## It Is Finished

## John 19:30

We have been looking back to the events on Calvary to listen to the words which the Lord Jesus Christ spoke from the cross. We have heard the cry of forgiveness as Jesus said, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." We have heard the cry of salvation as Jesus told the penitent thief that "Today thou shalt be with me in paradise." The cry of provision spoken concerning Mary and John. The cry of desertion as He asked, "My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me?" The cry of suffering as Jesus said, "I thirst." And this morning we hear yet another cry. A cry of victory! "IT IS FINISHED!"

Many leave this world with their tasks unfinished. The pen drops from the writer's hand, the artist's brush falls before the painting is done. But Christ is the great Finisher! He "...is the author and finisher of our faith." cf Heb. 12:2 I'm glad that Jesus wasn't a quitter! There were many times that He could have quit, but He pressed on knowing the joy that was beyond the suffering and shame of the cross. Because He didn't quit, we can be saved today. We can have victory through Christ because He was willing to endure the horror of Calvary that we might be saved.

I. This meant that all the prophecies connected with His life and death had been fulfilled.

A. The Bible is True!

1. It is true because God is true.

2. If God predicts a thing, you can know that it will come to pass.

B. Note just some of the prophecies of Christ fulfilled.

1. He was to be born of a virgin.

2. He would be a descendant of David.

3. He would be named before He was born.

4. He would be born in Bethlehem.

5. He would flee to Egypt.

6. He would have a forerunner.

7. He would cause the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

8. He would be despised and rejected of men.

9. He would be hated without a cause.

10. He would be betrayed by friends.

11. He would be forsaken by His disciples.

12. He would be led to the slaughter, and numbered among transgressors.

13. Soldiers would gamble for His garments.

C. When Jesus said, "It is finished" we know that all these things have come to pass.

1. Since every prophecy concerning His first coming has been fulfilled.

2. We know that all of the prophecies that speak about His second coming will also come to pass.

3. He first came to be the Savior of the world, when He returns He will come as the Judge!

II. This meant that His sufferings were over.

A. He was called the "Man of Sorrows".

1. A fitting title for the One who suffered at the hands of men, Satan, and God.

2. God bruised Him and forsook Him on the cross because He bore our sins.

3. His friends and His enemies inflicted pain upon Him.

4. It was not just on the cross that He suffered, He suffered all through His life.

B. He lived His life under the shadow of the cross.

1. At the wedding in Cana, where all was gladness and laughter, the shadow was there when He said, "My time is not yet come." cf Jn. 2:4

2. When He talked to Nicodemus the shadow was there as He spoke about how the Son of Man would be lifted up. cf Jn. 3:14

3. James and John talked to Him about a place of honor in His kingdom and the shadow was there as He spoke of the cup of suffering that He would have to drink.

4. Peter declared Him to be the "Christ" and He spoke of how He must go to Jerusalem and be killed. cf Mt. 16:21

5. On the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus spoke with Moses and Elijah concerning His death. cf Mk. 9:9-10

C. When Jesus cried, "It is finished!" it meant that all of the suffering was now over.

III. This meant that His work of redemption was accomplished.

A. The work of Christ is now complete.

1. That means nothing needs to be added to His work on Calvary in order to redeem mankind.

2. Men want to add all sorts of things to His work of redemption:

a. Good works

b. Baptism

c. Church membership

d. Tongues etc.

3. When Christ said, "It is finished!" that is exactly what He meant.

B. The will of God for Him was now finished and complete.

1. John 6:38, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent me."

2. He laid aside the robes of royalty and took upon Himself the garments of our sinful humanity for this purpose.

3. He was born for this purpose, He entered His ministry for this purpose, He walked among men for this purpose, He sweat blood in Gethsamane for this purpose, He word the crown of thorns for this purpose, and He died on Calvary for this purpose ...now it is finished!

4. Jesus Christ came to seek and to save the lost...now they can be saved!

5. He came to take away our sins...now He has done so through the shedding of His precious blood.

Is it finished for you? Nearly twenty years ago, it was finished for me. Jesus died for our sins, but we will not find that forgiveness until we come to Christ and accept what He has done for us personally. Do you know the victory of having your sins forgiven? You can know that wonderful experience today! Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation. Will you come?

Christian, are you fulfilling the purpose that God has for your life? Jesus said, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." cf Jn. 20:21 Do you need to come this morning? Let God have His way in your life today.