Is It Really Finished?

“Because when Jesus said, ‘It is finished,’ I believe He meant it!” – Jefferson Bethke

Blood… I cannot imagine how much there must have been that day. The Passion of Christ, The Son of God, and so many more give you a glimpse of that day. While they try, I believe that what is shown in those films is nothing near what was witnessed that day. From the beatings, the scourging, the beard ripping, and that horrible ridicule that was the crown of thorns. I cannot even begin to fathom the amount of blood that was shed that day. That was deservingly my blood and yours. Every lash of the cat of nine tails, and every point of the crown that was not placed but shoved onto His head. Every bruise was deservingly mine as well. While I was in prayer Saturday night, I could not seem to find any words other than “Thank you.” Thank you God for sending your Son to live a life no other person could. Thank you, Jesus, for living that life and taking my future sins to the cross with you. While I have always been familiar with the topic and have always been thankful for what was done that day, last night was something much different. Once my prayer was over, I turned on the song “Man of Sorrows” by Hillsong. It was there, in my bed, listening to the lyrics of such a passionate song, that I could not contain my tears. These tears came, not because of sadness, but because of the joy that, while I was so deserving of that pain and suffering, I did not have to endure it because of God’s amazing love for me. I am so thankful because I have no doubt that I could not have possibly endured the treatment that Jesus took for me that day.

Why? If you are reading this and believe with everything you are that this story of which I speak is true, you have asked that question at least once. Why did God send His son to die? Why did Jesus willingly take on this if it meant pleasing His father? Why go through the pain and suffering of a crucifixion? Our word “excruciating” is actually related to the word crucifixion. With that in mind, think of the context where the word excruciating is used, and think that word and context is stemmed from the event that was the crucifixion. If that is not enough, Jesus suffered worse than the normal crucifixion. He was beaten, bruised, scourged, punctured by thorns, and THEN nailed to a cross. There is belief that Jesus not only endured one whipping, but two. The first was the normal that many criminals undergo as punishment. One that could be walked away from. Then, the second was the one that many would not even survive. Anybody can do the research to see how horrible the Cat of Nine Tails was and the damage it did to the body, but to have all of that and still go to a cross? Why? Watching movies is hard enough for me, but I cannot imagine the sight seen that day. They say that Jesus was not even recognizable after everything He endured before the cross. WHY??

In the book of Isaiah, we see the prophecy of this event hundreds of years before it would take place that answers the question: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5, ESV). All of this was done for our rescue, for our salvation, and so that we could be healed! In the Gospel of John, we also see another reason: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, ESV) It was not the nails that kept Jesus there, it was the unconditional love of God and Jesus that did. No matter what sin we have committed, or will commit, God loves us still. That is what kept Him on that cross, being mocked by people saying that if He was anything, He would just come down from that cross. But that was not the plan God had.

We have sinned, we have let God down, and we have messed up. Every sin anyone has ever committed was taken that day, but at a cost. Every bruise received, every patch of beard ripped out, every punch thrown, every slander spoken, every lash of the whips, every thorn punctured into His head, every swing of the hammer that drove the nail deeper, that spear that pierced His side on the cross, and EVERY drop of blood shed that day was all because of sin. My sin, your sin, everyone’s sin from past, present, and future. “But God so loved the world…” While we must understand our sin is what caused that day, we must not hold onto it. God loves us so much, then and now, that He sent His son to live a perfect life, and to die a horrible death so that we could find salvation.

So, back to the question in the title, is it really finished? I believe it and Jesus says so: “… He said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30b, ESV). There is your proof. If we believe every word of Jesus, why not believe His final words before He gave up His spirit? Jesus said it, so we should believe it! No holding on and no looking back, it is finished. Find comfort in those words! In his song “Forgiven,” Crowder says:

I'm the one who held the nail

It was cold between my fingertips

I've hidden in the garden

I've denied You with my very lips

God, I fall down to my knees

with a hammer in my hand

You look at me, arms open

Forgiven! Forgiven!

Child there is freedom from all of it

Say goodbye to every sin

You are forgiven!

I've done things I wish I hadn't done

I've seen things I wish I hadn't seen

Just the thought of Your amazing grace

And I cry, “Jesus, forgive me!”

God, I fall down to my knees

with a hammer in my hand

You look at me, arms open

Forgiven! Forgiven!

Child there is freedom from all of it

Say goodbye to every sin

You are forgiven!

F-O-R-G-I-V-E-N… WE ARE FORGIVEN!!! Find joy in that, find peace in that. While we may hold the nail and hammer every day, IT IS FINISHED! God’s arms are open wide. I cannot wait for the day when I am in heaven and see Jesus and just fall to my knees thanking Him for what He did that day, can you?

“That he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”

- 1 Corinthians 15:4