It is Finished. A New Beginning. Total Victory.
During my devotional time on December 27, while reflecting on 2017 and looking forward to 2018, a song written by Darlene Zschech, former Hillsong worship leader illuminated this Scripture from John 19:28-30 as Jesus hung on the cross,
Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Jesus said, “It is finished!”
Question: What was finished or done? Answer: Everything related His mission and your victory!
Jesus stated His mission: "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me" (John 6:38).
He stated His position: ”Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'" (John 14:6).
Below are part of the lyrics to the song “At The Cross” by Darlene Zschech from 2006 (Here is a lyric video of that song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLgQWpxZ-eg)
At the cross You died for me
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now
You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done
In view of whatever challenges and opportunities we face, know that Jesus’ words “It is finished!” and the giving up of His Spirit in death brought us life and new beginnings. This reality is revealed in three ways.
1. You tore the veil: The veil was a curtain in the Jewish temple that separated the most holy place from the holy place and outer court. When Jesus spoke the words “It is finished” and gave up His Spirit, that veil was split from top the bottom. (Matthew 27:51). This signaled the end of law and the emergence of grace. It signaled that human power needs the greater power of Christ, who is the Life Giver and Purpose Fulfiller.
2. You made a way: What was impossible under the old order of law (salvation and a new birth), is now possible under the new order of grace. Whatever you thought was impossible, unachievable, overwhelming, out-of-reach, or insurmountable is now possible. Jesus made the way!
3. When Jesus said that “it is done”: What was “done” was both His mission to save us and His ongoing grace to empower us, open doors, remove the darkness of dispair, and create “beauty from ashes,” and reveal to you new pathways of victory!
The Scottish biblical scholar William Barclay offers a remarkable insight in his commentary on Jesus words "It is finished." The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke record that Jesus let out a "shout" or "cried out" before giving up his Spirit in death. Only John records the words, "It is finished!"
Barclay writes: "The explanation is that the great shout and the words, "It is finished," are one and the same thing. "It is finished" is one word in Greek--tetelestai (GSN5055)--and Jesus died with a shout of triumph on his lips. He did not say, "It is finished," in weary defeat; he said it as one who shouts for joy because the victory is won. He seemed to be broken on the Cross, but he knew that his victory was won.
"It is finished!" were words of victory, not words of resignation and defeat! You may feel broken or defeated, but it only seems that way. The FACT is this: Because Jesus finished his mission, your victory and mission have already begun! The Lord has opened doors for you that no one can shut.
This insight has become part of my vision for 2018 and what I will share with our New Covenant Church congregation on Sunday, January 7. “It is Finished. A New Beginning. Total Victory.”
Happy New Year!
~ Bryan Hudson
