by When Jesus spoke His sixth phrase on the cross ─ John 19:28-30 ─ He finalized what could be added to the Gospel, absolutely nothing. The scriptures had now been fulfilled that God’s plan of redemption for mankind could be accomplished. There was no turning back for our Savior.
At this point on the cross, the disciples had already fled in defeat (Matthew 26:56). In three days, other disciples would wonder aimlessly towards Emmaus in defeat (Luke 24:21) and the eleven would be gathered hopelessly in the defeat of unbelief (Mark 16:14). All the while, Satan would be cheering his supposed victory at the cross, a victory prophesied when the plan of our redemption put onto motion in Genesis 3:15. Here, Satan would have the initial victory over Jesus, “thou shalt bruise the heel” of our Savior. Then, Jesus would bring the crushing blow to Satan, He “shall bruise thy head.”
At this point on the cross, Satan did not comprehend “it is finished,” that in three days he would no longer have “the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14). Understanding, this power does not mean Satan controlled death. He is the author of sin, while “the sting of sin is death.” In three days, this sting would be paid in full and Satan’s power would be destroyed by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 55-57).
At this point on the cross, Jesus is humbling Himself in obedience to Satan’s power of death so He could provide all mankind the victory over the sting of sin. Whereas Satan was the author of sin and eternal damnation, now by Christ’s obedience, He would become “the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8-9).
What this point on the cross means today, man’s search for hope is over. No sin is unforgiveable because the author of sin and his power of death have been defeated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, through “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), no soul is beyond eternal redemption.
This is the reality of Jesus’ sixth phrase on the cross, “IT IS FINISHED!” Jesus accomplished salvation, plain and simple, for all who would believe.
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