It Is Finished

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, would you turn to John the 19th chapter? Boy, how blessed we are to be in a group of this size this morning with so many young voices as well, lifting up praise to God and to be encouraged as we share our faith together. And thank you to the Olympics for doing all of this for so many young people this weekend and all of the sweat and the feeding and everything that was involved in that weekend. But I’m sure it was a rich time for all of these young people, and the Olympics are to be commended for their great act of hospitality. But it is so good to see all of you today. And now it is our turn to watch him there.

Let’s read John 19, beginning in verse 16, actually. So he then delivered him to them to be crucified. They took Jesus, therefore, and he went out bearing his own cross to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in Hebrew Galgotha. There they crucified him. And with him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews. Therefore, this inscription, many of the Jews read, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. And it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. And so the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, Do not write the King of the Jews, but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written.

The soldiers, therefore, when they had crucified Jesus, took his outer garments and made four parts. A part to every soldier, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. They said therefore to one another, let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be, that the scripture might be fulfilled. They divided my outer garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Therefore the soldiers did these things, but there was standing by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, Woman, behold your son. Then he said to the disciple, Behold your mother.

And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, I am thirsty. A jar full of sour wine was standing there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hisseth and brought it up to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, he said, It is finished. And he bowed his head and he gave up his spirit. Much has been said and written about Jesus’ seven statements from the cross. And we have not read all of them in this account. But these should receive the attention that so many have given them. And here’s why.

Ephesians chapter 3 and verse 11. So make no mistake about it. Nobody did anything to Jesus that he did not allow. He is going to lay down his life upon his own initiative and take it up again. John chapter 10 and verse 18. And I’ve always found it interesting and intriguing in John the 18th chapter. When those soldiers along with Judas came to arrest Jesus, he asked them, he approaches them and says, Whom are you seeking? And they say, Jesus the Nazarene. And when he says, I am he, it says they drew back and fell to the ground. I have a lot of questions about that scene. But I tell you one thing that I think I see there’s Jesus conveying to them exactly who it is that they’re dealing with.

And that yes, he is going to surrender to them, and they’re going to take him captive, but it is only because he is allowing it. And as Peter would take out his sword, ready to fight for his kingdom, and takes off Malchus’ ear, and Jesus reaches forth and heals Malchus’ ear. He says to Peter to put up your sword. Do you not know that I have twelve legions of angels that I could call? I’ve always said about this verse, the garden could have gotten crowded in a hurry had Jesus so intended. Everything was planned and calculated. He was telling them, even in John 18, do you know who’s really in charge here? And so when we get to the cross itself, Jesus is doing what he’s done throughout his life and his ministry.

He’s teaching.

He’s informing as he dies for the sins of the world. He is teaching very powerful things about his purpose and about the scripture. Likely his first statement, recorded in Luke 23 and verse 34, and only in Luke’s account. Father forgive them. They do not know what they are doing. Isn’t this amazing that during his great suffering, he has concern, not just for those at the foot of the cross, his mother, the beloved disciple, and the other Mary’s there, and all of his disciples who are wondering about where all of these things are headed. His concern is for all men. Even those who are killing it. Father, forgive. They do not know what they are doing. Oh, the silliness of man in need of God’s mercy and help.

I’m reminded in Luke 9 when the Samaritans would not receive Jesus. But James and John get this bright idea in sort of the vein of Elijah. Can you want us to call down fire from heaven and destroy him? Wouldn’t that be spectacular? And Jesus says, You do not know what kind of spirit you are of. I did not come to destroy, but to save. And that’s what he’s saying at Calvary. I did not come to destroy, but to save. Father, forgive me. And then there’s the thief, who even more poignantly demonstrates his desire to save and to extend the grace of God to man. This thief who is receiving justly by his own admission, tells the other thief, do not rail against Jesus, and then appeals to Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

We said about that in recent days, how remarkable it is that he understood that the kingdom didn’t end with Jesus’ death. For some reason he still believes in this kingdom, even though Jesus is dying next to him. That’s something a lot of his disciples didn’t believe and understand. And so when he made this faithful appeal, remember me when you come into your kingdom, Jesus says, Today you shall be with me in paradise. Even while he is dying for the sins of everyone, he saves this undeserving one to demonstrate his marvelous grace. And then there’s the text we just read in John 17. Woman, behold your son. The beloved disciple, he says to him, Behold your mother. Why is this there? None of the other accounts mention this incident, or the beloved disciple being at the foot of the cross.

