This week in our Weekly SERMON of the “Seven Words of Christ at Calvary,” we come to the sixth statement, the words of VICTORY, "It is finished.” These words come from John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished; and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” The purpose for which our Lord came into the world, “to seek and to save that which was lost,” reached its climax when He bowed His head on the cross and gave up His spirit. In the original language of the text, the apostle John recorded Jesus’ expression in those final moments with the Greek word “Tetelestai” which is translated “It is finished.” Here in John 19, please notice the word "accomplish" in verse 28 and the words, "It is finished" in verse 30. Both words come from the same Greek word "TETELESTAI"

In Matthew 11:1 the word is translated "When Jesus MADE AN END of commanding His disciples."

In Matthew 17:24 the word is translated "…Doth not the Master PAY tribute?."

In Luke 2:39 the word is rendered "And when they had PERFORMED all things…"

In Luke 18:31 the word is translated, "All things that are written…concerning the Son shall be ACCOMPLISHED."

By including all four of these translations when Jesus cried, "TETELESTAI," on the cross He was actually saying, "It is made an end of," "It is paid," "It is performed:" "It is accomplished." Perhaps the phrase in John 19:30 could be rendered, "IT STANDS FINISHED FOREVER." Another way of saying this would be, "THE DEBT OF SIN IS PAID, IN FULL, FOREVER." Our Lord viewed His work on Calvary as a FOREVER, FINISHED WORK.

The story is told of a young man who came forward in a Gospel meeting, earnestly asking, “What can I do to be saved?” Knowing the man thought he had to accomplish something by his own efforts to gain redemption, the Christian worker responded to the anxious inquirer, “You’re too late!” “Oh, don’t say that,” exclaimed the distressed seeker, “I really want salvation; I’d do anything or go anywhere to obtain it.” “I’m sorry,” replied the other, “you’re too late for that. Your salvation was completed many hundreds of years ago at Calvary. IT’S A FINISHED WORK! All you have to do is simply receive Christ. Then the blessed gift He offers will become yours through HIS MERITS.” Realizing his great debt was paid, the seeking soul found peace by looking to the Savior and resting his all upon the grace of God. Someone wrote, “Believing Christ died, that is HISTORY; believing Christ died for me, that is SALVATION!”

One to the most blessed hymns of our faith, sung throughout the year and especially in the weeks leading up to Easter, is “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”  While preparing for a communion service in 1707, Isaac Watts wrote this deeply moving and very personal expression of gratitude for the amazing love that the death of Christ on the cross revealed. As you meditate upon this hymn, consider saying with Isaac Watts: “my soul, my life, my ALL!”

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God;

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, He hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

May again your heart be enraptured at the cross of Calvary, where our eternal redemption was forever paid by the Lord Jesus Christ. Again I trust over these weeks leading up to the RESURRECTION, you will slow down and ponder our so great salvation, at the cross of Christ.