It is Finished

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

In Matthew 27:45 we read the following of these final moments of Jesus: “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.” There was literal darkness between the hours 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. while Jesus hung on the cross. He died at 3 p.m. at the time when the passover lamb was slaughtered and other sacrifices were offered for the feast of Passover of Leviticus 23:4-8. He died after being on the cross for about six hours. In Matthew 27:51 and 54 we read that there was also an earthquake,

‘I thirst’ this is the 13th Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in John that was given in Psalm 69:21. It was customary to give a stupefying potion to intoxicate and help alleviate sufferings (Pro. 31:6), but Christ refused it so as to suffer the full penalty for sin, sober and in His right mind. Three drinks were offered to Christ: Upon His arrival at Calvary (Matt. 27:33-34, Mark 15:22-23); when He was on the cross before the criminal cried for mercy (Luke 23:36); and at the end of His life (Matt. 27:48; John 19:29).

In Matthew 27:46 we read that about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice and said: “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?” Controversy still rages as to what language Christ spoke here. Some say Hebrew, others say Syriac, and still, others say Aramaic. One thing is certain – no one near the cross seemed to understand what He said and there were people there who could understand all these languages (Mark 15:35). This was no doubt the hardest part of His sufferings and also the cup to pass Him by [being separated from the Father because of our sin] that He referred to when praying in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:39). Having been with the Father from all eternity without the slightest separation, it was hard to be forsaken even for a moment. This was necessary because God could not condone sin even if it were borne by His only begotten Son. This emphasizes the awfulness of sin and that it must be put away if fellowship with God is desired (Isa. 59:2; 1Jn. 1:7; Heb. 12:14; Tit. 2:11-14).

In Matthew 27:51 we see that when He finally died the veil of the temple was rented in two from the top to the bottom. There were two veils: one at the entrance of the Holy Place and the other between this and the Holy of Holies into which the high priest alone went once a year to atone for the sins of the people (Heb. 9:2-9). They were 18 meter high from the ceiling to the floor. The rending of the veil signified that the middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles was broken down (Eph. 2:14-18) and that each believer now could have personal access to God (Heb. 9:8; 10:19-23; Eph. 2:14-18).

Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39 and Luke 23:47 mentions the centurion – a Roman officer of 100 men – and they that were with him, that were watching Jesus while all these things happened and he said: “Truly this was the Son of God.”

‘It is finished’ the Greek word teleo meaning to “make an end” (Matt. 11:1); “finish” (Matt. 13:53; 19:1; 26:1; John 19:30; 2Tim. 4:7; Rev. 10:7; 11:7; 20:5) etc. Sixteen things are finished: Fulfilment of all scriptures of the sufferings of Christ (Psa. 22:1-31; Isa. 53:1-12; Luke 24:25-26, 44; John 19:28; 1Pet. 1:11; 3:18). The defeat of satan (John 12:31-32; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 2:14-15). The breaking down of the middle wall of partition to make Jews and Gentiles one (Eph. 2:14-18; 3:6; 1Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:28; Rom. 10:1-21). Way for personal access to God (Eph. 2:18-19; Heb. 10:19-38). The cancellation of the reign of death (Rom. 5:12-21; 6:9; 8:2; 1Cor. 15:1-58; 2Cor. 3:6-15; Heb. 2:14-15) as well as the cancellation of sin’s power (Rom. 6:1-23; 8:2; 1Cor. 15:54-58). The demonstration of obedience and love to death (Php. 2:8; Heb. 5:8-10; 1Pet. 2:21; 4:1). The perfection of Christ (Heb. 2:10; 5:8-11). Salvation from all sin (Matt. 26:28; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:15; Rev. 1:5; 5:9-10). Making peace between God and man (Rom.5:1-11; 2Cor. 5:14-21; Col. 1:20-22). The death penalty is paid for all (Rom. 5:6-8; 1Cor. 6:19-20; 2Cor. 5:14-21; Heb. 2:9-15; 1Pet. 1:19). The cancellation of the mortgage claim of satan and freeing of man and his dominion from sin and satan (Rom. 8:18-24; 14:7-9; 1Cor. 6:19-20; 2Cor. 5:14-15; 1Thess. 5:10; Heb. 2:9-15; 1Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:9-10; 21:1-22:5). The satisfaction of the full justice of God (Gen. 2:17; John 3:16; Rom. 3:21-26; 5:1-11). Physical healing for all (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 8:17; 13:15; John 10:10; Jas. 5:14-16; 1Pet. 2:24). A way for the full endowment of power and full anointing of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-8,33; Gal. 3:13-14). Blotting out of the Old Covenant and making and sealing of the New Covenant (Matt. 26:28; 2Cor. 3:6-15; Gal. 3:13-25; 4:21-31; Eph. 2:14-18; Col. 2:14-17; Heb. 7:11-28; 8:6 – 10:1-18)

‘Gave up the ghost’ gave up His soul and spirit which left the body and went into hell to preach (1Pet. 3:19), and liberate all righteous souls (Psa. 16:10; Matt. 12:40; Eph. 4:8-10; Heb. 2:14-15). The soul never goes to the grave with the body nor is it unconscious (Psa. 16:10; Isa. 14:9; 2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:22-23; Jas. 2:26; Rev. 6:9-11; 20:11-15). All souls are immortal (Matt. 10:28; Luke 16:19-31; 1Pet. 3:4; 4:6). Souls go out at death and come back into the bodies in resurrection (1Kin. 17:20-22; 2Sam. 12:19-23; Job 14:10; Luke 8:49-56; 16:22; 23:43-46; 2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24; Jas. 2:26; 2Pet. 1:13-15; Rev. 6:9-11).