answers. And this night we hear our Lord say, “IT IS FINISHED.” Yet, sometimes we may wonder “is there anymore than need be done?” Well, this evening I want us all to leave here being confident that Your Salvation is an Accomplished Fact.

We are going to briefly look some evidence that Jesus Finished His work, when we examine the Law and the Prophets. Jesus Finished His Word, despite what the world may tell us. In fact, Jesus Finished everything necessary for our salvation.

Jesus Finished According to the Law and Prophets

He fulfilled OT Prophecies about His Passion

His Betrayal () “Awake, sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is my associate,” says the LORD who rules over all. Strike the Shepherd that the flock may be scattered...”

His Suffering () “…a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief . . . He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.”

His Death (, ).

Jesus Observed the Law Perfectly.

He observed it perfectly.

His enemies (), Judas (), Pilate (), and Satan () could find no wrong in Him. And God the Father said so ()

Through faith in Him, His perfection is ours; God does not hold against us our sin against His Law

Christ bore it’s curse.

When laws are broken one has to face the consequences.

Jesus became a curse for us — our substitute — for our breaking God’s law; we are now freed from the curse.

Through this He showed Himself to be the promised Messiah.

All prophecy about Him has been fulfilled completely.

No new revelations of God are needed, for Jesus is the final Word from God (). “…in these last day [God has] spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things...”

Jesus Finished Despite What the World Says

Through this He showed Himself to be the promised Messiah.

His enemies (), Judas (), Pilate (), and Satan () could find no wrong in Him. And God the Father said so ()

Through faith in Him, His perfection is ours; God does not hold against us our sin against His Law

Christ bore it’s curse.

All prophecy about Him has been fulfilled completely.

When laws are broken one has to face the consequences.

No new revelations of God are needed, for Jesus is the final Word from God (). “…in these last day [God has] spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things...”

No new revelations of God are needed, for Jesus is the final Word from God (). “…in these last day [God has] spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things...”

Jesus became a curse for us — our substitute — for our breaking God’s law; we are now freed from the curse.

Part of American Christianity, however, is insistent that we have to DO SOMETHING, for our salvation.

It makes a travesty of Christ’s death for anyone to think that ones efforts, struggles and prayer, words and deeds are still necessary for salvation.

In our past, we may not have done so well on exams. Perhaps we got a few answers wrong, or failed the exam altogether. That is true of us who deserve death, who deserve to be punished. But we are talking about Jesus — the sinless one, who does all things well. You see,

We may have

Jesus Finished Everything Necessary for Our Salvation

The greatest question about, It is Finished, is related to what Jesus did. Was it enough?

Jesus died when He chose to die, only when He knew that all had been accomplished () “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”

The Law and the Prophets say so. Even verse 36 and 37 of today’s gospel tell us that all this happened that Scripture should be fulfilled.

Jesus said, It is finished, and breathed His last at just the right time. Jesus died when He chose to die, only when He knew that everything was accomplished.

His words, “IT IS FINISHED” are the triumphant shout of members of a mountain rescue team who, after arduous effort, succeed in rescuing the lost and injured.

“I lay down my life and I take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.

He knew all things were accomplished according to Scripture ().

Even after he died the soldiers did not break His legs, again fulfilling Scripture that the sin offering must be from an unblemished Lamb. And, they pierced His side, where water and blood flowed.

So, when all the boxes were checked. When every requirement was answered perfectly to accomplish the goal of your salvation, Jesus said “IT IS FINISHED” and He breathed His last. Let those three words, “IT IS FINISHED” give you confidence. When death come and you realize there is still much to be done, let the words, “IT IS FINISHED” calm and cheer you. Because Jesus has finished His task. The resurrection of the dead is ahead of you, eternal life is yours.

Even with Him now dead, Scripture is still being fulfilled. “For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, ‘Not one of His bones shall be broken.’ And again, ‘They shall look on Him whom they pierced.’”

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.