It is Finished

Moments before his death, Jesus said, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30). What is the meaning of this word? It is not merely a statement that his life had come to its end. Having fulfilled the mission entrusted to him by the Father, Jesus declares, ‘It is finished’ – it is done, it is complete, the purpose for which I came to the world has been fulfilled!

That is why the Scripture says that Christ “had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:12). He ‘had offered’ - it is already done; ‘for all time’ – it applies to people in all generations, including our own; ‘a single sacrifice’ – he does not need to repeat what is finished and complete.

On the basis of this one perfect sacrifice, God reassures his people, ‘“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more” (Hebrews 10:17). God keeps his promises; his people are forever forgiven.

What then shall we say? Is there a need for more offerings for sin? Do I need to do penance, renew the sacrifice of Christ, or suffer in purgatory to be cleansed from sin? The Bible answers is definitive: “Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin” (Heb 10:18). No more offerings are needed and no other offerings will be accepted by God because the perfect sacrifice of Christ is both sufficient and effective.

It is finished – do you believe this word of Christ? Are you trusting in him and his finished sacrifice alone for the full forgiveness of your sins?

Lord, open our ears to hear an echo of your triumphant word. You have fulfilled the Father’s will to your very last breath. By your perfect obedience, even unto death on a cross, you have accomplished our redemption. Grant us faith God, that for our forgiveness, we cease to rely in the least in our works, but entrust ourselves to Christ and his finished work on the cross.

(Gospel e-Letter - June 2017).