Station 12: It Is Finished

John 19:28-30

28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

FOR FURTHER READING:
Matthew 27:42-56 | Luke 23:44-49

REMEMBER

Darkness. Pain. Watching in horror. Can you imagine? Jesus finally cried out as He sensed His final moments approaching, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?!” – “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?!” This was the moment we see the ultimate humanity of Jesus, falling into the grasps of death. When He received a drink from the sponge, He took His last breath, saying, “It is finished.”

At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed. “Surely He was the Son of God!” They finally believed.

The torn veil is something we can’t look past. Once a year, the High Priest would enter through the veil into the Presence of God to offer the Sacrifice of Atonement and ask God for forgiveness for the people. It was set up as a way to limit access because the presence of God was too holy for everyone to experience. It required sacrifice, penance for the sin we carry. In this moment, the penance for all was paid so that all are welcomed into God’s presence.

RECOGNIZE

When Jesus said “It is finished”, He declared that the debt for sin had been completely paid. The veil was torn and access to the Father was given to any who would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What do these three words mean to you?

Take a moment to write out what things are finished in your life because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

RECEIVE

Heavenly Father, thank You for removing all of the barriers that my sin has caused and welcoming me into Your family.  My sin separated us, but You overcame my sin and have offered to love me unconditionally! Not only that, but You have given me authority over sin and by your blood I can declare, “It is finished!”