Notice that He did not say, “will be!” He said dear one, that “it IS finished.” The plan of salvation was finished at that moment on the cross of Calvary because the sin problem was taken care of.
John 19:30 (NASB) Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” (NASB)
Receiving the sour wine on the sponge raised to His mouth was the final act, which fulfilled the prophecies given in the Old Testament concerning His agony on the cross. Now Jesus utters the words, “It is finished.” What was finished? To whom was this statement directed? I believe that His words were directed toward His Father as were His very first words recorded at the outset of this ugly crucifixion event. On that occasion, He asked the Father to forgive those who were nailing His body to the cross.
What is the “it” that He referred to here? Surely it is the purpose for His life. He is nearing the end and will soon take His last breath. He is saying that the purpose of His life has now been accomplished. The plan of God for His life, His reason for living, has been completed.
The relationship between Jesus and the Father in Heaven is most clearly seen in a careful reading of the prayer that Jesus spoke out loud, recorded in John 17. In those words of intimate communion with God, Jesus reveals His position of glory with The Father “before the world was” and clearly opens a window for us to see the deep love and communion that was shared between them from eternity past. Everything about the life of Jesus on planet earth was directed from this central relationship of union with His Father, Almighty God. The purpose of His earthly existence had been completely accomplished and all that the Father had for Him to do was, in fact, finished.
The word “is” here is very noteworthy as well. Notice that He did not say, “will be!” He said dear one, that “it IS finished.” The plan of salvation was finished at that moment on the cross of Calvary because the sin problem was taken care of. Jesus took our sins upon Himself during those moments – the sins of all those who had lived by faith before that time, and all those who would live by faith after that moment. Sin is the thing that separates us from God, and we will not stand, sit, or be anywhere near Him as long as we insist that our own goodness is good enough. Only Jesus lived a life of sinless perfection and was the worthy sacrifice God required. He was the sinless, spotless, Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Come under His cleansing blood by faith and let His righteousness cover you. Clothed in Him, you are ready to be in God’s presence right now and when this life is over.
That’s what was finished! The plan of God for your salvation! This is the good news of the gospel. Our choice, then, becomes clear. Do I believe this or don’t I? It’s an incredible assertion really! But it’s a truth that Jesus Christ and all those who have followed Him ask you to believe wholeheartedly. Believe to the extent that you would take it to the grave, exulting His Lordship over your life and thanking Him for forgiveness with your very last breath.
I believe, Lord Jesus. For me, it is finished as well.Preview