When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. -John 19:30
The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” -Revelation 16:17
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. -Revelation 21:5-6
Today, on Good Friday, we remember perhaps the greatest three words besides “He is Risen.” It’s the words that precede that event that come from the lips of Jesus on the cross: “It is Finished.”
Jesus paid in full the price for my sin and your sin and the sin of the world. I like to put it this way: Do you know what “It is finished” means in Greek or really any language for that matter? Wait for it…it is really profound…it means “It is finished!”
You might laugh, but I put it that way to make a point: one of the hardest things for us to truly accept is the simplest of all truths. Jesus death is truly sufficient to atone for all our sin. Therefore, there is no need for any further sacrifice, ritual, or good work to gain us acceptance with God! No sacrifice prior or after is or ever will be sufficient. It was why Jesus had to come and what He came for. He was the only One who could make the perfect sacrifice being only He lived a perfect life. This is why it is called Good Friday and why we call it the Good News!
However, did you know this is not the last time the phrase “It is finished” is used? While the sacrifice for sin to make possible our salvation, redemption, forgiveness and reconciliation with God was finished; the reality is there are many still living apart from God, evil still is at work in the world and heaven has not come to earth. There are more things “yet to be done.”
The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, “It is done!” -Revelation 16:17
The book of Revelation is a glimpse into the future. It details in shockingly vivid and prophetic language judgment that will come on the world. Why will such severe judgment come on the world? Because many reject the only salvation there is: faith in Jesus Christ. Because of this rejection of His suffering in their place, there must be justice and judgment. Because of a refusal to accept God’s mercy that was made available because of God’s wrath wrought on His Son, the world will experience the wrath of God instead of the grace of God. Evil must be punished. The earth must be purified for it has been corrupted. While we remember the darkness of that day when Jesus died for us, there is yet another darkness to come for those who reject Him. That too will be perfect and complete. However, you do not want to be one in that position. Embrace Jesus’ “It is finished” declaration!
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. -Revelation 21:5-6
Just as after Jesus bore the wrath of God for our sin and then rose from the dead to newness of life, so too will the earth, after being judged, experience the renewal of God. Even though Jesus opened the way for us to enter heaven, the kingdom of heaven has not fully come on earth. However, that time will come! The King will return. The kingdom of God will be established. Peace, Righteousness, Joy, Blessing, Justice…all that is right and true will finally be the reality on earth, as it is in heaven. While we experience or see “in-breakings” or glimpses of this at times now; there is a fullness yet to come. Once more Jesus will say “It is Done.” This time not in regard to sin being atoned for, but all things being made new and right as was always meant to be!
It is Finished: Sin has been atoned for…for all who will believe.
It is Done: Judgment will be complete…for those who will not believe.
It is Done: Jesus will make all things new and His kingdom will come…on earth as it is in heaven!
If you will embrace the first “It is finished” you will be spared the second and experience the third. But if you reject the first, you will experience the second and never know the joy of the third.
While all three of these tasks are tasks alone Jesus has done or will do, let me conclude with one task that is left undone that we are called to do.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:18-20
This is the current and present task of the Church! Before judgment will come, God is giving opportunity for all to hear the Gospel and be saved. Before Jesus will come, all must hear. Therefore, it is up to you and I to be focused on completing this one main task: Going into all the world and sharing the Good News. This is why we are here. We are here to be his witnesses in all the world. There is still much work left to do. Let us be faithful therefore, as our Savior is faithful to finish what He begins!
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. -Hebrews 12:1-3
***If you are looking for a way to be involved in truly fulfilling the Great Commission, check out the mission organization I help lead called ServeNow. I would love to connect with you and discuss further. Our main website is: www.weservenow.org. There is also a special division within ServeNow called MediaServe, which specializes in Bible distribution and other innovative Gospel literature that is reaching millions of people around the world: www.mediaserve.org.
Ben Foley 