It is Finished

IT IS FINISHED

John 19:28-30 

We’ve all heard the expression, “famous last words,” but how many of us have ever studied Jesus last words?

When I told a friend I was teaching a sermon on these verses they couldn’t believe I could do it with only three verses – –

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to be with someone who’s life is about to pass, you know last words can be significant.

I’ve been with those close to me and they shared with me that they are ready to meet the Lord, wishing they had more time with loved ones, asking for blessing over their wife and children.

I’ve also been with those whose lives are full of despair and they finished their race without much hope or the belief that it’s just over – there isn’t anything else ahead.

Our last words reveal a lot about our life. Are we filled with Hope & Assurance or Fear & Despair?

When we look at our Lord Jesus’ last words we witness the completion of His greatest work on earth while also enduring His greatest work for eternity.

What He knew from the Cross shows His deity – – what He said shows His humanity!
During His 6 hours on the Cross He spoke 3x over the first 3 hours – aimed at others.

#1. Luke 23:34; “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

#2. Luke 23:43; “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

#3. John 19:26; When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”

He knew that those last 3 hours of darkness on the cross that His Father would transfer the sin of the world onto Him.

What was that scene like…
Darkness, Separation from God, Burning thirst

Sounds like Hell – – yet Jesus took it for us so you might experience life.

#4. Matthew 27:46; “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

John 19:28-30

WHAT JESUS SAID

What was accomplished?
His mission on earth
John said in chapter 1; “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
His mission was to come to die and carry the sin of the world on Him.

Matthew 20:28; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

I Am Thirsty

Why was this significant for the writer, John, to record it?
Was it only to show His human side?
Human: a plot, unlawful, hateful yet carried out
Divine: God arranged it all – nothing by chance

Acts 2:23; this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death.

John wrote “so the scriptures could be fulfilled.” Remember, Jesus didn’t say this, but John wrote it. – – – WHY?

So that everything in the OT could be fulfilled.

Jesus may not have had a drink for some 18 hours; since the last supper…
He was in the Garden of Gethsemane where His sweat was described as blood.
Taken to multiple trials
Beaten and flogged
Hung on the Cross for 6 hours

We can all relate to Jesus humanity during this time!
But it’s counter-intuitive at the same time…
He’s living water – John 7:38
You will never thirst if you believe in Him – John 4:14

Wine, Vinegar & Hyssop

So where did this jar of wine vinegar at the foot of the cross come from?

Psalms 69:21; They also gave me gall for my food
And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

1986; Dr. William Edwards – Mayo Clinic – The Journal of the American Medical Association. ** On the Physical Death of Jesus **

The answer to our question – how did this jar of sour wine vinegar get to the foot of the cross? Roman soldiers brought it to offer Jesus.

So when Jesus said, “I am thirsty”, this is the mixture available to Him – dipped in Hyssop which acted as a sponge – – – the same Hyssop we have been learning about in Leviticus chapter 14 regarding the law of cleaning a Leper.

The same Hyssop used during the 10th Plague in Egypt.
Exodus 12:22; You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.

IT IS FINISHED

The 6th statement by Jesus on the cross in vs 30
He finished His Father’s work – – – He fulfilled all prophesy – – – He achieved victory over the devil – – – He suffered – – – It was finished!

Luke records Jesus’ 7th and final words;

Luke 23:46; And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last.

So why did He put Himself through so much pain for us?
To fulfill the scriptures and provide for us a way to the Father and eternal life.

John wanted to remind you and me that the OT gave us over 30 prophesies regarding details and the life of ministry of our Messiah.

Psalms 22:18; They divide my garments among them,
And for my clothing they cast lots. (John 19:23)

And Psalms 69:21 we already referenced the use of wine vinegar and gall – 950 years before Jesus

“Thirst” was no random comment, no coincidence that the jar was at the foot of the cross.

Soldiers cast lots – no accident

None of these things were random events – – God’s plan for Jesus was recorded hundreds of years before Jesus lived and here we get to see – – we get to have our faith strengthened by John writing these things so the scriptures will be fulfilled!

WHAT BELIEVERS NOW KNOW

That God had Jesus take on every sin ever committed by you and I so that we may have a way to eternal life – so that we have an advocate direct to God on our behalf for forgiveness.

2 Corinthians 5:21; He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The Power of Prophesy

As written, there are 30 alone in the OT which tell us about the life to come for Jesus .
Jesus refers to the OT as the Word of God 64x

Daniel 9 tells us the exact year Jesus would be killed; 32AD – – and guess who died that year? How could that be?

2 Samuel 7 tells us the Messiah will be a descendant of King David – 1000 years before Jesus birth.

Psalms 22 describes events surrounding the Cross

Isaiah 7 – – a virgin birth 850 years before Christ

Isaiah 52 – – people were appalled at his looks/his wounds

Micah 5 – – He will be born in Bethlehem 800 years before

Zachariah 11 – – tells of Judas betrayal 520 years

Jesus asked the Jewish leaders 5x; “have you not read what was spoken to you…”

You want to know what a person thinks about Jesus – – ask them what they think of the Bible…

The Power of Intellectual Proof

Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947

ILLUSTRATION: There once was an article written about a brilliant Pentagon Mathematician – and she calculated that the likelihood of all 30 prophesies in the OT being absolutely spot on accurate in the NT – – the odds are 1 x 10 (30th power).
Isaiah 46:9; “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,

My answer about proof – – The living God who knows the future like we know the past took time to record in the Bible, as inspired, the inerrant Word of God.

If you can’t explain 1 x 10 (30th power) then you would be wise to give your life to Jesus Christ.

And for all the Believers; how do we live until we get to Heaven?

The Bible speaks about every subject – – an absolute authority – – and our responsibility is to make lifestyle adjustments to match what the Bible says.

BUSINESS ETHICS PERSONAL INTEGRITY
MORAL STANDARDS SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
TREAT OTHERS FAITHFUL TO SPOUSE
PARENTING WHAT YOU WATCH
JOKES YOU TELL REP CHRIST TO WORLD
ENCOURAGE GOD’S PEOPLE WHEREVER YOU GO

You won’t get it right everyday but God is calling on us to be determined to work harder and trust Him to help you.

These become divine pieces of information God has given us – not just to be a credit to Him, but to live lives that are a blessing to us and those around us.

All has been recorded in the Bible for us

To prove He is real

To prove the Bible is His personal message to mankind

To prove to you and me that forgiveness comes from repentance & faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to have eternal life.