There are many interpretations of Jesus’ Statement of “it is finished” which He spoke from the cross.
Satan hoped he meant, “I’m finished. Satan, I concede.” In satan’s dreams, perhaps, but that was not going to happen.
Some think Jesus meant the torture was almost over and He was finished with that beat up body.
Some think He was finished with His Mission on earth and His statement essentially meant, “Mission complete. Beam Me up now.”
What do you think He meant?
Jesus was intent on fulfilling all of what He was put on earth to do. He made that clear earlier in His Ministry.
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do The Will of Him Who sent Me and to finish His Work.
John 4:34
When Jesus prayed to His Father in the garden, He was pleased to be able to confirm He had indeed done what He was sent to do.
Jesus said to The Father, “I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do.
John 17:4
When Jesus was on the cross, He said, “It is finished!”
John 19:30
Right after that, Jesus said, “Father, into Your Hands I commit My Spirit!’
Luke 23:46
Now at this point in The Easter Story, many take an intermission break. They wait for Easter Sunday and hardly give a second thought to where Jesus was between Friday and Sunday.
Was He in the tomb? No. The second He released His Spirit from His Body, He was no longer attached to that body. It was as if he took off old, tattered clothes and left them there.
He told the former thief on the cross, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Luke 23:43
So we know Jesus was there on that very day. Where else might Jesus have been?
Peter said, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
After being made alive, He went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits- to those who were disobedient long ago.”
1 Peter 3:18-20
Jesus’ Gift of Forgiveness was also given to those who had died before Jesus’ Time on earth. He did just as He said He would. He set the captives free!
So when Jesus said, “It is finished,” He was only referring to one chapter of His Life being completed. He was not finished yet!
While everyone’s attention was focused on the tomb, Jesus was busy!
So what was going on inside that tomb? Stay tuned as tomorrow, we look inside.
