Today is Good Friday. A day when we focus on the suffering and death of Jesus. I want to focus today on the importance of the three of Christ’s final words: "It is finished!"
Our background scripture today comes from John 19:30.
When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30 (NLT)
Today I would like to focus on the task that had been completed as Jesus laid down his life. We will be looking at three things that were brought to an end by his death upon Calvary’s cross.
1. The condemnation of sin
It was sin that expelled Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. It was sin that had caused the people of Israel to worship other gods. It was sin that caused Peter to deny and curse the very Lord he swore to defend. Our sins come with a high price. Death!
For the wages of sin is death.... Romans 6:23a(NLT)
Sin had condemned each one of us. Try as we might, we all have sinned and fallen short of the mark.
For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23(NLT)
Almost depressing isn’t it? We try to be good, but we all fail at maintaining the letter of the law. We try to love our neighbor, but....We try to maintain a pure though life, but....We try not to be envious of others, but.... The law condemns us! But wait..."It is finished!" Look at what was completed at Calvary.
The law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us...
Romans 8:3-4a(NLT)
The condemnation received by Him who had no sin. Jesus Christ! The sin that once condemned us is now condemned by him.
2. The curse of sin
A kiss of death, the curse of sin. But not just physical death....spiritual death. The law is our judge and jury....guilty as charged. But wait, "It is finished!" Look at the business finished at Calvary:
But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Galatians 3:13
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1-2(NLT)
3. Seperation from God
Walking through the Garden of Eden with the Creator. Adam and Eve knew God in a way we can only dream of. Then sin entered the picture and a perfect relationship became distant. Sin placed a barrier between us and the one who loved us. The Holy of Holies was shrouded by a curtain. The intimacy once experienced was seperated by a chasm of imperfection. Eternity without God’s love...what a horrifying thought...but wait: "It is finished!" Look at the business finished at Calvary:
And the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom Mark 15:38(NLT)
You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brough near to him because of the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:12b-13 (NLT)
No longer seperated by curtains, sin or imperfection. The bridge was built the way was clear...fellowship was restored.
So what do the words "It is finished!" mean for you?
1. You have been pardoned from the penalty of sin.
2. The penalty you deserved was bought and paid for
by the innocent blood of Christ.
3. You have been reunited with God through Jesus
Christ His Son.
