Pastor's Pen: It is finished! Hallelujah, what a Saviour

There is something immensely satisfying to look at something you have spent long hours working on, maybe thinking at some stage that you would never get the job completed. How satisfying to look at the finished article and to declare '“ 'It is finished.'
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Apr 2016, 07:00 BST
Rev Frank McKeown.Rev Frank McKeown.
Rev Frank McKeown.

The Lord Jesus ended His work and suffering on the Cross of Calvary with the words – “It is finished!” In the original language in which John recorded these words, only one word is spoken by the Lord Jesus – not three words but one – FINISHED.

It was the cry of victory and of completion. He had fulfilled the purpose of his coming to earth – the purpose of his suffering. In this one word, the Saviour declared a fact, a truth so wonderful that satan has been busy ever since trying to hide from the minds of men and women the meaning of Jesus’ last triumphant cry. As a result there are millions of earnest, sincere, seeking souls who long for peace and rest but have not yet realised that salvation is a completed work. There is nothing more to be done.

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Jesus’ death and resurrection has made salvation possible for all who believe. Yet so many work and sacrifice, doing things they feel will merit for them the favour of God.

Stand with me once more before that cross. In that deep darkness when God the Father hid His face from His Son, hear the Saviour’s powerful cry – “IT IS FINISHED!” At that moment the earth shook, the rocks were split and the graves were opened (Matthew 27 V 51-52). His work of salvation was complete. I hope that you can say – “Praise God, it is finished FOR ME.”

• The author and hymn writer Philip P. Bliss wrote: “Lifted up was He to die, ‘It is finished’, was His cry; Now in heaven exalted high; Hallelujah, what a Saviour!”

By Rev Frank McKeown

Related topics:Jesus