28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
John 19:28-37 (KJV)
It is finished.
This English phrase is from a word that is very expressive and filled with meaning. It is a servant’s word when a task had been completed. It can also be a priest’s word when a sacrificial animal was found to be worthy. It is also a farmer’s word when a perfect specimen had been bord into the flock. Or it can be an artist’s word when the final touches had been applied to a masterpiece. Therefore, it is plain to see that this word is not the cry of a defeated man, but it is instead, the shout of a victor!
The pain of redemption was finished.
“Redemption” means the act of delivering from sin or purchasing back. The death of Christ was an absolute torture. He was scourged (Matthew 27:26), beaten (Luke 22:63-64), spit upon (Matthew 27:30), mocked (Matthew 27:26-29), nailed to the cross (Matthew 27:38, John 20:25), stripped naked (Matthew 27:35), and His beard plucked from His face (Isaiah 50:6). There was severe pain, cruel shame. (Matthew 27:46)
He did all these because He loves us (1 John 4:19); and He wanted to prove His love for us (Romans 5:8).
The plan of redemption was finished.
Jesus reached the end of His ministry on the cross. (Revelation 13:8) This great plan was perfectly, completely and forever finished when the Lamb of God died on the cross! Everything God requires to make men righteous and to take away their sins is found in the blood of Jesus Christ!
The payment of redemption was finished.
When Jesus said, “it is finished,” it means that God, the Father, was satisfied with what Jesus, the Son, had done on the cross. God accepted the Son’s death and shed blood as the perfect payment for our sins. (Isaiah 53:11)
Jesus Christ was the propitiation or the atonement for our sins. (Romans 3:25, 1 John 2:2). The word “propitiation” carries the idea of appeasing. It literally refers to the covering of the ark of the covenant, or the place where the blood was applied on the day of atonement. Literally, Jesus is that which satisfies and appeases God! (Isaiah 64:6)