The Word of Victory
(John 19:30)

Introduction: Two of these final four sayings of the cross reveal the harshest suffering ever endured by a man (My God, My God and I thirst), but this final saying of the cross takes a different tone altogether. Its even more satisfying than the word of contentment. Much is made of the physical suffering on the Lord Jesus Christ, and understandably so considering the horrible method of execution, but it is really inaccurate to suggest the Son of God was overcome by suffocation, because, by his own testimony, we know that his life was in his own hands, and at exactly the appropriate timing he gave up the ghost and laid his life down of himself, only to take it up again three days later.

• When Jesus Christ does finally die, it says that he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. That means prior to that his head was held high.
• Before he did give up the ghost the scripture tells us that he cried with a loud voice, not like someone suffocating.

The Lord Jesus Christ had full sway of all his faculties right up to the end, and the last thing he tells us before laying his life down is potentially the greatest news to ever reach this sinners ears! It is finished.

1. Declares the fulfillment of the Scripture.

Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. Luke 18:31

Another proof of Christ’s strength and consciousness on the cross is the fact that he’s reviewing the scriptures the entire time he’s dying to make certain that they are being fulfilled. When Christ cries out it is finished all the OT prophesies regarding the suffering of the Messiah, and even his miraculous birth and ministry have found their fulfillment.

• His birth (Bethlehem, to a Virgin, an attempt on his life, escape to Egypt)
• His ministry (A forerunner, sight to the blind, still the tempest, triumphal entry, no place to lay his head)
• His rejection (despised, rejected, hated without a cause)
• His betrayal (a familiar friend, 30 pieces of silver, forsaken by his disciples, wounded in the house of his enemies)
• His death (led to the slaughter, in silence, pierced in hands and feet, numbered with transgressors, garments parted)

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17

Requisite to be of the age of thirty prior to entering priesthood (Num 4, Luke 3:23), and according to tradition there was a 3 ½ year probationary period before a priest might enter into the High Priesthood. Every orthodox Jew in the world has the same appointed reading from the Torah each Sabbath Day and it takes 3 ½ years to complete the reading of the Law. Christ fulfilled it!

2. Announces the end of the Law.

From Adam (he did have a law) to the Lord Jesus Christ man-kind had been under a weight that no man could bear. For the Jew, the Oracles of God recorded in 613 commandments. For the Gentile a law written in their hearts, with their conscience bearing witness. The trouble:

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. (Gal 3:10-12)

When Jesus Christ cried out it is finished, the law was complete.

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. (Hebrews 9:14-17)

Is there any doubt? What happened up in the temple as these words are leaving the Saviour’s mouth? The temple veil is rent in two! (Matt 27:51)

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13)

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)

3. Signifies the end of his suffering.

I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: (Psalms 88:15)

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isa 53:3)

With this saying Christ declares end of the ignominy and shame, the suffering and agony. Never again shall He experience pain. Never again shall He endure the contradiction of sinners against himself. Never again shall He be in the hands of Satan. Never again shall he be separated from the Father. Praise be to God, all that is finished!

4. Reports the completion of the atonement.

This is why he had come into the world:

• To seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10)
• To save sinners (1 Tim 1:15)
• To take away our sins (1 John 3:5)
• To redeem we that were under the law (Gal 4:5)

The Provision of the incarnation, the perfect plan of redemption, every Satanic effort to put a stop to its fulfillment, and yet…

When Christ lifts up his voice and cries out it is finished:

• Foundation of the church is laid
• The Price of Redemption is paid
• The Basis for deliverance is made
• The wrath of God is stayed
• And a sinner like me can be saved!

5. Sounds out the destruction of the soul-damning power of Satan.

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:15-16)

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14)

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. (Matthew 12:28-29)

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:14-15)

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Colossians 1:13