I think the primary thing that we’re being told in John chapter 19 is that the author of this book is an eyewitness to the crucifixion, that he is there. And this intimate relationship that’s being described as the beloved disciple that Jesus would entrust the care of the mother that he loves, who is watching her son die. He would entrust her care to him. It would indicate the great affection that Jesus had for her and the close relationship with this disciple. And then as the crucifixion scene approaches its final hour. The great anguish of his suffering when he says, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? A lot of speculation has followed that statement. Was he truly separated from God? Was God turning his face because he bore the curse of sin?

Was there a break in fellowship with God because he bore such a curse? I’ve always liked the author who said, who really knows what happened in the Godhead that day? I don’t know that I can speak to all of that. I know he is still making an appeal to God. He still believes the Father is listening to him as he dies upon the cross. And furthermore, I think the more significant point being made of this statement is that it is a direct quotation of Psalm 22. These are the words of David to talk about his own flight and difficulties. And it seems as if God is so far away. And certainly, as Jesus is dying on the cross, the Father has never seen so far away.

As he did in that moment of suffering. But more. I think, like I said earlier, Jesus is teaching. Jesus is telling all of the onlookers at that scene and us. You want to know what’s happening here? Go back and read Psalm 22. It’s more than verse 1 that enters into this scene. But this whole psalm is reflecting of his suffering. And then in the text of John 19, I am thirsty. Again, we talk about this as evidence of his humanity. Jesus lived and died as a man. He fully identified with the human condition. He was tempted at all points as we are. Yet without sin, the scripture says. He was made like his brethren in all things. Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 17. That’s being identified here.

But again, even more.

It says that the scripture might be fulfilled, and he says, more on this in just a moment, when he says, knowing that all things had already been accomplished in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, not by the statement of the words, I am thirsty, but by the response of his crucifiers. They hand him the jar full of sour wine. Psalm 69. In Psalm 69 and verse 21, a fulfillment of scripture. Yes, even the enemies of Jesus fulfilled the scripture. They also gave me gall for food and for my thirst. They gave me vinegar to drink. And even now, it’s greater than the fulfillment of that one verse. Look at all of Psalm 69. Save me, O God. For the waters have threatened my life. Verse 4, those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head.

Those who would destroy me are powerful, he says. And the whole Psalm is really reflective again of the suffering that’s going on. So John’s account does not provide this final statement. Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit. Again. Found in Luke 23 and verse 46. This simply summarizes not just his final breath, but the totality of his earthly life.

And again, a quotation from Psalm 31. And like in the previous passages, Psalm 22 and Psalm 69, he’s saying, look at Psalm 31. Jesus is still teaching at the cross. Go back to those psalms. See what this is all about. And then the statement, the sixth statement. That short little statement. It is finished. To be overlooked. A simple three-word sentence. I want to suggest to you that this is more than just the agony of a dying man. While Jesus is yet to be raised. And the day of Pentecost is yet fifty days away when the gospel would first be preached. The importance of this event is that it irrevocably sends in motion God’s plan to save. It is finished, is more than just the death of a dying man.

As we saw in our study in Zechariah chapter 3, that the branch in one day will remove sin from the land. That’s what’s being pictured. I wonder if these passages might have come to the mind of Jesus as he died upon the cross. The curse is lifted. Sin’s power has been vanquished. I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day, and the result of that day’s events is that the blessings will be so great that everyone would invite his neighbor to come sit under his vine and fig tree. Too great to be hoarded for oneself. There are four things that I think are indicated by Jesus’ words. It is finished. And may these help us as we prepare our minds to partake of his supper today.

1. Concluded the Excruciating Suffering of His Life

Number one, it is finished. Yes. Concluded the excruciating suffering of his life.

2. The Demands of Justice for Sin Have Been Accomplished

He took upon himself the form of a servant, was made in the likeness of man, and humbled himself even unto death. Even death on a cross. Isaiah 53 accomplished in exquisite detail. But that’s not all. The demands of justice for sin have been accomplished. As the Hebrew writer would say, without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. That Jesus came the first time to bear the sins of many, and he will come a second time without reference to sin. But he came to deal with the problem of our sin and to meet the demands of justice that all the slaughter of innocent animals could not do. Those untold thousands of animal sacrifices, the innocent for the guilty that could not remove sin, Jesus in one day.

3. The Portrait of Jesus' Example Is Now Complete

The perfect example of the perfect son dying on the cross one time, bearing the sins of many. But even more. I mentioned his example. It is finished. The portrait of Jesus’ example is now complete. He has lived a sinless life. He has left us an example that we should follow in his steps. The portrait is complete.

