In John 19:30, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” This statement is counted among the last words He uttered before His crucifixion. The pronouncement of these words marks a critical moment in the history of Christianity; they signify the completion of His mission on earth and the definitive triumph over sin and death.
With these words, Jesus declared the completion and fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan[1] for humanity. Through his sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus accomplished what no one else could. He paid the price for our sins and bridged the gap between God and humanity.
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The Context Surrounding John 19:30
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he said this, he breathed his last.
— Luke 23:46
The Gospel of John places a strong emphasis on the divinity of Jesus and his fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies.
Throughout the book, we see evidence of Jesus’ life and his divine nature through his miracles, teachings, and interactions with others. Before his arrest, Jesus prayed his last public prayer, where he asked the Father to glorify him, just as Jesus has glorified the Father on Earth, having finished the “work” that God has given him to do.
When Jesus uttered the words, “It is finished,” the culmination of these themes was made apparent, solidifying Jesus’ place as the Son of God. By then, Jesus had breathed his last.
“It is finished” may seem like a simple statement in the Bible, but its meaning runs deep in Christian theology. It signifies not only an end but also a new beginning—one where we are free from sin and have access to eternal life through faith in Christ, as did Jesus.
In other words, Jesus’ sacrifice marked the end of the old covenant, and through his blood, a new era of grace began.
Understanding The Meaning Of “It Is Finished”
Completing His Mission
When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” it meant that he had completed his mission on Earth. He came to Earth to save humanity from their sins and reconcile them with God, which is one of the central teachings of the church.
By dying on the cross, Jesus fulfilled what was prophesied about him in the Old Testament and accomplished what he set out to do.
Ending Of The Old Covenant
The phrase “It is finished” also signifies the end of the Old Covenant and the beginning of a New Covenant. The Old Covenant was established between God and Israel through Moses, but it was limited in its scope and effectiveness. God’s justice demanded death for sin.
Jesus’ death on the cross marked the end of this covenant, signaling to the Jewish world that it was no longer necessary for people to make sacrifices for their sins since Jesus had paid the ultimate price.
Beginning Of A New Covenant
The New Covenant that began with Jesus’ death on the cross offers salvation to all who believe in him as their Lord and Savior. It provides an opportunity for people to have a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
This covenant is based on grace rather than works, which means that salvation cannot be earned but is freely given by God’s grace.
Payment For Our Sins
Through his death on the cross, Jesus paid our debts in full. As the only Son of the Father, he took upon himself all our sins so that we could have eternal life with the Father. This act demonstrated God’s love for us and provided a way for us to be reconciled with him.
The Reason Behind Jesus Said It Is Finished
The Greek word “tetelestai” means “it is finished” or “paid in full.” This refers to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies that predicted the coming of a savior who would save God’s people from their sins. Throughout his ministry, Jesus made it clear that he was fulfilling these prophecies, and his death on the cross was the ultimate fulfillment.
The book of Luke records Jesus saying, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms” (Luke 24:44). By saying “it is finished,” Jesus was declaring that everything that needed to be done had been accomplished.
As a priest, Jesus’ primary role was to offer sacrifices for sin. In ancient Jewish culture, priests would offer animal sacrifices to atone for sin. However, these sacrifices were only temporary and had to be repeated regularly.
When Jesus died on the cross, he became the ultimate sacrifice for sinners. Hebrews 10:12 says, “But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” Jesus was indicating that his work as a priest was complete.
With these words, Jesus declared that his sacrifice paid for the sins of all sinners. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Because we are all sinners in need of salvation, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was necessary to pay for our sins. When he said, “It is finished,” Jesus was proclaiming that his death had paid the price for our sins once and for all.
Implications Of Christ’s Sacrifice For Christians
The phrase “It is finished” is one of the most powerful statements in the Bible. Spoken by Jesus on the cross, it signifies the completion of his mission on earth. As Christians, we can find peace and rest in the finished work of Christ.
Jesus Completed His Mission On Earth
When Jesus said, “It is finished,” he meant that his mission on earth was complete. He had accomplished what he came to do—to save humanity from sin and death. By dying on the cross, Jesus took upon himself the punishment that we deserved for our sins. Through his sacrifice, we have obtained eternal redemption.
Believers Can Find Peace And Rest In Christ’s Finished Work
As believers, we can find peace and rest in Christ’s finished work on the cross. We no longer have to strive to earn our salvation or try to be good enough for God. Instead, we can trust in what Jesus has done for us and rest in his grace.
In our pursuit of holiness and living a godly life, it’s essential to understand that our actions are a response to the finished work of Christ. Rather than our efforts being the means to salvation, they are a heartfelt expression of gratitude for what Christ has already accomplished.
Delving into the Scriptures allows us to grasp the profound depths of God’s love and the significance of his ultimate sacrifice.
The Finished Work Of Christ Provides Salvation And Forgiveness
Through Christ’s fulfilled work on the cross, believers gain access to salvation and forgiveness. Our redemption comes by God’s grace through faith in him (Ephesians 2:8–9), and when we openly confess our sins, they are forgiven (1 John 1:9).
The blood of Jesus purifies us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7) and transforms us into new beings in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Immersing ourselves in the Word of God deepens our comprehension of his boundless grace and the immeasurable power of his sacrifice.
Believers Can Trust In The Sufficiency Of Christ’s Sacrifice
As followers of Christ, we can place our full trust in the sufficiency of his sacrifice for our redemption. Yet it remains crucial for us to diligently study his teachings and apply them to our lives. There is no need to add anything to what Jesus has already accomplished or strive to earn our salvation through good deeds.
His sacrifice fully satisfies the penalty for all our transgressions—past, present, and future. We can find rest in the assurance that our faith in him justifies us (Romans 5:1), and through his obedience, we are made righteous (Romans 5:19).
The Power And Significance Of Jesus’ Last Words
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
— Hebrews 4:14–16
Jesus’ last words on the cross hold profound meaning and significance for Christians around the world. These words signify the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for our salvation. Christ died for a reason. Through his death and resurrection, we are granted eternal life and forgiveness of our sins.
The Bible emphasizes the significance of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice and redemption. Hebrews 9:12 states: “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.” This demonstrates that Jesus’ sacrifice was enough to redeem us from our sins forever.
Jesus died for you and me. Through his death on the cross, Jesus became our high priest, who offers us spiritual gifts and the Holy Spirit through prayer and the new covenant.
Conclusion
The words spoken by Jesus in his final moments are no coincidence; they carry a deep meaning, signifying the fulfillment of God’s divine plan for the salvation of humanity.
It is thus important that we grasp the profound implications of this statement in our present lives. Through Christ’s selfless sacrifice, we are set free from the shackles of sin and the grip of death.
The weight and significance of Jesus’ final words should never be underestimated. They serve as a constant reminder to all of us that, by placing our faith in Christ, we are not only redeemed but also transformed into new creations.
In our pursuit of holiness and living a godly life, it’s essential to understand that our actions are a response to the finished work of Christ. Rather than our efforts being the means to salvation, they are a heartfelt expression of gratitude for what Christ has already accomplished.
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