John 19:28 “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.”
Introduction: Every step of Jesus’ journey was leading to the completion of an heavenly assignment. His mission to save the world ended at Calvary. John 19 reveals the uplifted savior fulfilling his prophesy, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” Now Jesus of Nazareth, the savior has been arrested and scourged with a cat of nine tails. Pilate thought that this cruel act of scourging would appease the crowd, but the mob would be satisfied with nothing short of death. Then a crown of thorns was placed on his head and a purple robe was put on him and Jesus was parade before the crowd. Pilate said, “behold the man;” then “behold your king.” Pilate assumed the crowd would be pacified or feel empathy for Jesus, but neither was the case. They cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify Him!
Three times Pilate proclaimed the innocence of Jesus. He confessed, “I find no fault in him.”This scripture is a sad commentary that after a thorough investigation and complete examination, an innocent man could be so mistreated. Today, many walk away from the church and ignore the person of Jesus Christ without examination, nor consideration. Others are tempted to complain and blame God for their problems. We would do well to remember that when we are tempted to complain about what the Lord did or did not do, that there is no fault in Him. There is no failure in God. Yet in spite of being completely innocent, Pilate turned him over to the Jews to be crucified. The scripture said, “They killed Him without a cause.” They crucified our savior between two thieves. That day we can see the three faces of Calvary. That dreadful day, all of mankind was on that hill. They still are. One man died in his sin, one man died to his sin and one man died for our sin. Today, there are some listening who choose to live in sin, other have chose to believe on Jesus Christ, repent and died to their sin, yet Jesus was and is the only one that could die for our sin. One thief wanted to save himself despite his sin, One thief repented of his sin and accepted Jesus as the son of God. He died to his sin. There were soldiers casting lots and dividing his possession, they were there to profit themselves from the situation. John gives a picture of Mary, the mother of Jesus, his sister Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene standing weeping over the Savior. How sad it was that none of these women were accompanied by their sons to stead them or comfort them. Every person on Calvary that day and now must decide, what to do with Jesus. Will you try to use him, profit by him, weep over him or will you receive him?
Jesus refused to die without making provision for his mother’s earthly care. Jesus said, “Woman behold thy son” and then to John he said, “Behold thy mother.” The moving lesson ought to teach us that we might have to endure hard trials alone. Friends will desert us and family will walk away. You see, “a servant is not greater than their Lord. Jesus said, If they have did it unto me, they will do it unto you.” Jesus understood that this was a part of God’s plan. He was fulfilling a foreordained plan of God. He knew where he came from and he knew where he was going. Although his life, he repeated a central phrase, “That the Scriptures might be fulfilled.” The plan of Salvation was complete. The battles have been fierce, the war had been long, and Satan would suffer his final defeat. It is finished was the victory cry of Jesus. John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” Every Scripture had been fulfilled and every act had been completed. The way of Salvation is possible because the remedy for sin was applied.
1. Jesus Satisfied The Sin Debt. Jesus paid the ultimate price that our sin could be forgiven. The sin problem had only one remedy, the blood of Jesus. The bloods of animal sacrifices were inefficient and temporary. Sin is an expensive proposition. The wages of sin is death. It is sad that many have an indifferent attitude towards sin. Sin today is just as sinful in the eyes of God as ever. Whether we are Gentiles and Jewish, bond or free, rich or poor, male or female, white or black and the penalty is the same. Unrepented Sin leads to death. Physical death is separation of the spirit form the body; Spiritual death is separation from God. On Calvary, Jesus built a bridge from death to life. “What can wash away my sin, nothing but the Blood of Jesus, what can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. The cost of Salvation has been paid.
2. Jesus paid the Ultimate Price For Eternal Salvation. Every remedy for Salvation before the Cross was temporary. God’s method of dealing with sin before the cross was the use of sacrifices to cover sin. The word used was atonement or to cover. But the blood of bulls and goats could not and did not remove the consciousness of sin. Those sacrifices caused the sinner to acknowledge their sin and the high cost as animals without spot or blemish were slaughtered. God accepted those sacrifices in anticipation of the shed blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God which would completely eradicate sin and release mankind from penalty of sin.
3. Jesus Finished a Three-Fold Salvation. The great salvation we receive has three tense. We have been saved; we are being saved, and we will be saved. There is a past tense, a present tense and a future tense of salvation. The moment we trust Christ as savior and Lord, we are saved from the penalty of sin, death is no longer a threat. We are secure in the body of Christ. Although we have received new life in Christ, we are being saved from the power of sin. The Holy Spirit empowers us to refuse to allow sin to dominate our lives. We must no longer allow ourselves to be dominated by the world, the flesh or the devil. Although none of us are perfect, we are striving for perfection. The day is coming when we will be saved from the very presence of sin. The born again church will be called up to meet him in the air. There will be no more sickness, no more sorrow, no more sadness or sighing. There will be joy and peace in the presence of God. We can encourage ourselves and not grieve as those who have no hope. Our salvation gives us eternal hope. 1Th 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
4. The Way of Salvation is Finished . The finished implies that nothing more needs to be done. When Jesus spoke His parting last words, He knew that He had completed the work of salvation for all mankind to infinite perfection. The only ingredients we bring is faith in Him as the only begotten Son of God. Every special work needed was completed by Jesus Christ. Our complete redemption, reconciliation, propitiation and provision was finished. It is a done deal! By the awesome work of Christ we are partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light; accepted in the beloved; made the righteousness of God in Christ, made near to God; made sons of God; members of his own family and a part of his household. We are made complete in Christ and so much more. The Child of God has been delivered from the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of His dear son. We have access to every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus in heavenly places. It is finished.
Because Jesus finished His work, paid the full price and made it available, it is not automatic. It is available to the chiefest of sinners. This is the message of the Christian faith. Jesus paid it all and all to Him I owe! Sin had left a crimsoned stain, but washed me white as snow. Everything Jesus purchased with His own blood is available. Salvation, healing, delieverance, prosperity, joy, peace, forgiveness, grace and mercy, are ourselves for the taking. Because it is finished; it is paid for in full; it is steeled forever! We can just believe and receive. We can claim His promises, receive answer to our prayers and so much more. We have the victory! We are not shielded from the troubles of life or the difficulties in the world, but we are victorious. The Victory is ours. Jesus has already won the victory. Every believer can reap the benefits. Satan is a defeated foe. The prince of the world has been judged. He can no longer lord over our lives as believers. We now have the power over the world , the flesh and the devil. It is finished! I know that when Jesus said these words, he still had to die, be buried and raised according to the Scriptures. Yet it was finished. His resurrection testified that the Father was pleased, the sacrifice was received and salvation was available to all who believe. It is finished!
Heb 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”
After hearing the message of so great a salvation, How shall we have any room to hope that we shall escape, neglecting so great and glorious a salvation as that which the gospel sets before us? A salvation so great that it was declared in the law, spoken by the Lord of angels, was confirmed to us by the testimony of Scripture and the witness of Jesus and His disciples. From the cross Jesus preached it with his own lips, It is Finished! Have you taken advantage of His offer? Have you accepted Jesus as the way, the truth and the life? If you refuse or ignore him, How shall you escape the coming judgment of God?
