So Great A Salvation - The Way Of Salvation Is Finished!

John 19:28 “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

Introduction: Every step of Jesus’ journey was leading to the completion of an heavenly assignment. His mission to save the world ended at Calvary. John 19 reveals the uplifted savior fulfilling his prophesy, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” Now Jesus of Nazareth, the savior has been arrested and scourged with a cat of nine tails. Pilate thought that this cruel act of scourging would appease the crowd, but the mob would be satisfied with nothing short of death. Then a crown of thorns was placed on his head and a purple robe was put on him and Jesus was parade before the crowd. Pilate said, “behold the man;” then “behold your king.” Pilate assumed the crowd would be pacified or feel empathy for Jesus, but neither was the case. They cried out, “Crucify him! Crucify Him!

Three times Pilate proclaimed the innocence of Jesus. He confessed, “I find no fault in him.”This scripture is a sad commentary that after a thorough investigation and complete examination, an innocent man could be so mistreated. Today, many walk away from the church and ignore the person of Jesus Christ without examination, nor consideration. Others are tempted to complain and blame God for their problems. We would do well to remember that when we are tempted to complain about what the Lord did or did not do, that there is no fault in Him. There is no failure in God. Yet in spite of being completely innocent, Pilate turned him over to the Jews to be crucified. The scripture said, “They killed Him without a cause.” They crucified our savior between two thieves. That day we can see the three faces of Calvary. That dreadful day, all of mankind was on that hill. They still are. One man died in his sin, one man died to his sin and one man died for our sin. Today, there are some listening who choose to live in sin, other have chose to believe on Jesus Christ, repent and died to their sin, yet Jesus was and is the only one that could die for our sin. One thief wanted to save himself despite his sin, One thief repented of his sin and accepted Jesus as the son of God. He died to his sin. There were soldiers casting lots and dividing his possession, they were there to profit themselves from the situation. John gives a picture of Mary, the mother of Jesus, his sister Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene standing weeping over the Savior. How sad it was that none of these women were accompanied by their sons to stead them or comfort them. Every person on Calvary that day and now must decide, what to do with Jesus. Will you try to use him, profit by him, weep over him or will you receive him?

Jesus refused to die without making provision for his mother’s earthly care. Jesus said, “Woman behold thy son” and then to John he said, “Behold thy mother.” The moving lesson ought to teach us that we might have to endure hard trials alone. Friends will desert us and family will walk away. You see, “a servant is not greater than their Lord. Jesus said, If they have did it unto me, they will do it unto you.” Jesus understood that this was a part of God’s plan. He was fulfilling a foreordained plan of God. He knew where he came from and he knew where he was going. Although his life, he repeated a central phrase, “That the Scriptures might be fulfilled.” The plan of Salvation was complete. The battles have been fierce, the war had been long, and Satan would suffer his final defeat. It is finished was the victory cry of Jesus. 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.” Every Scripture had been fulfilled and every act had been completed. The way of Salvation is possible because the remedy for sin was applied.

1. Jesus Satisfied The Sin Debt. Jesus paid the ultimate price that our sin could be forgiven. The sin problem had only one remedy, the blood of Jesus. The bloods of animal sacrifices were inefficient and temporary. Sin is an expensive proposition. The wages of sin is death. It is sad that many have an indifferent attitude towards sin. Sin today is just as sinful in the eyes of God as ever. Whether we are Gentiles and Jewish, bond or free, rich or poor, male or female, white or black and the penalty is the same. Unrepented Sin leads to death. Physical death is separation of the spirit form the body; Spiritual death is separation from God. On Calvary, Jesus built a bridge from death to life. “What can wash away my sin, nothing but the Blood of Jesus, what can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. The cost of Salvation has been paid.