It Is Finished!

Finish: to bring to an end, to conclude, defeat or destroy.

In order for something to be finished, there first has to be a beginning. On some levels, many things began in the Garden of Eden "...when the women <Eve> saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and... she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat" (Genesis 3:6). In other words, when Eve and then Adam ate the forbidden fruit. With those bites came the consciousness of sin, of condemnation, and spiritual separation from God. And this my friends, is where it all began...

In the old testament, when people sinned, the high priest would offer sacrifices once a year for the sins of the people; but the blood of animals could only cover sin - it could never redeem or take away sin. In fact, Hebrews 10:4-5 tells us, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me."

Jesus came into this earth to forgive us of our sins, iniquities, and transgressions; to teach us; to direct us; to heal us from all manner of sickness and diseases; and ultimately - to die for us. He came to pay the penalty for our sins. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

When Jesus said “'it is finished' and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost,” it was a shout of victory and it was then that our sins were nailed to the cross (John 19:30). II Corinthians 5:21 tells us, "For He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." He had just paid the ultimate price and it was sufficient to pay for our sins. In other words, He had just bought us back - not with silver and gold, but with His own blood - and this gave us the right to spend eternity with Him and the Father.

So we know it started in the Garden with Eve and Adam and now, my friends, we know when it all ended. When Jesus said, “it is finished,” we no longer had to carry around condemnation; we don’t have to be spiritually separated from the Lord. He concluded all the works of the Father. He was the perfect sacrifice.

This Passover service, Resurrection Sunday, or Easter - no matter what you called it, please remember that this season is not about hiding eggs, receiving Easter baskets, or bunny rabbits - instead, it's all about Jesus dying on the old rugged cross for your sins and for mine.

With all that said, let the Church say Amen and... AMEN!