By Scott Johnson
When Jesus cried out –"It is Finished"--many blessings on behalf of mankind were "finished" and completed with our Savior's dying breath. A New Covenant had been in the making now for 33 years. The death of Jesus actually proved to be the crowning glory for all his accomplishments on earth on behalf of the human race.
Jesus finished the will of his Father: All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." (Joh 6:37-40 NIV)
Jesus finished bringing light to the world: Then Jesus cried out, "Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. "If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. (Joh 12:44-47 NIV)
Jesus finished becoming like us: Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, "I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises." And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me." Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil-- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb 2:11-18 NIV)
Jesus finished his work to preach the good news on earth: He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luk 4:16-21 NIV)
Jesus finished his work to save sinners: In the hall of Pilate's courtroom
They have brought the Lamb of God. In one voice, they shouted and cried--
Hand him to be crucified. Pilate then asked them a question-- Of what crime this man has done. There is none who had a reason-- But a crafty plot against the Son.
The choice between Christ and Barabbas--A wretched man condemned to death.
Still in one voice they shouted and cried--Hand him to be crucified.
Then stood Barabbas with Christ face to face--In exchange of his dying place.
O what gift Christ amazing grace--He came to die in sinners place.
In Pilate's hall stood the Lamb of God--Though He was blameless and without spot. He gave His all to pay the cause--He bled and died to claim the lost.
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected]