"So when Jesus had tasted the sour wine, he said 'It is finished'" (John 19:20).
What did he mean, "it is finished"? Is he referring to the crucifixion (I am glad this is over)? His words convey so much more than that.
Is he referring to the fulfillment of prophecy? Yes, that is part of it. Every prophecy given in the Old Testament was fulfilled even to the last sip of sour wine (Psalm 69:21). That in itself is wonderful because the vast amount of detailed prophesies fulfilled point to his authenticity. But it is more than that.
"It is finished" speaks of the completed work of Christ for us. His words tell us our sins have been paid for, completely. There is nothing for us to do to remove our sin. We couldn't (Ephesians 2:9-10). It tells us we no longer have to live under the guilt and the deadly power of sin (Romans 8:34).
It s finished tells us all that needed to be done to give us victory in our lives was completed in that moment (Hebrews 4:1-12; 2 Peter 1:3).
It is indeed finished.
