John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The words of dying men, says the great dramatist, "enforce attention." How much more the words of the dying God-Man. Note — I. THE LIGHT CAST BY THIS UTTERANCE ON CHRIST'S WORK ITSELF. It exhibits to us — 1. A great work. It is not of any ordinary or trifling act that we use this stately phrase; it belongs to what we regard as an achievement to get off our hands. And never was it more worthily applied than to the work of redemption. What is great, if that is not? The Hebrew equivalent of this expression, and which concludes Psalm 22. (from which probably our Lord took it), is the same as we have in Genesis 2:3. That voice from the cross marked the termination of a work far greater in its nature and issues than the work of Creation. It made known the manifold wisdom of God in a way which no creative acts could do. It unfolded the very heart of God, and revealed Him to be Love as well as Light. 2. A difficult work. A work may be great and yet not difficult — the Creation, e.g. — "He spake and it was done." But who can imagine the feeling of infinite relief represented by "It is finished." Christ's human nature quailed before it. "Father, if it be possible," &c. But now that the last drop has passed His lips; now that the justice of God is satisfied, He gives vent to the relief felt in these words. 3. A definite work. He knew when it was done. It had a beginning, certain well-marked stages, and an unmistakeable termination. He often spoke of it as something prescribed. "The work Thou gavest Me to do." The same is implied in His Messiahship. Ambassadors have always definite instructions. This view is needed in these days of theological vagueness when Divine mercy is panegyrized, but no positive statements forthcoming as to how a sinner is to be accepted of God. We are twitted with our theology being hard and dry, but when solid footing is wanted these qualities are preferable to quicksands and quagmires. The Saviour's work was definite in its nature, objects, and results. 4. A perfect work. A definite goal was reached, and all up to that point was perfect, and could never again be reopened or improved. And the Scripture leaves us in no ignorance of what was perfected — the Atonement (Hebrews 10:10, 14). II. THE RESPECTS IN WHICH CHRIST'S WORK WAS THEN FINISHED. 1. That it was finished in every view of it was manifestly not the case; for it is still in progress, and will not be absolutely finished till "the days of the voice of the seventh angel" (Revelation 10:7). 2. As a whole it was finished as a battle is finished. After the conflict at Gravelotte had raged for twelve hours, Moltke rode up to the King of Prussia and quietly said, "The battle is finished." He meant that the key of the position was wrested from the enemy, and that it was only a matter of time for his dispositions to close the struggle. So here the contest was raging fiercer than ever, and still rages: but Christ won the key of the position, and virtually secured everything. 3. In certain details it was absolutely finished. The typical system was abolished, animal sacrifices had accomplished their mission, and prophecy was fulfilled. III. SOME OF THE PRACTICAL EFFECTS WHICH THE FINISHING OF CHRIST'S WORK SHOULD HAVE UPON US. 1. It ought to annihilate all disposition to self-righteousness. The natural man has no pleasure in contemplating Christ's work as finished. He must first be made to feel himself a helpless, worthless, perishing sinner, and then a work requiring no contributions of his will exactly suit his case. 2. We should see in it a ground of immediate peace and joy — as it was to the early disciples (Acts 2:46, 47; Acts 8:39; Acts 16:34). Jesus has done all that you need for your acceptance: nothing remains for you but to accept it, and take the comfort of it. 3. We see the pledge that Christ's work will be complete in all His people. Conclusion: This pillar of light has a frowning aspect for unbelievers. Christ's enemies were terribly frightened when He said, "It is finished." The earth quaked, &c., and the onlookers Smote upon their breasts and fled, fancying that all was finished. They were mistaken, of course, but a day is coming when it will be no mistake. It will then be finished for the ungodly; finished with prayer, mercy, pleasures of sin, everything except the wrath of God, and that will be for ever. (James Moir, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. |
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