John 19:25-30 KJV
25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.
John 19:28-30 Amplified Bible
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said in fulfillment of the Scripture, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of [d]sour wine was placed there; so they put a sponge soaked in the sour wine on [a branch of] hyssop 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 [voluntarily] [e]gave up His spirit.
The Most Glorious Words in the Bible
In verse 30 of the scripture above, we find three of the most glorious words in the Bible.
These words are “It is finished.”
I wish I knew why God’s master plan involved a pre-covenant period, and old-covenant period and His final new-covenant with mankind, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But I don’t and likely won’t in this world.
In any event, from the very beginning, all things pointed years and centuries ahead to a hill that would contain three crosses.
Genesis 1:26 Amplified Bible
Then God said, “Let Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, according to Our likeness [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness];
On the middle cross, our Lord Jesus would be crucified, as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
One vital thing to bring to mind as we look at these scriptures is that Jesus willingly gave His life for us.
The Sanhedrin Council or the mighty Roman Empire could NOT take His life had He not been willing to give it. A great gospel song says “He could have called 10,000 angels”, but He didn’t.
To fulfill scripture, He said He was thirsty and a sponge soaked in vinegar was lifted up to His mouth.
When Jesus received the vinegar or sour wine, He proclaimed, “It is finished” and He bowed His head, giving up (voluntarily) His spirit.
When Jesus Said "It is Finished"...
These three words have been used by all of us in our lives, in less important matters. When we have completed a report due at work, we have said it is finished audibly or in our mind. When any of our projects are completed, we have said it is finished audibly or in our mind.
Usually, these words mean that the task is completed and completed as best we could.
Jesus was saying that the task was completed and He had fulfilled the will of the Father.
When Jesus said “it is finished” and then voluntarily gave up His spirit, they were the greatest words ever spoken for all of mankind.
When Jesus said “it is finished” He was stating that He had fulfilled scripture and ushered in the New Covenant with mankind.
When Jesus said “it is finished” He was saying that His persecutors could cause Him no more pain or anguish.
When Jesus said “it is finished” He was saying that all of the old-testament prophecies about His coming and dying were now accomplished, such as, his being sold for thirty pieces of silver, his hands and feet being pierced, his garments divided, etc. All had been fulfilled.
When Jesus said “it is finished” He was saying that the old-testament ceremonial law was now abolished.
When Jesus said “it is finished” He was saying that we no longer have to offer sacrifices and have a high priest approach God on our behalf. Now, we can boldly approach the throne of grace through Him. The veil had been rent. Think about that for a minute.
When Jesus said “it is finished” He was saying His earthly life was now over and He was no more of this world.
When Jesus said “it is finished” He was saying that His work of providing for our redemption and salvation is now completed.
Everything Changed with Those Three Words
On the cross of Calvary, Satan was delivered a fatal blow and God’s wonderful work of grace and mercy was provided to all. The throne of grace and mercy was available to every person, with Jesus as our intercessor.
When Jesus uttered those last 3 words and gave up His spirit, humans could now approach God at any time. Redemption and salvation were ours for the asking.
Christ’s work was done. It was finished.
Let us daily praise God for the cross of Calvary and the blood of Jesus, through which we are reconciled with God and all unrighteousness is washed away by that blood.
Let us praise God for those 3 glorious words.
RVH