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. – John 19:29-30
Today’s post is lifted, word for word, from Reaching Toward Easter (p.127).
(highpoint of my short movie career!)
“It is finished.” This stage of the plan is now completed, achieved, accomplished, consummated, fulfilled. The iconic statement is Jesus’ last deep breath, the kind you take after completing a long and arduous task.
It is a successful conclusion, a shout, a punctuation mark in bold print. It is, in effect, a compact benediction.
Jesus’ ministry here on earth has been remarkable to the extreme. His three years of public service were so crucial, so important, that he had spent thirty years in preparation. Thirty years! Thirty years of groundwork for the mission of Emmanuel, three decades of foundation for God incarnate to get to work. Jesus did not rush into his ministry.
Therefore, as terrible as it sounds,Jesus’ statement, “It is finished,” serves more accurately as an exclamation point affirming that the Son has been completely successful in his mission, not as a concession to defeat. Because the moment Jesus died, the possibility of our redemption was born.
The best I can do in response is to live in the truth of such generous love.
Crucifixion, from Luke’s Gospel
When Jesus uttered the statement “It is finished” on that Good Friday and it echoed across all of history, he opened the door of possibility so that we could be restored to God as if we actually are worthy. In fact, and because of Jesus, I really am worthy; we all are.
Regardless of how I understand it, that dark day on Golgotha saved me. The best I can do in response is to live in the truth of such generous love.
For me, and for each one of us, this life of redemptive grace made possible by the events on Good Friday has only just begun. – DEREK
