The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross-43

"It is finished"

3. Here we see the goal of the Incarnation is reached.

Scripture indicates there is a special work peculiar to each of the divine persons, though, like the persons themselves, it is not always easy to distinguish between their respective works. God the Father is specially concerned in the government of the world. He ruleth over all the works of his hands. God the Son is specially concerned in the work of redemption: he was the one who came here to die for sinners. God the Spirit is specially concerned with the scriptures: he was the one who moved holy men of old to speak the messages of God, as he is the one who now gives spiritual illumination and understanding, and guides into the truth. But it is with the work of God the Son we are here particularly concerned.

Before the Lord Jesus came to this earth a definite work was committed to him. In the volume of the book it was written by him, and he came to do the recorded will of God. Even as a boy of twelve the "Father’s business" was before his heart and occupied his attention. Again, in John 5:36, we find him saying, "But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do". And on the last night before his death, in that wonderful high-priestly prayer we find him saying, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4).

In his book on the seven sayings of Christ on the cross, Dr Anderson-Berry makes use of an illustration from history which by its striking antithesis shows up the meaning and glory of the finished work of Christ. Elizabeth, Queen of England, the idol of society and the leader of European fashion, when on her death-bed turned to her lady-in-waiting, and said: "O my God! It is over. I have come to the end of it - the end, the end. To have only one life and to have done with it! To have lived, and loved, and triumphed; and now to know it is over! One may defy everything else but this." And as the listener sat watching, in a few moments more, the face whose slightest smile had brought her courtiers to their feet, turned into a mask of lifeless clay, and returned the anxious gaze of her servant with nothing more than a vacant stare. Such was the end of one whose meteoric course had been the envy of half the world. It could not be said that she had "finished" anything, for with her all was "vanity and vexation of spirit". How different was the end of the Saviour - "1 have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."

The mission upon which God had sent his Son into the world was now accomplished. It was not actually finished till he breathed his last, but death was only an instant ahead, and in anticipation of it he cries, "It is finished". The difficult work is done. The divinely-given task is performed. A work more honourable and momentous than ever entrusted to man or angels has been completed. That for which he had left heaven’s glory, that for which he had taken upon him the form of a servant, that for which he had remained upon earth for thirty-three years to do, was now consummated. Nothing remained to be added. The goal of the Incarnation is reached. With what joyous triumph must he here have viewed the arduous and costly work which committed to him had now been perfected!

"It is finished." The mission upon which God had sent his Son into the world was accomplished. That which had been eternally purposed had come to pass. The plan of God had been fully carried out. It is true that the Saviour had been by "wicked hands crucified and slain", yet was he "delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God" (Acts 2:23). It is true that the kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ; nevertheless, it was but for to do what God’s hand and God’s counsel "determined before to be done" (Acts 4:28). Because he is the Most High, God’s secret will cannot be thwarted. Because he is supreme, God’s counsel must stand. Because he is Almighty, God’s purpose cannot be overthrown. Again and again the scriptures insist upon the irresistibility of the pleasure of the Lord God. Because this truth is now so generally called into question we subjoin seven passages which affirm it:

But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth (Job 23:13).

I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought of thine can be hindered (Job 42:2).

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased (Ps. 115:3).

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord (Pro. 21:30).

For the Lord of hosts bath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and Who shall turn it back? (Isa. 14:27).

Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am Clod, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure (Isa. 46:9, 10).

And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Dan. 4:35).

And, in the triumphant cry of the Saviour - "It is finished" - we have a prophecy and pledge of the ultimate carrying out of God’s plan completely and irresistibly. At the end of time, when everything is wound up, and God’s purpose has been fully consummated, when everything has been done which he before determined should be done, then shall it be said again, "It is finished".