It is finished John 19 30 The love

‘It is finished’ (John 19: 30)

• The love song of the 1904 Welsh revival Here is love vast as the ocean, Loving kindness as the flood, When the Prince of life, our ransom, Shed for us his precious blood. Who his love will not remember? Who can cease to sing his praise? He can never be forgotten Throughout heaven’s eternal days.

On the Mount of Crucifixion, Fountains opened deep and wide; Through the floodgates of God’s mercy Flowed a vast and gracious tide. Grace and love, like mighty rivers, Poured incessant from above, And heaven’s peace and perfect justice Kissed a guilty world in love. • That’s what Calvary is all about

There is … • no preacher like the dying Christ • no pulpit like the wooden cross • no congregation like those gathered • no sermon like his seven last words

Seven words of love … When Jesus was doing his greatest work on earth, he was saying some of his finest words Words are like windows – when we look through them, we gaze into eternity and catch a glimpse of the heart of God

• The tragedy of Calvary Lord, make Calvary real to me! Jesus, dying in agony; Thy great sacrifice let me see – Lord, make Calvary real to me! • The triumph of Calvary • The cross answers the question we often ask: ‘Where was God when …? ’

• Jesus did not say: ‘I am finished’ • It means that Calvary covers it all – yesterday, tomorrow, and forever ‘Having entered with his own blood into the holy place, he has obtained eternal redemption for us’ (Hebrews 9: 12) • The Greek word is ‘tetelestai’ – a word used by different types of people, e. g.

• It was used by an artist when he had finished his painting … • The OT was God’s picture gallery in the shadows – however, when Jesus came, he completed the picture Before the stars were hung or planets fashioned, Before the clay was formed to make a man, Christ was the Lamb of God for sinner’s offered, This was redemption’s one and only plan.

• It was used by a slave when he had finished his task … • Suffered viciously at hands of cruel men • Suffered vindictively and vengefully at the hand of Satan • Suffered vicariously at the hand of God O teach me what it meaneth, That cross uplifted high, With one – the man of sorrows – Condemned to bleed and die.

• It was used by a priest when he had finished examining the sacrifice … • Jesus – a Lamb without spot or blemish • The Day of Atonement – once a year • Jesus did what no one else had done The head that once was crowned with thorns, Is crowned with glory now; A royal diadem adorns The mighty victor’s brow.

• By his death, Jesus conquered death • The devil met his Waterloo at Calvary • The battle is fought – the victory is won Lifted up was he to die, ‘It is finished’ was his cry; Now in heaven, exalted high, Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

The message of a finished work is this … There was no other way, A God of love could find, To reconcile the world, And save a lost mankind. It took the death of his own Son Upon a tree; There was no other way – But Calvary!