It Is Finished – The Loudest Whisper

A jar full of sour wine was there, and they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to Jesus' mouth. When He had received it, He said, “It is finished,” bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.

Introduction: A Whisper That Changed the World

Church, today I want to speak to you about a cry that wasn’t loud in volume, but thundered through eternity. Jesus didn't shout with thunder or roar with rage—He whispered a victory that shook the foundations of sin, death, and hell. “It is finished.” The loudest whisper ever uttered.

The Sour Wine: Fulfilled Prophecy in a Bitter Cup:

When Jesus took that sour wine—Greek word Oxos (Akh-sos), diluted, bitter wine used by Roman soldiers—He wasn't just quenching thirst. He was fulfilling prophecy. Psalms 69:21 declared, “They gave me vinegar for my thirst.”

Let’s pause. Why wine? Why this detail?

Wine Throughout Scripture: From Offering to Mockery :

Wine in Scripture symbolized so many things. It was currency. It was celebration. It was medicine. But here, this sour wine was cheap, bitter, and offered in mockery. And yet, Jesus received it. He took in the bitterness so you and I could taste the sweetness of grace.

And then, He said, “It is finished.”

Church, He didn’t say, “I am finished.” He said IT is finished.

That "IT" covers it all:

1. The price for sin was paid.

2. The sacrificial system of the Old Covenant was fulfilled.

3. Every prophecy—including Psalm 69:21, Isaiah 53, and Genesis 3:15—was completed.

4. Satan was defeated. Death was disarmed. Heaven was opened.

The Old Covenant: A System Now Fulfilled:

Let me walk you through the Old Covenant sacrificial system for a moment. Under that law, people had to offer:

• Sin offerings

• Guilt offerings

• Burnt offerings

• Peace offerings

• Daily lambs, morning and evening (Exodus 29)

• Wine offerings poured out to God (Numbers 28:7)

These were shadows. Jesus became the substance. Hebrews 10:10 says, “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

No more lambs.

No more wine poured.

He became the Lamb.

He poured His blood.

The Power of the Phrase: “It Is Finished”

Let me tell you something personal: I’ve often tried to earn God’s love. I’ve strived, served, and sacrificed, thinking I had to do more. But God reminded me—on the cross, Jesus didn’t leave a balance due.

He said, Tetelestai – Paid in full.

Complete. Perfect. Irreversible.

What Was Finished?

1. The penalty of sin was paid.

2. The prophecies were fulfilled (Luke 24:44).

3. Satan, sin, and death were defeated (Genesis 3:15).

4. The old sacrificial system ended (Hebrews 10:10).

5. Heaven was opened (Hebrews 10:19–20).

The veil in the temple tore from top to bottom. Access was granted. The way was opened.

Let's stop trying to earn what’s already ours.

Ephesians 2:8–9 — “For by grace are ye saved through faith; not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Victory in Submission: He Bowed, Not Collapsed:

When Jesus bowed His head, it wasn’t defeat. Philippians 2:8 says He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

That bow was the posture of a victorious warrior, not a defeated victim.

But here’s the powerful part:

He gave up His spirit.

No man took it.

John 10:18 — “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself.”

He chose the moment.

He chose the method.

He chose the manner.

And when He said “It is finished”—it echoed through heaven and earth.

The veil was torn

Sin was defeated

Satan lost his grip

You and I were invited in

Conclusion:

We live in a world that tells us to carry our burdens alone, to prove our worth, to create our own truth. But at the cross, Truth Himself carried our burden and said:

You are already loved.

Already chosen.

Already forgiven.

If you’ve been striving, if you’ve been carrying shame, bitterness, or guilt—come to the cross. Not to earn something. But to receive what’s already been finished.

And to the believer who’s grown tired, who’s forgotten the cost—don’t waste your salvation. Don’t live casually when Christ gave everything.

Let us lift up the cup of salvation (Psalm 116:12-13). Let us honor Him, not just with words, but with lives that reflect His grace.

The cross isn’t just history. It’s our rescue story.

Philippians 2:9–11

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him… that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…”

Because He finished it, His Name is forever exalted.

And because He whispered that victory—we live free.

Amen.