John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. There never existed but one Being who in truth could affirm of His work — "It is finished!" Incompleteness and defect trace the most vast, elaborate and accomplished products of human genius and power. Let us consider these words as — I. THE CRY OF A SUFFERER. Contemplate — 1. His Divine dignity. "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd and against the man that is my fellow," &c. Upon the doctrine of Christ's Deity reposes the fabric of the atonement. 2. The expiatory and vicarious character of His sufferings. "He was wounded for our transgressions," &c. 3. These sufferings were unparalleled and intense. That is a sublime sentence "on the liturgy of the Greek Church — "Thine unknown agonies." (1) There was the physical element. (2) There was mental agony, and what He endured in His mind who can conceive? (3) But the soul-suffering was more intense than all.My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. The billows of God's wrath began now to penetrate His nature. When a vessel coursing its way over the ocean is arrested by a storm, as long as his gallant bark ploughs its way, and keeps its course, the mariner treads its deck undaunted by fear, confident in its strength and firmness. But let the cry be heard, "A leak! the waters are coming in!" And in a moment despair enters, and the hearts of the stern sons of the sea die within them. That was the moment of our Lord's unknown agony, when He could explain, "Save Me, O God, for the waters are come into My soul." In what else can we resolve all this mystery of agony but in the "love of Christ which passeth knowledge." Oh mystery of suffering! Oh deeper mystery of love! 4. But these sufferings now are over. Rejoice, then, that the tempest will no more beat around him, and all the sorrow, through which He leads you home to Himself, hath not one drop of the curse to embitter it. He took your cup of grief and of the curse, drank it to its dregs, then filled it with His love, and gave it back for you to drink, and to drink for ever. II. THE LANGUAGE OF A SAVIOUR Those words speak hope to the hopeless, pardon to the guilty, acceptance to the lost. He had finished all that justice asked, that the law demanded; and opened the bright pathway for the sinner to retrace his steps back to God, and once more feel the warm embrace of his Father's forgiving love. III. THE SHOUT OF A CONQUEROR. Christ was a man of war, our glorious Joshua was He. He met His foes on the battle field, confronted all His enemies, and on the cross He destroyed — He divested death of its sting, triumphed over Satan, the grave, and hell. Conclusion: 1. What a spring of comfort is here for the true believer amid his innumerable failures, flaws, and imperfections. What service do you perform, what duty do you discharge, of which you can say, "It is finished?" But "Ye are complete in Him." God beholds you in Christ, "wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved." 2. If Christ's atoning work is finished, what folly and sin to attempt to supplement it! Away with your tears, confessions, duties, charities, even your repentance and faith, if these things dare to take their place side by side with the finished work of Christ. 3. Let me warn you of the utter worthlessness and fallacy of all grounds of faith, and of all human hope that comes in conflict with the finished work of Christ. 4. Beware of the errors of the day, the tendency of which is to veil the light and glory of Christ's finished work, and to mislead, misguide, and misdirect souls on their way to the judgment seat. (O. Winslow, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. |
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