“Finally, Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So, the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others – one on each side and Jesus in the middle.
John 19: 16-18, 28-30
“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
“It is finished.” Have you ever wondered what that really means? What is finished? I know that I have questioned that at times: what is finished? Christ’s disciples still do not understand! The Holy Spirit will not come to the disciples until Pentecost. So, what is finished? The Church has not been established yet, only the foundation. I know that God has not finished me yet.
So, what is finished? The time for Jesus to walk on the earth is not finished yet, He will visit with His disciples several more times. The mission to bring God personally to all mankind is definitely not finished; it still continues to this day with missionaries all over the earth.
The physical body of Christ has died, so that is finished. His physical pain is finished, but is that what Christ meant? Perhaps it was the gift of His spirit and that gift that overcame death? Was it the gift of everlasting life for those who believe?
Or is the answer easier, or more complicated, than that? What has been prophesied has been fulfilled. The books of the Prophets, and even the Psalms, have promised a Redeemer, a Savior for all people. Jesus has fulfilled those prophesies – “it is finished.”
With God’s Love …
Bob Beck is a faith-based columnist for The Chronicle.
