After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
John 19:28-30
Those three words, “It is finished,” signify the last and greatest act of Jesus Christ for us. There was nothing left for him to do to accomplish our salvation. There was nothing left to stand in the way of him accomplishing our salvation. With these words “It is finished!—all was accomplished.
Our entire salvation is to be found in Christ alone and not anywhere else! He alone has done what we could not do for ourselves. He alone has secured salvation for us through his obedient life and his sacrificial death.
It is finished. Christ has died for you, he was raised for you, he ascended for you, he sits at the right hand of God for you, and he is coming again for you! But this good word, “It is finished” –this was spoken by our Lord as he hung on the cross for our weak consciences! He said this good word so that we would have peace with God—through his work we have peace with God.
By saying “It is finished,” we also have peace in our hearts knowing that our salvation is sure! We have assurance in these words, “It is finished!” All is done already. There is nothing more that you have to do, Christian—Jesus has already done it!
You don’t have to try harder to obey God’s law in order to enter heaven—Jesus has obeyed God’s law for you. You don’t have to measure up. Jesus measured up so that you won’t have to! It is finished.
You can be comforted that God has not forgotten nor forsaken you, because it is finished. God has not left us as abandoned orphans in this world. He has gifted us with his Holy Spirit, and he has given us his Church.
