It Was Not Finished

 

by David J. Stewart

 

 

       I have often heard preachers make the mistake of saying that Jesus finished his work of atonements on the cross; this is not true.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is defined as the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

 

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1^st Corinthians 15:1-4). 

 

The gospel is simple; Jesus died, was buried and rose again.  However, not even one of these events had taken place yet when Jesus said,” It is finished.”

 

“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.  Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:28-30). 

 

Notice in verse 28 that Jesus was very concerned that all the prophecies concerning Him be fulfilled.   Jesus knew the Old Testament prophecies like no one else did.  Jesus knew exactly what was supposed to happen next so I said, “I thirst.”  After all the prophecies concerning Christ were fulfilled, Jesus then (and only then) said, “It is finished.”  All of the prophecies concerning Christ had been fulfilled up to that moment on the cross, and now Jesus could give up the Spirit and die.  Let us never say that the atonement was finished when Jesus said "it is finished."  Jesus still needed to die, be buried, and rise again.  Thank God, He did just that.