Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - IT IS FINISHED

“IT IS FINISHED”

These were the last words of Christ as He was hung on the cross - His life on earth finished. We all have an idea as to what was referred to by these words but do we really know as to what “it” actually referred to and “finished” really meant? In fact, according to the commentaries, “it” really referred to a number of things and the verb “telco,” used for the word finish, referred to payment of a debt. Therefore, “it is finished” could actually mean “Paid in full.” As such, these last words of Jesus referred to a lot more than just His last days in human form. It comes down to everything being paid in full and accomplished.*

All the types, promises, and prophecies of the ancient prophets 

had been fulfilled and finished.

All of the sacrifices and ceremonies of the priesthood were finished 

and no longer required then or now.

Christ’s perfect obedience to the Father had been done 

and was in many ways an example for all in the future.

The requirement of God’s justice had been satisfied and completed 

and no further requirement was therefore needed. 

God’s satisfaction was complete and finished.

Any power that sin, death, and Satan had over man 

was finished.

And all of this happened because Jesus voluntarily gave His life on earth for us, no one took or commandeered His life from Him. As it is said in John 10:17-18:

Therefore My Father loves Me, 

because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. 

I have power to lay it down,

and I have power to take it again. 

This command I have received from My Father. 

As a result, nothing further has been required from that day on only the acceptance of what already had been accomplished and completed. Unfortunately, many still do not accept what Jesus did for them on the cross many years ago. They still look for other ways to appease God rather than just accepting all that has been finished. Perhaps it’s because it seems hard to believe what happened over 2000 years ago, but sources other than the Bible attest to the validity of the crucifixion. Jesus was mentioned:  

• in a letter written by Mara bar Serapion to his son (ca. AD 73)
• by Josephus, the Jewish historian (ca. AD 90)
• by Tacitus, the Roman historian (ca, AD 110-120)
• in the Babylonian Talmud (ca. AD 200)

We merely have to accept the fact that Jesus did finish the reconciliation of man with God when He died on the cross. Other than that acceptance, and living in that acceptance, nothing more needs be done. For those who believe, It Is Finished.

Just something more to think about.

*in part from David Guzik’s commentary on John 19