December 13, 2016
IT IS FINISHED: GOD'S "I LOVE YOU" TO A FALLEN, BROKEN WORLD
John 19:28–42
Wade Souza
Central Truth
Christ's victory on the cross was the compassionate culmination of God's redemptive plan. Jesus surrendered His body to suffer for the sins of all who believe in Him. By faith in His death and resurrection, we are assured of eternal life and share in Jesus' glory of "It is finished."
Key Verse | John 19:30
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30)
John 19:28–42
The Death of Jesus
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Jesus' Side Is Pierced
31 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
Jesus Is Buried
38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus 1 19:39 Greek him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds 2 19:39 Greek one hundred litras; a litra (or Roman pound) was equal to about 11 1/2 ounces or 327 grams in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Dive Deeper | John 19:28–42
No sweeter, more liberating words have ever been uttered in the course of human history than "It is finished." These are the three little words that every sinner longs to hear. Rather than through our own futile efforts, complete forgiveness and salvation are available through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.
"It is finished" is Jesus' victory cry. At the cross, Jesus proves that the power of God is greater than the power of sin and Satan.
"It is finished" is the ultimate illustration of God's sovereignty over mankind's sinfulness (see Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28). Evil's greatest effort to nail God to a tree results in nothing less than an exclamation point to God's sovereignty.
"It is finished" is Jesus' declaration of divinity, even in death. Jesus' death fulfilled God's redemptive plan (in place before the creation of the world, Ephesians 1:4-5), as well as fulfilling the Law and the Old Testament prophecies to the most miraculous of degrees.
"It is finished" is Jesus' plea of "I love you!" echoing throughout eternity. If you've ever wondered if God loves you, look to the cross. There, God in the flesh hung. Beaten. Bloodied. Mocked. Mutilated. Sinless, He suffered. Innocent, He endured. For the guilty, He took the punishment.
In my life, believing "It is finished" changed everything. Though "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), Christ paid my debt, in full. Every ounce of punishment I rightfully deserve from a lifetime of rebelling against a perfectly holy, just, and loving God was purchased, paid for, and pardoned by Christ's blood on the cross. The selfishness. The sexual immorality. The self-hate. The misguided success. The gambling. The partying. The porn. The pride. With all my might, I tried to crucify Christ. At my rock bottom, Christ mercifully cried out to my heart, "It is finished!" Overwhelmed, I relented and surrendered to God's amazing grace.
Christ taught us on the cross that without surrender, there is no victory. I pray that you will faithfully surrender your heart, soul, and mind to God for His glory, for your eternal good, and for your present freedom.
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas of your life are you believing that the power of sin is greater than the power of God?
2. What perspective does Jesus' suffering give you about the purpose of your own suffering?
3. How does the detailed fulfillment of prophecies and continuity of God's redemptive plan throughout the Bible affect your faith?
4. In light of all the pain and suffering in this world, how can you be certain that God loves you?