“It is finished,” spoken by Jesus on the cross (John 19:30), signifies the completion of His earthly mission of redemption, where He fully paid the price for humanity’s sins. This phrase emphasizes the fulfillment of prophecy and the establishment of a new covenant between God and humanity.
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28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”
29 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.
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
“It Is Finished” Biblical Significance
The phrase “It is finished,” articulated by Jesus in John 19:30, carries profound theological significance, marking the culmination of His redemptive work on the cross. In this declaration, Jesus expresses the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies that foretold His suffering and sacrificial death as the Lamb of God (Isaiah 53:5; John 1:29). Through this statement, He affirms that the debt owed for the sins of humanity has been fully paid (Romans 3:24-26), establishing a new covenant that redefines the relationship between God and humankind. The veil of the temple, torn at the moment of His death (Matthew 27:51), symbolizes the removal of barriers that once separated people from direct communion with God, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of His sacrificial love.
Moreover, “It is finished” encompasses not only the physical act of crucifixion but also the spiritual victory over sin, death, and the devil (Colossians 2:13-15). Jesus’ death and resurrection reset the course of human history, offering believers the assurance of salvation and eternal life (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:3-5). By proclaiming the completion of His mission, Jesus invites followers to live in the freedom of grace, no longer bound by the law but empowered by the Spirit (Galatians 5:1). This transition invites believers into a new reality, where they are called to share the message of grace and reconciliation with the world, fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). In essence, the phrase embodies not just an end, but a transformative beginning for all of humanity.
The proclamation of “It is finished” invites believers to contemplate the concept of divine triumph and the new beginning it represents. This declaration underscores the notion that through Christ’s sacrifice, the old covenant, characterized by the law and sacrifices, has been rendered obsolete. The book of Hebrews eloquently articulates this shift by emphasizing the insufficiency of animal sacrifices to truly atone for sin, illustrating that it was only the perfect and sinless offering of Jesus that could satisfy divine justice (Hebrews 9:12-14). His final words signify the establishment of an unshakeable foundation for faith, anchoring believers in grace and the assurance of their righteous standing before God.
Furthermore, “It is finished” encourages a deep reflection on the nature of God’s love, which is unconditional and all-encompassing. This redemptive act invites followers to embrace their identity in Christ as beloved children, shedding the weight of guilt and condemnation. By emphasizing the completeness of Jesus’ work, the New Testament encourages believers to understand that their worth is not tethered to their accomplishments or adherence to the law, but rather rooted in the finished work of Christ. This transformative truth empowers them to embrace their calling, equipping them to live out the gospel in their communities as agents of reconciliation and hope. Thus, the statement serves as both a declaration of completion and an invitation to partake in the ongoing expression of God’s grace and love in a world in need of redemption.
The Fulfillment of Prophecy
The phrase “It is finished” signifies the culmination of numerous prophecies throughout the Old Testament. It represents the completion of God’s redemptive plan, which was foretold by the prophets. This moment marks the transition from the old covenant, characterized by the law and sacrifices, to the new covenant established through Christ’s sacrificial death. The fulfillment of these prophecies underscores the sovereignty of God in orchestrating salvation history.
The Completion of Redemption
In a broader theological context, “It is finished” encapsulates the completion of the work of redemption. This signifies that the necessary sacrifice for the atonement of sin has been made, and no further sacrifices are required. It emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, assuring believers that their sins are fully paid for and that they can now have a restored relationship with God. This completion brings a sense of peace and assurance to the faithful, affirming that salvation is a gift received through faith, not through human effort.
The End of the Old Order
The declaration also marks the end of the old religious system and the beginning of a new way of relating to God. With Christ’s death, the barriers that separated humanity from God were removed, allowing for direct access to the Father. This shift signifies a new era in which believers are called to live in the freedom of grace rather than the constraints of the law. It invites followers to embrace a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, living out their faith in a personal and transformative relationship with Christ.
How to Embrace Salvation and Live Sacrificially as a Christian
Embracing salvation is the beautiful beginning of a transformative journey, and living sacrificially is how we express our gratitude for that gift. To truly embrace salvation, we must first acknowledge our need for grace and the profound love that God has for us, which is beautifully illustrated in John 3:16. Once we accept this gift, we are called to reflect that love in our daily lives. Living sacrificially means putting others before ourselves, whether that’s through acts of kindness, serving in our communities, or simply being present for those in need. It’s about making choices that may not always be convenient but are rooted in love and compassion. Remember, as you navigate this path, it’s not about perfection but about progress—each small act of sacrifice is a step closer to embodying Christ’s love. So, lean into prayer, seek guidance in Scripture, and let the Holy Spirit empower you to live out your faith in tangible ways. Your journey of faith is not just for you; it’s a light for others, illuminating the path to salvation.
Bible References to “It Is Finished” Meaning:
Hebrews 9:11-14: 11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Hebrews 10:11-18: 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.
14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,”
17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Colossians 2:13-15: 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Romans 6:8-11: 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.
11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 3:18-22: 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,
19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison,
20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.
21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Revelation 21:5-7: 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.
7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
Isaiah 53:4-6: 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:10-12: 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.
11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
Matthew 27:45-50: 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”
48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink.
49 And the rest said, “Let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
Mark 15:33-37: 33 And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
35 And some of the bystanders hearing it said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
36 And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.”
37 And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last.
Luke 23:44-46: 44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour,
45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.