It Is Finished
Jesus’ last words meant that His suffering was over and the whole work His Father had given Him to do, which was to preach the Gospel, work miracles, and obtain eternal salvation for His people, was done, accomplished, fulfilled. The debt of sin was paid.
John 19:30 (NASB)
30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11 (NASB)
5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Discussion:
For 6 weeks, we have been discussing the execution by means of crucifixion of Jesus the Christ of Nazareth. Describe your emotions as you read and meditate on this statement.
Do you feel relieved that it is finished? Why do you feel relieved?
What's finished?
What debt has been paid in full for you?
• Challenge: Don't say sin.
• Hint: Be as specific as you feel led.
How did Christ pay our debt? Why was he able to pay our debt?
Do we understand the impact of this phrase?
• What do we need to be saved from?
• Why do we need to be saved?
• What happens if we are not saved?
According to Paul, did Jesus deserve to die?
Based off the introduction by Pastor Jeff, why did he need to become like mankind?
Read John 14:6. This was the only way for our salvation from our sin, our rejection of God and His Holiness. We were disobedient and the only way back into His presence was through death. We owed a blood payment to God and Christ in His humanity payed that payment. Who do you know that needs to hear that?
Christ died in our place so that we would not feel the suffering that He felt. He felt physical pain, isolation, and rejection not just from the people He came to serve but from His own father. Who do you know that does not understand that Jesus is the only means to salvation from suffering?
Jesus Came to live the life we could not live. He came to die the death that we deserved. Who do you know that needs to hear that message? How can you lead them to the Savior of the World?
Hints:
a. Pray for them
b. Tell them
c. Invite them to Church (Easter Weekend Services you have 4 options)
Prayer:
Adoration:
Praise God for the Cross and for fulfilling the laws of Moses and the prophecies of the Old Testament. Confess your need for the Savior. Thank God that He sent the son, that the son humbled himself to serve us to the point of death, and that we receive life.
Supplication:
Make your other requests known to God and pray for those you know who need to hear the message of Salvation.