Can there be any more startling—or liberating—words in the entire chronicle of human history than those spoken by Christ on the cross just before He died?
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.—John 19:30
It is finished.
Paid in full.
What does it mean? More than we can comprehend, let alone write. But this much we can say.
Because it is finished…
Your sin is paid for. The Son of God was hanging on the cross under the wrath of the Father for our sins. And He paid for them in full.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.—Isaiah 53:5
You are accepted in Christ. Christ’s atonement provides so much more than a future home in Heaven. His victory and salvation through His blood puts me in a spiritual position—“in Christ.”
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.—Ephesians 1:6
You can have victory over sinful habits. When Jesus died on the cross, He broke sin’s hold on us. When you trusted Christ as your Saviour, your old man died, and you can have victory over sin.
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.—Romans 6:6
You can experience Christ living through you. Hutson Taylor called it “the exchanged life.” The Apostle Paul simple called it “not I, but Christ.”
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.—Galatians 2:20
You can trust the love of God for you. We often can’t see God’s purposes behind our suffering, but Christ’s sacrifice on the cross silences any doubt that God is love or that His love can be trusted.
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?—Romans 8:32
You have a message to share with others. The glad realities of salvation should compel us to tell a world lost in sin that there is a Saviour. He already paid for their sin—it is finished. And He rose for their justification. Don’t keep this news to yourself—share the message of salvation with someone else this Easter.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell…—Matthew 28:6–7
All because…it is finished!
