All hope of human history hinges on two three-word statements, “It is finished,” and “He has risen.” The former statement Jesus cried while on the cross. Many would see the cross as a great tragedy, the victimization of a good man, when, in fact it was purposeful by divine decree. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished”, He affirmed that the saving work the Father commissioned Him to do had been completed on the cross. It was a success – realized purpose. It was a completed action that produced a state of being in the present. That current state can be summarized in the following realities:
He shattered the lie of the adversary: Jesus came to “destroy the works of the Devil” (1 Jn. 3:8; Heb. 2:14); the lie that alienates man from God. Through His death He established the truth that sets us free.
He satisfied the Father’s necessary and holy wrath: His separation from the Father was the necessary judgment of sin and unrighteousness. A good God must oppose evil. He did this in Jesus’ death -- once for all -- which is why He is the propitiation for our sins (Rom 3; 1 Jn 2)
He took the record of our debt and nailed to the cross: The legal demands of our debt -- the righteous requirement of the law (Col 2:14) – have been paid in full. In Jesus’ death we have the basis for forgiveness.
Opened the door for us to accepted by holy God: We are now reconciled to God because through His death, Jesus “made many to be accounted righteous” (Isa. 53:11). This action established the basis for our justification. We are welcomed into the Father’s presence and delight because Jesus bore our iniquities. He was made sin for us, so that we could become His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21).
He laid the foundation for the household of God: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone” (1 Pete 2:4-7; Ps.118:22). This household of God is the family of God, the new humanity. We are new creations in Christ because we are born of God.
The angel announced, “He is not here, He has risen, as He said” (Matt. 28:6). The ensuing narrative of John 20 makes clear that the resurrection of Jesus establishes the following five certainties for us:
Paternity: The resurrection of Jesus opens the door to a familial relationship with God. Jesus referred to His followers as “brothers,” and the stated that He is going to “My Father, and your Father” (John 20:17).
Peace: Jesus said “peace be with you” numerous times (John 20:19, 21, 26) after His resurrection because an encounter with reality and power far beyond human capacity leaves one gripped by insecurity and dread. Jesus offers tranquility and freedom from worry, and, in one word communicates, “Nothing can touch you outside of my tender care” (see John 14:27).
Purpose: Jesus’ resurrection offers clarity about the meaning of life. We no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who for our sakes died and was raised (2 Cor. 5:15). He is our highest good, our chief ambition, and our deepest satisfaction (Ps. 16:11).
Presence: Now in His glory, Jesus granted His followers the Holy Spirit that He had promised in John 7:37-38. His Spirit grants us the resource and power to live out His purpose – the call to live the greatest story of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Proclamation: Thomas knew that the physical resurrection of Jesus meant that all of His works and claims were true and meaningful – that everything hinges on this event – rightly proclaimed, “My Lord and my God.” It is a confession that Jesus was His creator and master – the point to His existence. This is the proclamation of every life captivated by the historic reality of Jesus’ resurrection.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4
Copyright © 2024 Grace Bible Church, All rights reserved.