John Chapter Nineteen
For 21 days we will be looking at the 21 chapters of John as a church while we go through 21 days of prayer and fasting.
Today Bianca Burke walks us through John chapter 19.
The Meaning and Significance of John 19:30 - 'It Is Finished'
One of the very last words uttered by Jesus on the cross, “It is finished” in John 19:30, is one of the most important and poignant. The words, “It is finished” are found only in John 19:30. The Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term meaning paid in full.
Jesus is saying in “It is finished” that the debt owed by man to his Creator on account of Adam’s sin is finally and forever dealt with. Jesus, with “it is finished,” is saying not only does He take away mans’ sin, but now He removes it as far as the east is to the west, for it is finished, done, signed and sealed because of the blood of Jesus.
When Jesus said, “It is finished” on the Cross, it means that He provides the only solution to mans’ sin and the only way to God through Himself. It is only through the death of Christ that Christians can put to death their sin and put on Christ.
In His death and resurrection Jesus defeated death in principle and with His decisive victory over death, He is now triumphant over death and the grave.
“It is finished.” And so, what is finished now for us? Thankfully, we are finished with any idea that we somehow must earn our way into heaven. That’s a good thing because we couldn’t do it anyway. We’re finished with rationalizing our sin and excusing it away. Instead, we can repent, confess our sins, receive God’s forgiveness and seek God’s help to do better. We’re finished with focusing only on ourselves. Instead, we can serve our neighbour in love. We’re finished with keeping track of our good works. Since Christ has finished the work for us; there’s nothing to add to it. Salvation is a free gift, accomplished on the Cross of Calvary.
So simply trust in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and in his finished work of redemption. “It is finished.” Jesus dies with the cry of victory on his lips. This is not a moan of the defeated. This is not a weary sigh of relief. Rather it is Jesus’ triumphant cry that now He has fully accomplished the work He came to do. The goal has been reached. With these words, Jesus shouts His victory over sin, death and the enemy. “It is finished.” But it is not over, not by a long shot. No this is just the beginning. The beginning of a whole new life, opening to you and to me.
