It Is Finished: The Triumph of the Risen Christ

Have you considered that Easter does not begin with an empty tomb, but with a finished cross? In John 19:30, we are brought onto holy ground: “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  The phrase, "It is finished," is one word in the Greek - tetelestai.  It is not the sigh of a victim. It is the shout of a Victor! Jesus is declaring that everything the Father gave Him to accomplish has been completed. The debt of sin—every failure, every rebellion, every hidden guilt—has been paid completely. Nothing remains. Nothing can be added. Nothing can be taken away. Divine justice has been completely satisfied without being lowered one bit. The law is fulfilled. The curse of the Fall is exhausted. The veil in the Temple that separated the people from God's abiding presence is torn. The way to God is open.

A Sovereign Savior, Not a Helpless Victim
John records a striking detail: “He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”
While subtle, notice that the order in this verse is different from how a normal person would die. We die, and then our head falls.  However, Jesus bowed His head first - and then gave up His spirit. This is not a sign of weakness; it is an expression of authority.  Jesus Himself predicted this when He said in John 10:18: “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” Even in death, He is the active Redeemer. He is not overtaken—He is offering.
He gives Himself willingly. Fully. Perfectly. For any sinner who would come to Him in faith through repentance.

What Does the Finished Work Secure?
From this completed work flows every blessing of salvation:

• Full pardon for the guilty
• Perfect righteousness for the ungodly
• Peace with God for the estranged
• Adoption for the orphaned
• Sanctification for the broken
• Eternal glory for all who are trusting in Christ

While there is no saving blessing outside of Christ, so also in Him, there is no lack whatsoever.  It is a better way than even Adam and Eve, for we are secure on the basis of Christ and in Christ.  Therefore, we can never be disassociated from Christ nor disconnected from the blessings of Christ.

Why Easter Changes Everything
If Good Friday declares, “It is finished,” Easter Sunday declares, “It is accepted.”
The resurrection is God’s public affirmation that the work of Christ is complete and sufficient. As Romans 4:25 teaches: “Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” The empty tomb is not merely a miracle. It is a verdict. It is a statement of spiritual debt satisfied - "Paid in full."  Because Jesus lives forever, our security on the basis of Christ's work is secure forever.

Two Responses That Should Define Our Lives
First, Rest in the Finished Work

• Stop trying to contribute to what Christ has already completed.
• To add to His work is to diminish it.
• To rest in His work is to worship.
• Christ is a full Savior for empty sinners.

Second, Live in Grateful Surrender
If Christ has given Himself fully for you, how can you hold anything back from Him?

• Trust Him - believe that His ways and teaching are to be followed.  
• Value Him - reject the advice and passions of the world, for they are opposed to Christ.
• Live your life centered on Him - this will be a result of the previous two dynamics. 

We see these dynamics fill the sails of the life of the Apostle Paul when he wrote Philippians 1:21: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

May this Easter not be about trying harder, but trusting more completely in life. Why? Because the cross is finished, the tomb is empty, the Savior is risen.  He is risen. He is risen indeed.