John 19:30 "When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."
The word tells us that Jesus redemptive purpose has been fulfilled. The earthly ministry of our Saviour had come to an horrific end (so you think) but a glorious beginning for all man kind. The verb here carries the idea of fulfilling one's obligations. The Gospel of John tells us (see John 17:4). "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." The phrase "I have finished" means "I have made perfect or completed." Christ had finished His active ministry. He now assumes a passive role. (see 19:30), The passive voice "It is finished" suggest that He has finished His passive ministry as well. Through the miracles Jesus did and the messages; He brought glory to the Father. Jesus said that He had done the works of the Father. He also said, if they had seen Him they had seen the Father. Jesus brought the good news of the gospel to the earth. He also brought salvation through faith, and not works (For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God) His teaching was exactly as He and the Father planned. The Book of Isaiah 6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" His miracles caused many to believe on the Father and the Son. The cross would be the final work. Jesus hung on the cross six hours (6 hours - time of work). The work was completed and the rest would begin. Jesus tells us in His last words, "It is finished". The entire work of redemption had been brought to completion. The single Greek word here (translated "it is finished"), has been found in the papyri (ancient text) being placed on receipts for taxes meaning "paid in full" (see Col. 3:13-14). "He gave up the ghost" signalling that Jesus "handed over" His spirit as an act of His will. No one took His life from Him, for He voluntarily and willingly gave it up. What was finished? The work on the cross: six hours of suffering. The work of Salvation had been made available for all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scriptures (From Genesis to Revelations) had now been fulfilled. In (Luke 23:46), we learn that Jesus commanded His Spirit to leave His body and go to the Father. At this moment, nothing was left on the cross, but the empty shell of a body.
