Angry shouts filling the air, curses, beatings, humiliation, pain. And then, the final words from Jesus, “It is finished”. The event of Jesus bearing the cross is a familiar one for most Christians. But how much time do we spend truly reflecting on this moment? Recently, I was reading through the book of Matthew again and came across the account of Jesus’ arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Churches and media everywhere commonly refer to this event on Easter or in movies. But take a moment to really put yourself into that moment. Picture what it would’ve been like to be there.
Imagine for a moment how Jesus would have felt. He was on trial for crimes he never committed, and many false witnesses even gave testimony against him (Matthew 26:59-60). Has someone ever falsely accused you? What about falsely accusing you on this level? You’re brought before the governor of the land and everyone is screaming obscenities at you. They are saying you did things that you didn’t do and calling for your execution.
The people even went so far as to spit at Jesus, to slap him, and beat him. Yet, he did not say a word against them nor try to defend himself (Matthew 26:67, Matthew 27:14). In that moment, wouldn’t most of us have tried to at least speak up for ourselves? “I never did that…” To try and give any rebuttal against the false claims. However, Jesus kept silent during his trial because he had a greater purpose to accomplish.
It Is Finished – Why Jesus Bore the Cross
Despite all of this, Jesus went ahead and bore the cross. He did this to open up a path to salvation and to atone for our sins with his blood. Jesus suffered insults and mocking, even as he hung on the cross (Matthew 27:42-44). However, there was only one thing on his mind. We can understand what that was through the final words he spoke in John 19:30,
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
So, what was this “it” that Jesus had finished before dying on the cross?
To Finish Sin?
I’ve heard many different answers regarding this verse and what Jesus meant. Some people say that Jesus meant ‘it’ was the end of sin since our sins can be atoned for through his righteous blood. But we all know that sin still exists today. Who would be bold enough to claim that they live a perfectly righteous life? We all know we are still sinners to this day, so “it” cannot be referring to sin.
Furthermore, if he did finish sin, then why are people still dying today? According to Romans 6:23 the wages of sin is death. So if sin was finished, shouldn’t death be finished as well? In God’s original plan and intention for creation, back in the Garden of Eden, there was no sin nor death. Adam walked with God and had life before he turned his back on God’s command. It was because of sin that death also came.
To Finish God’s Work?
Others say that Jesus meant God’s work was finished at that point. However, if God had finished His work, then why is the world still in such a state? I mean, if you turn on the news even for just a few minutes, you will see countless tragedies. There is so much suffering going on worldwide. That is not in line with what God wants (Lamentations 3:33). So it’s hard to believe that God has finished all that He set out to do. There’s also the fact that Jesus promised to return and complete God’s work. So that idea of finishing God’s work doesn’t hold up against what the Bible says. So, going back to John 19:30, what is this “it” that Jesus referred to, according to the Bible?
What Jesus Actually Finished
Fulfilling the Old Testament Prophecies About Himself
We can clearly see that Jesus had a set objective to achieve when we look at the work he did. Jesus himself even said,
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
Matthew 5:17
From this, we can see that Jesus came with the purpose of fulfilling the law and the prophets. Or more simply, he came to fulfill the prophecies made in the Old Testament. Jesus had a very specific purpose and specific tasks to complete. He didn’t say things based on his own desires or what he thought was best. He spoke according to what God told him to say. And he acted according to the promises of the prophets in the Old Testament.
Take a Closer Look
Now, if you go back to the gospels with an eye to notice Jesus fulfilling prophecies, you’ll realize that every action he does was to fulfill a prophecy. Even his birth is the fulfillment of a promise God gave to the prophet Isaiah.
“Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14
700 years later, an angel appeared to Mary. He told her that she would give birth to a child conceived from the Holy Spirit. And so, the prophecy was fulfilled.
“…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said…. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet…”
Matthew 1:20-22
I challenge you to reread the gospels. You’ll notice that everything Jesus said and did was to fulfill the prophecies that were promised hundreds of years before. In doing this, he proved that he was the Messiah sent by God.
Establishing A New Covenant
Now you might be wondering, didn’t Jesus come to die on the cross and shed his blood for our sins? Yes, Jesus did come to provide an atonement sacrifice for the sins of mankind (Matthew 26:28). This was also prophesied in advance (Isaiah 53).
However, there was more to this act of shedding his blood. Jesus established a new covenant with his blood that was meant to be kept by those who believe in him.
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
Luke 22:20
There is usually some type of seal or signature given when you make a promise or contract. Whether it’s in the form of a handshake or a signature, there must be proof and validation of agreement. On a much greater level, a promise made between God and his people is called a covenant. The covenant is sealed with blood (Exodus 24) because the terms of God’s covenants ultimately result in life or death. So when Jesus established this new covenant (which was also prophesied about in advance, see Jeremiah 31:31-33), he established and sealed it with his blood.
It was through this act of going to the cross, enduring horrible and brutal torture and pain that God’s promise to establish a new covenant was fulfilled. And with that, all of the prophecies of the Old Testament regarding Jesus were finished.
“It is finished.”
It Is Not All Finished…Yet
If everything had finished there, then we would have no need for a New Testament. God’s work would have been completed 2,000 years ago. And everyone would be dwelling in heaven with God, because that is his ultimate objective. But, as we can very clearly see, that’s not the case. So, Jesus may have finished part of the work at that time, but there is still more to be accomplished.
The Old Testament is not the only part of the Bible that contains prophecies. In fact, there is an entire book in the New Testament that contains only prophecies: Revelation. Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament at the time of his first coming. But he also gave promises and prophecies regarding his return (see Matthew 24 and the whole book of Revelation). These prophecies are not fulfilled until another time. In fact, we can see a familiar phrase in Revelation 21:6 when God says, “It is done.” So, until that time when the work is ‘done’, what should we do?
What We Need to Do
Jesus said in John 14:29, “I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.” Jesus prophesied about the events that would take place in the future. So, our task as those who believe in Jesus, who are a part of the covenant he made with his blood, is to know about these prophecies. And then we need to believe in them when they are fulfilled. Seems like a pretty simple task…that is, until we look at what these prophecies include.
Which Prophecies Do We Need to Know?
I don’t know about you, but the first time I read Revelation, it felt like I was reading a sci-fi doomsday novel with all the beasts and the dragon and natural disasters. So, it can be natural to want answers and explanations regarding this content. We might be tempted to make a guess or two about what it really means. However, this is not what God has called us to do. It is very clearly stated in Revelation 22:18-19 that we should not add to or subtract from the prophecies. In other words, we have to hold on to the promises as they were given, without opinions, without commentaries so that we can recognize and believe in them when they are fulfilled.
I hope that all of us can become those that do not overlook the sacrifice that Jesus made. I also hope we can take up the task of learning and knowing the promises he made about the work that would follow his death on the cross. Jesus’ first coming was a needed step in the process of God’s plan, but it was not the end. So, since one chapter has come to a close, I hope we can all become the main characters of the second chapter that has begun.
“So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”
Hebrews 9:28
Written by Lily
Read More
You can read more God’s promises and plan for us in these posts!
Have You Kept Your Promises with God?
Also, make sure to follow us on Instagram for daily verses, prayers and encouragement!
Subscribe to As It Is in Heaven!
If you’d like to stay up to date on our newest posts, make sure to subscribe below!