It Is Finished

John records the moment carefully. “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” He didn’t say I am finished. He said it is finished. The work was done.

Hebrews explains what was finished. Under the old system the priests stood every day, offering sacrifices again and again. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.” Priests stand when the work is ongoing. He sat down.

And because it is finished, nothing needs to be added. “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” No more lambs. No more blood. No more trying to pay off a debt that has already been paid in full.

Today is a quiet day, the day between the cross and the empty tomb. Rest in the finished work. You can’t add to it, and you don’t have to.