It is Finished (John 19:30)

Sermon on 5 April 2020 by Pastor Justin Chia

Introduction We are in a four-part series called ‘the road to the cross’. This is the first part.

Message The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is one of the most moving passages of the book of John, chapter 19, verses 17-30. Our King was crucified for telling the truth. The Roman soldiers twisted a crown of thorns on our Lord’s head, mocked Him, and made Him bear His own cross to the place of the Skull. Our Lord looked down from the cross and saw Mary and apostle John. He said, “woman, behold your son” and “son, behold your mother”. When Jesus looked at the people mocking Him, He said “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Ignorance is such a great sin that Jesus had to pray for us. Then Jesus looked at one of the thieves with Him and said “today, you will be with me in paradise”. Then His fourth saying on the cross was near 3pm when it was pitch dark. He cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” The fifth saying – “I thirst”. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit - John 19:30. The sixth saying – “it is finished”. The seventh saying “Father, unto thy Hand, I commit my spirit.” By His own will, our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again - John 10:17 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last - Mark 15:37 It is done. It is accomplished. It is paid in full. Jesus voluntarily died on the cross. Today we focus on the sixth saying of Jesus on the cross – “it is finished”. In Greek, it is only one word – tetelestai, which means to bring to an end; to complete; to accomplish; to pay in full. The same word is used in accounting – meaning the debt has been fully paid. It is a perfect tense in Greek – an act has been done in the past and the result carries forward to the future. This word has tremendous significance. 2000 years ago, Jesus died on the cross, and the result carries forward till today. Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever - Hebrews 13:8 What was finished? 1. The prophecies Man has been waiting for the prophesized Messiah. At Jesus’ death on the cross, all the prophecies were completed. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel - Genesis 3:15 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently; he shall be exalted and extolled and be very high - Isaiah 52:13 2. Every single thing the Father asked Him to do All the work that the Father asked of Him, Jesus did it all. Nothing was incomplete. The blind regained their sight, the dead were resurrected, the lame could walk. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” - John 5:19 We clearly see Jesus’ relationship with the Father. There is nothing of oneself. Jesus did all that the Father commanded. This is something we should imitate. 3. His suffering Jesus’ tremendous pain was finished. Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him - Mark 15:25 The third hour is 9am. All the way to 3pm (the sixth hour), our Lord was hung on the cross via three nails. He endured the pain and the shame. He suffered so much that the Father had to turn away. We thank God for Jesus Christ for His love on the cross. 4. Our redemption and salvation Our Lord Jesus Christ came to give and He died to give, so that we can believe and so that we can live. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life - John 3:16 There is no other way, for He is the way, the truth and the life. Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved – Acts 4:12 Jesus knew no sin, but He died on the cross for our sins, so that we can have the righteousness of God in Christ. This is how He demonstrated His love for us. He is living right now. He is present in our times of trouble. He is Emmanuel – He dwells in us. “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” - 1 Corinthians 15:55 Are we still living in sin? We should be dead to sin, but alive to God. Are we still living in hopelessness? We should not be, for He is our blessed hope. Are we still living in fear? Do not live in fear. He does not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power and sound mind. We can call Him Abba Father. We no longer want to live in sin; we no longer want to live in fear. Our Lord has already given us freedom from the bondage of sin. We want to live a victorious life. Anchor our souls unto Him. Closing Continue to have faith in our Lord, because everything has been done. When Jesus said “it is finished”, He was speaking the truth, for He is the truth!