Three words. Simple words. But in all of this world's history they are the most important ever uttered. Or course, the three words are in English translations. In the Greek language, in which the New Testament was written, it was only one word. Frankly, in the Aramaic in which Jesus spoke, I have no idea how many words it is. But those three English words have changed everything.
It is finished.John 19:30 records these words among the last Jesus ever spoke on the Cross. And they changed everything.
Jesus was hanging on the Cross to satisfy the eternal wrath of a Holy God against the sins of rebellious humanity. The wages of sin is death and God's righteousness demanded that he receive payment. Sins must be paid for. He could not simply ignore your sins or mine - there is a payment demanded. And Romans 6:23 makes it clear what that payment is.
"The wages of sin is death."Someone had to die for my sins, and yours. We faced an eternity separated from God under his judgment because of our waywardness. The debt must be paid. And that is exactly what Jesus was doing on the Cross that day. He was paying the price, paying the wages that our sins demanded. Death.
As Jesus was prepared for crucifixion, Jesus experienced the evil of man. But on the Cross, hanging there bearing the sins of the world and standing in our place, Jesus experienced as no man ever had to that point, the eternal wrath of God against sin.
The sun grew dark as Jesus hung there.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?There is an answer to the question. You. And me. Why? Because Jesus was in our place and he was experiencing our hell. He was there for us and experienced all the horrors of hell in the hours he hung there, the full weight of God's wrath for our sins poured out on the sinless Lamb.
And then, when it was done, he uttered the words. "It is finished." It's done. Your sins are paid for. You atonement is complete. You are washed, cleansed, justified, redeemed, forgiven, and every other word you can imagine. Completely. Infinitely. Eternally. It is finished. Nothing else ever has to be done for you to be saved forever!
So, when we come to Christ in repentance and faith the debt is paid. Done. I can add nothing to my salvation. I can only believe.
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins, and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. It is finished. Jesus paid it all. It is finished. Mercy there is great and grace was free, pardon there was multiplied to me. It is finished. Because Jesus spoke those words, because he paid for our sins, we are free.
Father, I am in awe of your grace and love, that you would punish your beloved Son for my sins. Why would you do that for a sinner like me? But you did, and I glory in Cross on which Jesus finished, completely, my eternal redemption.
No comments:
Post a Comment