30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”
This is the sixth saying by Jesus on the cross. The Greek for “It is finished” is one word: “Finished!” The papyri used this word for a receipt for taxes, carrying the idea of something being “Paid in full.” Jesus did not say “I am finished” but “Finished,” or “Paid in full.” He fully redeemed those who would believe on Him.
The phrase “It is finished” refers to the completion of Jesus paying for the sins of the world. He fulfilled His purpose for coming to earth. This is a cry of triumph.
Jesus was fully aware that He fulfilled prophecy on the cross (Pss. 42:1-2; 63:1).
And bowing His head, He gave up [handed over] His spirit.
Normally life would ebb away slowly on the cross. Death lingered for days. However, our Lord determined the moment He was to die; He died by decision. He voluntarily “gave up His spirit” or died. The seventh saying on the cross, not recorded here, was “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit” (Lu 23:46).
The words “gave up” are from a Greek word meaning handed over. The idea is to hand over something to a successor. Jesus had the right to hand His life over to the Father. He was in control of the time of His death. He died at the divinely appointed hour.
PRINCIPLE:
Jesus completed everything necessary for the redemption of sinners.
APPLICATION:
Jesus suffered all that was necessary for our sin. He paid for sin past, present, and future. His sacrifice was once for all (He 9:24-28). It met every demand of the law, God’s moral character, in every respect. There is nothing we can do about our salvation. He did it all; all to Him we owe.
It has struck me, from the upper room discourse to Jesus’ death, how deliberate, determined, and decisive our Lord was to die on the cross to pay for our sin. Thank you, Lord.
