Fulfillment...

Jesus often spoke in vague references, and his words frequently had more than one meaning.  I think that is especially the case with this intriguing statement found in John 19:30.

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished."  With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  (NIV)

It is difficult to separate his statements from yesterday and today, because they are intertwined with the last moments of his life, and they really go together.

Once again, of course, there was a human element in his statement, as his life was literally ending.  But I think, as before, his meaning went beyond the words he uttered.  Going back to the actual word he used in ancient Greek, tetelestai, which means paid in full, I think this goes directly to the reason for Jesus becoming human.  He came to earth in human form to do what we could not - to redeem us, to buy us back, from the outcome our sinful selves had earned.  His payment, the sinless life and blameless death, was now complete, finished.

I also believe as his suffering was at last coming to an end, he was acknowledging himself as the Savior to whom the prophets had referred, and his death as the fulfillment of their prophecies.  Until this point, Jesus always demurred to answer the question of whether he was the Messiah.  He allowed others to speak on his behalf, or asked them who they thought he was.  But now, as his earthly life was ending, he finally acknowledged, for the few who remained, exactly what his mission had been, and how he had fulfilled his role in our salvation.

Why then?  What prompted him to acknowledge, at last, why he had lived, and ultimately died?

I think as he finished with the earthly part of his life, he was preparing for the hardest battle of all, the fight with Satan for the salvation of our souls.  The devil is a sore loser, and Jesus knew he would not give up willingly.  That final victory would only come when he escaped the clutches of Satan's snare, and he was resurrected from the grave.

In his last moments of life, the love of Jesus continued.  These words, uttered as his followers sadly watched his life ebb away, confused and uncertain about the fate which had struck down their teacher, their leader, their friend, were given in reassurance, if only they had understood.  Although Jesus would momentarily descend into the utter darkness of a hell where God is absent, his love unavailable, with no hope or relief from the despair of sin, our ultimate redemption was already assured, the battle was already won, victory was on the horizon, and God was already with them.

Today I am grateful for the fulfillment of God's promise in the death of Jesus.  As he finished his earthly life, he secured for me, and for everyone who accepts his grace, eternal life with God by paying our debt in full with his sacrifice.