4. It Is Finished: God's Great Redemptive Plan

We can be told by Paul, be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love just as Christ did. I think sometimes it’s easy for us to get distracted from the model of Jesus’ life. And think that the model of Jesus’ life is just doing church. We’re coming here to worship. I know he wants us to worship and to honor him as Savior and King. And we forget about that Jesus provided a model for living, a way of thinking. We’ll come with that, back with that in the conclusion of the sermon in a minute. So the blueprint and model for successful living is permanently etched into history. And then finally, it is finished. God’s great redemptive plan. Again, the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

The long Bible story. The conflict between good and evil. The promise made to David and even more promise made to Abraham. That through his descendants shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. All coming to fruition. Again, like I said, some people say, well, but it wasn’t all done at Calvary. I mean, Jesus still had to be raised, and the gospel still had to be preached on the day of Pentecost. And furthermore, the end of the world is not yet come. When the kingdom will be delivered back up to God, and God will be all in all, 1 Corinthians chapter 15. No, all of that hasn’t happened, but I want to tell you when Jesus died on the cross, what God had planned could not be reversed by man.

If they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. First Corinthians 2 and verse 8. When Jesus breathed his last, God at once. The resurrection was inevitable. The preaching of the gospel was inevitable. Souls coming into the kingdom and being his temple were inevitable. And the last day is inevitable. Let us appreciate what our Savior did for us that day as we partake of his memorial. Christians have been partaking of this memorial ever since that great day of Pentecost.

It says in Acts chapter 2 and verse 42. This is not just something we’ve done every week since we’ve become Christians. This is not habit and routine. This is one way that we give honor to our King who died for us. This is what He wants us to do to remember His sacrifice.

Number ninety two. Oh father, I say what I through.

Conclusion

What Daniel was politely trying to say was that I went too long in the first part. But this all begs for this question. What is a suitable response for what Jesus has done? You know, young people, there’s a passage in 1 Timothy 5 and verse 4 that means a lot more to me now than it did when I was younger. The passage about requiting your parents. As I get older, I hope my kids are listening. To 1 Timothy chapter 5 and verse 4. But one thing I remember when I was a kid, that I could never repay my mom and dad for all that they did for me. When they fed me when I couldn’t feed myself, when they have provided for me through the years, I can never ultimately requite and repay my parents for all that they did.

And more important than all of that is that they introduced me to the Lord from a very early age. And boy, that’s something to be thankful for.

How much more the Heavenly Father to his children. What’s a suitable response? Nothing’s adequate. We can work tirelessly, worship continually, pray fervently, hours upon hours, and every day, and we will have not done all that we should have done. We could never do enough. But may I suggest to you three things in conclusion. Number one, we need to submit to him and receive his cleansing. His gracious offer to us, cleansed by the washing of water with the word. Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 26. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her and be subject to your husband. Just as we are to be subject to Christ is the implication. Submission and cleansing, reverence and all. Do not refuse him who is speaking.

We have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us serve acceptably with reverence and all. And as you have received Christ Jesus, so walk in him. Rooted and established in your faith, he would say, and then finally overflowing with gratitude. And may our worship today be a reflection of the gratitude in our heart. And may that eventuate in the lifestyle implications of being his child, of being redeemed by the Lamb. May we go out and then walk as evidence of how thankful we are in reverence and all, submission having been cleansed from our sins. We’re going to conclude this morning with a psalm. I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary. It doesn’t seem very long ago to me now.

Thirty years ago. As I listened to D. Bowman preach the gospel at the Florida College lectures. I was a sophomore. I decided sitting in those very hard bleachers that night in Con Gymnasium. I decided I was going to spend my life in the preaching of the gospel.

I made that decision then, not knowing what the track of my life would look like. Thirty years later, despite times of discouragement and difficulty, frustration, wondering at times if I should do something else.

And that’s why.

When I get discouraged, when I stumble. When the Lord’s people frustrate me. And perhaps I frustrate them. I come back to the hill called Mount Calvary. But the real problem that this song points out, this hill is the anchor of our existence. But will I believe whatever the cost? Sometimes the cost is greater than I would like. Than I really want to pay. But I must remind myself. He paid more than I ever will. He paid what I could not. And I could never repay him fully for what he did. But here’s your challenge. Will you believe whatever the cost? Young people, you’re going to go through difficult stages in your life. You’re going to sit at the feet of teachers who are atheists and evolutionists and who reject this book and the inspired word of God.

People are going to disappoint you. Your spouse is going to disappoint you. Perhaps other family members, your brethren in Christ at times will disappoint you. But you have to be convicted.

And I’ll believe whatever the cost.

And you need to be redeemed from a futile way of life to serve the risen king and to enjoy all the blessings that he gives his people. If you need to respond, come now as we stand and sing.