When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit

John 19:30

It is finished!

I have executed the great designs of the Almighty

When God made man and put in him a free will, all the angels thought He was out of His mind. He had a plan. A plan, from the foundation of the earth, to reconcile the world through Jesus His Son. He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be Holy and blameless before Him (Eph. 1:4). That plan was accomplished today, 2000 years ago.

I have satisfied the demands of his justice
God is holy and just. His nature demands justice. The wages of sin is death and somebody had to pay for our rebellion. Jesus answered that call. The LORD was “pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would give Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand” (Isaiah 53:10). Today, 2000 years ago, He was bruised for our iniquity and the punishment for our sins laid upon him.

 I have accomplished all that was written in the prophets

What I love about Jesus is that He is not a want-to-be, blowing his own horn, singing his own praise – pick me, pick me, kinda guy (for lack of better words). Prophecy after prophecy confirmed that he is the Messiah and the Savior of the world. He told his disciples when he was with them, “everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets must be fulfilled” (Luke:24:44). Today, 2000 years ago, it is accomplished.

 I have suffered the utmost malice of my enemies

Gethsemane and the tears of blood, the betrayal of kiss (oh but it was my brother, my companion), spit, insults, slander, the Cat of Nine Tales, the brutal crucifixion, the agonizing death. Satan is defeated, the power of death broken, darkness is overcome and principalities spoiled.  He “endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right of the father. He nailed the curse that was against us to the cross. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross” (Heb. 12:2). Today, 2000 years ago, he passed the test and finished the mission.

Now the way to the holy of holies is made manifest through my blood

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. Without the cross there is no glory. Without his death we cannot live again, without his resurrection there is no reconciliation. But on this day, 2000 years ago, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:51). Now we can come boldly into the throne room in our time of need to seek mercy and grace. The power of sin broken. Man can live again for eternity with the father of love.

Through his death on the cross, God has reconciled man to himself. The kingdom of heaven is now opened to every believing soul. What a glorious finish!
“Shout heaven and earth, this Sum of good to Man!”