WHAT WAS FINISHED AT CALVARY ?
John 19:28-37

Introduction:      As Jesus was preparing to give His life a ransom for Sin, the Bible tells us that He made this simple statement. "It is finished!" This was not the cry of a defeated man, but it is instead, the shout of a victor! When Jesus Christ said these three little words, He was telling the world that something great had been accomplished. In fact, there were three great matters that were forever settled that day on the cross. What Was Finished At Calvary That Day?

I.          THE PAIN OF REDEMPTION (V. 28)

A.        The Crucifixion Of Christ Was Agonizing

You and I cannot even begin to imagine all the pain that Jesus was forced to endure for our sakes. He suffered for sin that day. 1. Scourged - Matt. 27:26 2. Beaten - Luke 22:63-64 3. Spit upon - Matt. 27:30 4. Mocked - Matt. 27:26-29 5. Nailed to the Cross - Matt. 27:38; John 20:25 6. Stripped Naked - Matt. 27:35 7. Beard Plucked from His Face - Isa. 50:6. These truths don't even begin to scratch the surface of all Jesus suffered for us, (Isa 52:14) “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:”

B.         The Crucifixion Of Christ Was Humiliating

(Heb 12:2) "... who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Think of it, the Son of God was stripped naked before the world and nailed to the cross. He endured the most shameful death that anyone could ever know, (Gal 3:13) "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

C.         The Crucifixion Of Christ Was Isolating

There was severe pain, cruel shame, but perhaps the greatest agony Jesus suffered while on the cross was the judgment that came from His Father. When Jesus was on that cross, He literally became the sins of the world. Then the Father judged the Lord Jesus as if He were every sinner that ever lived! This was the greatest agony that Jesus was forced to endure, because for the first time ever, there was a gulf between Him and the Father. Why did the Lamb of God willingly offer up His life an atonement for our sin?

II.         THE PLAN OF REDEMPTION (V. 28)

A.        The Plan’s Inception

From the beginning of time, God had always planned to send His Son to die for sinners. This was His promise to Adam - Gen. 3:15. This was portrayed in the offerings and sacrifices of the Tabernacle and Temple . Everything God did pointed to this day when Jesus would lay down His life on the cross.

B.         The Plan’s Exception

Since the beginning of humanity death, suffering and bloodshed were always a part of mankind's coming to the Lord (Illus: when man sinned in the Garden).

·         We see it in Gen. 4, when Abel brought a lamb to be offered. We find it in Gen. 8, when Noah offered a sacrifice after the flood. We see it in Ex. 12 when the children of Israel killed the Passover lamb on the eve of the Exodus. We see it on the Day of Atonement when the lambs were killed to make atonement for the people. We see it in the blood that was shed for thousands of years.

·         However, all this bloodshed, and all this death and suffering saved no one, (Heb 10:11) "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:" It merely rolled the sins ahead for a period of time. Those Old Testament believers were saved by faith looking forward to a promised Messiah who would die for sins, while we are saved by faith looking back to the promised Messiah who did die for sins!

C.         The Plan’s Perfection

The death of Jesus on the cross dealt with the sin issue forever! Now, everything God requires to make men righteous and to take away their sins is found in the Blood of Jesus Christ! There is just one means of salvation, and regardless of who you are you must be washed in the Blood of Jesus if you expect to see Heaven. (Illus: "What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!")

III.       THE PAYMENT OF REDEMPTION (V. 30)

A.        This Payment Satisfies The Father

When Jesus said, "It is finished", it meant that God the Father in Heaven was satisfied with what Jesus the Son had done on the cross. God accepted the Son's death and shed blood as the perfect payment for our sins, (Isa 53:11) "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities." (Illus: The Bible tells us that Jesus is the "Propitiation" for our sins, Rom. 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10. The word "propitiation" carries the idea of "Appeasing". It literally refers to the “Mercy Seat” covering of the Ark of the Covenant the place where the blood was applied on the Day of Atonement. Jesus is that which satisfies and appeases God!)

B.         This Payment Sanctifies The Believer

That is good news for people like you and me! The Bible plainly tells us that the best we can do is like filthy rags in the sight of the Lord, Isa. 64:6. At our best we are only sinners. However, since Jesus has satisfied the Father, then I do not have too! If I am in Him, then the Father accepts Christ's appeasing, atoning death for me also. What does this mean?

·         It means that we do not have to work for our salvation, Eph. 2:8-9. Even if we tried, we could never please the Lord. However, He is already pleased with Jesus! If I can be found in Him, then I will be accepted by God because of my relationship with Jesus Christ, Phil. 3:9.

·         It means that our salvation comes to us on the basis of pure, simple faith, Acts 16:31.

·         It means that while God would never accept me as I really am, He will receive me in His Son.

Now, my friends, because in Jesus it is truly finished, God asks no more of you than for you to place your faith in the work that Jesus finished on the cross. If you can accept the truth that He died on the cross, that He arose from the dead the third day and that He shed His blood to wash away your sins, then you can be saved, Rom. 10:9-10!

Conclusion:       Because "it is finished", believers can enjoy salvation through the blood of Jesus without having to fear that our works aren't good enough. We can enjoy fellowship with the Lord knowing that He will accept us because we have accepted His Son. Are you saved? As far as God is concerned, it is finished! What about in your heart and life? Is it finished for you?