Having now looked at five of the seven sayings from Jesus on the cross, today we’ll reflect on the final two. We’ve already seen Jesus speak words of forgiveness, salvation, love, prophecy, and desire. Now, we hear His words of victory and trust, the powerful conclusion to His redemptive work on the cross.
Redemption – “It is finished.”
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’” – John 19:30
Though we read three words in English, Jesus spoke just one in Greek: tetelestai – Finished! Oswald Chambers once called it the single greatest word ever uttered.
Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “I am finished,” but “It is finished.” This was not a cry of defeat but a declaration of triumph. Jesus paid the debt in full. Since the time of Adam, humanity had been paying for sin. All the lambs sacrificed on Jewish altars pointed forward to this moment, the once-and-for-all sacrifice for sin.
In Genesis, one lamb was sacrificed for a person.
In Exodus, one lamb for a household.
On the Day of Atonement, one lamb for a nation.
But Jesus is the Lamb of God for the world.
The blood of bulls and goats could never truly take away sin. Only Jesus could. As Isaiah prophesied, “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
Relationship – “Father…”
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” – Luke 23:46
Christianity is not about religion, it’s about relationship. Religion is man’s attempt to reach God. But God reached down to us through His Son.
Jesus’ first and last words from the cross were both addressed to the Father. Even though the Father turned His back when the sin of the world was laid on Jesus, the relationship was not broken, only the fellowship. Why? Because sin separates us from fellowship, but not from sonship.
Jesus was still the Son. The Father was still His God. And in the same way, believers are adopted into God’s family, not by good works, not by religious ritual, but by a relationship through Jesus Christ.
Release – “…into your hands I commit my spirit.”
When Jesus uttered these words, He was quoting Psalm 31:5 a verse so familiar to Jewish children that it was like their bedtime prayer.
Jesus faced death without fear And you don’t have to be either. Even though Jesus was betrayed, arrested, beaten, and crucified, He was never out of control. It may have looked like His life was in the hands of Caiaphas, Pilate, or Roman soldiers, but Jesus willingly laid down His life. No one took it from Him.
God wants you to put your life in His hands.
Whatever you’re facing hurt, disappointment, fear, uncertainty, put it in God’s hands. Life is in His hands. Healing is in His hands. Miracles are in His hands. The impossible becomes possible when we surrender everything to Him.
Resurrection – “He breathed his last.”
Death was not the end of Jesus’ story. His body, soul, and spirit would reunite three days later in glorious resurrection.
His body was placed in a borrowed tomb. Why? Because He wasn’t going to need it long.
What would the finished work of the cross mean without the resurrection? Without it, our faith would be empty. If this life were all we had, we would be most miserable. But Sunday is coming.
“It may be Friday in your life, but Sunday is coming!”
When you come to the end of yourself, Christ is just beginning. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He spoke the first word, and He has the final word.
Death does not have the last say, not for Jesus, and not for you. When you take your last breath on earth, you’ll take your first in heaven.
Jesus is alive!
If you’re looking for a place to discover God’s purpose and grow in your faith, we’d love to walk with you. Plan your visit to Liberty Live Church or fill out a Connect Card. We’d be honored to meet you and help you take your next step.
