The Finished Work
An 1849 Currier & Ives lithograph shows the tumult surrounding Jesus' crucifixion.
What is left for God to do to complete his work? Is God’s work complete? What about the work of Jesus on the cross? What did the cross of Jesus accomplish in our lives and in this world?
When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, he proclaimed that his saving and redemptive work was finished. The complete debt of sin was paid in full by the Son of God on the cross.
The Gospel of John tells us, “Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:28-30, ESV).
Jesus controlled the timeline of his sacrificial offering of himself on the cross from the very beginning. In John’s Gospel, Jesus said, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (John 10:18, ESV).
In his perfect timing, Jesus chose the cross and finished his perfect work of salvation, and the atoning sacrifice for the sin of the world, once and for all time, on the cross. Jesus’ crucifixion finished the saving work of God for all of humanity. Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Because Jesus died on a cross for all humanity, it is finished. Jesus finished his work on calvary.
May we trust our lives and our salvation to the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
A Collect for Good Friday: “Almighty God, we beseech you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the Cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
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An 1849 Currier & Ives lithograph shows the tumult surrounding Jesus' crucifixion. Geologists say the historical event may have taken place April 3 in the year 33, based on an analysis of seismic records.
