His Final Words: “It Is Finished”

by David Chadwick

Final words. Defined as “the final things said in an argument or a discussion.” I love to think about all of the final words that Jesus spoke as he put an end to the argument of who would end up having the victory between him and Satan.

Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection settled the discussion once and for all when he took back the keys that Adam relinquished in the Garden of Eden. And now, because of the victory on the cross, he holds those keys forever (Revelation 1:18)!

The finality of Jesus’s victory is shown in these final words in John 19:30, “It is finished.”

What is the “it” that Jesus is referencing?

It is his 33-year mission on earth, fully God and fully man, and sent purposefully by the Father to accomplish the work of salvation for mankind. The “it” is the assignment that the Father asked him to take on when he left the splendor of heaven to enter the squalor of this world. “It” is the battle that Jesus set out to win!

“Is” is significant because Jesus knew of the present tense reality of the future hope. He did not say, “It will be finished,” he said, “It IS finished.” He lived out Hebrews 11:1, being sure of what was hoped for and confident of what was not yet seen. The present tense use of “is” was a display of his confidence and assurance.

And then “finished.” Completed. Accomplished. Finalized. Brought to fruition. The work was done. The battle had been won!

Jesus met the righteous requirements of the law in every way (Romans 8:4). He lived in perfect obedience to everything the Father demanded and asked him to do. Where the first Adam failed in disobedience, the second Adam, Jesus, succeeded in perfect obedience to the Father’s will.

Our sin debt was paid in full. Jesus paid it all! All to him we owe. Our sins are forever forgiven.  We need never fear death.

All the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in perfection. To be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:7) to the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 bearing our sins for his glory, now finished! On the cross, the Father’s love manifested to us all.