Sunday Rewind - Easter 2025
The Greatest Three Words Ever Spoken
In the tapestry of human history, certain phrases stand out for their profound impact. "I love you," "It's a boy," "Never give up" - these three-word sentences carry weight far beyond their brevity. But there's one trio of words that surpasses them all, uttered on a wooden cross outside Jerusalem two millennia ago: "It is finished" (John 19:30).
These words, spoken by Jesus Christ in His final moments, encapsulate the culmination of God's redemptive plan for humanity. But what exactly was finished? To understand the depth of this declaration, we must first grasp the gravity of our situation.
From the beginning, God established a stark reality: "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). This isn't a vengeful decree, but a reflection of God's absolute holiness. Sin - in all its forms - brings ruin. It destroys us physically, mentally, and spiritually. It fractures families, breeds sorrow, and separates us from our Creator. God's hatred of sin stems from His love for us and His desire to protect us from its devastating consequences.
Yet we find ourselves in a seemingly impossible situation. We are all sinners, falling short of God's glory (Rom 3:23). How then can we reconcile God's perfect holiness with His boundless love? The answer lies in those three powerful words: "It is finished."
Jesus didn't come to punish us for our sins, but to be punished in our place. On that cross, the Son of God absorbed the full weight of human transgression. He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21). When Jesus declared, "It is finished," He was proclaiming the completion of His mission - the full payment for our debt of sin.
This wasn't a cry of despair or defeat. It was a triumphant declaration that the price had been paid, the work accomplished. Every sin - past, present, and future - was accounted for in that moment. The ledger was balanced. The debt was settled.
But how can we be certain? How do we know this sacrifice was truly sufficient?
The answer lies in another powerful three-word phrase: "He is risen!" (Matt 28:6). The resurrection of Jesus Christ serves as the divine stamp of approval on His sacrificial work. It validates His claims and demonstrates that death itself has been conquered. No other religious leader or philosopher has overcome the grave. This miraculous act sets Jesus apart and confirms the proof of His atoning death.
The concept of substitutionary atonement wasn't new. It was foreshadowed millennia earlier when God provided a ram to take Isaac's place on Mount Moriah. Abraham prophetically declared, "God will provide for Himself the lamb" (Gen 22). This pointed to the ultimate provision - God Himself becoming the sacrifice for sin.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see glimpses of this truth. The Passover lamb, the sacrificial system, the prophecies of Isaiah - all paint a picture of the coming Messiah who would bear our iniquities. Jesus is the fulfillment of these shadows, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Psalm 22 provides a hauntingly accurate depiction of crucifixion, written centuries before the practice was even invented. In this Messianic prophecy, we see Christ referring to Himself as a "worm." This isn't mere self-deprecation, but a profound illustration. The Hebrew word used is "tolaf," referring to a specific worm used to create scarlet dye. These creatures would climb a tree, attach themselves, and die in the process of reproduction - leaving a red stain that would eventually turn white and flake away.
This vivid imagery perfectly captures the work of Christ. He became like us, died to bring new life, and His blood cleanses us from sin. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). From the King of the Universe to the worm of the earth, Jesus humbled Himself to lift us up.
So what is our response to this incredible gift? For those who have already placed their faith in Christ, it can be summed up in another powerful three words: "I love You." Our lives become a living expression of gratitude, surrendered to the One who gave everything for us.
For those who haven't yet embraced this truth, today could be the day of salvation. Three simple words can change everything: "Jesus, save me." Acknowledge your need for a Savior, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (Rom 10:9). In doing so, you step into the freedom and forgiveness purchased at such a great price.
As we reflect on the power of "It is finished" and "He is risen," we're invited to look forward as well. Communion isn't just a remembrance of past events, but a proclamation of Christ's return. One day, we'll hear another set of three transformative words: "Come up here!" (Rev 4:1). This glorious invitation reminds us that our story doesn't end at the cross or the empty tomb. We have an eternal hope, secured by the finished work of Christ.
The greatest three words ever spoken continue to echo through history, offering hope, healing, and new life to all who will receive them. "It is finished" - not a cry of defeat, but a declaration of victory. Not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter for humanity. May we never lose sight of the profound truth contained in those simple words, allowing them to shape our lives, fuel our worship, and propel us to share this good news with a world in desperate need of redemption.
In the tapestry of human history, certain phrases stand out for their profound impact. "I love you," "It's a boy," "Never give up" - these three-word sentences carry weight far beyond their brevity. But there's one trio of words that surpasses them all, uttered on a wooden cross outside Jerusalem two millennia ago: "It is finished" (John 19:30).
These words, spoken by Jesus Christ in His final moments, encapsulate the culmination of God's redemptive plan for humanity. But what exactly was finished? To understand the depth of this declaration, we must first grasp the gravity of our situation.
From the beginning, God established a stark reality: "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). This isn't a vengeful decree, but a reflection of God's absolute holiness. Sin - in all its forms - brings ruin. It destroys us physically, mentally, and spiritually. It fractures families, breeds sorrow, and separates us from our Creator. God's hatred of sin stems from His love for us and His desire to protect us from its devastating consequences.
Yet we find ourselves in a seemingly impossible situation. We are all sinners, falling short of God's glory (Rom 3:23). How then can we reconcile God's perfect holiness with His boundless love? The answer lies in those three powerful words: "It is finished."
Jesus didn't come to punish us for our sins, but to be punished in our place. On that cross, the Son of God absorbed the full weight of human transgression. He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21). When Jesus declared, "It is finished," He was proclaiming the completion of His mission - the full payment for our debt of sin.
This wasn't a cry of despair or defeat. It was a triumphant declaration that the price had been paid, the work accomplished. Every sin - past, present, and future - was accounted for in that moment. The ledger was balanced. The debt was settled.
But how can we be certain? How do we know this sacrifice was truly sufficient?
The answer lies in another powerful three-word phrase: "He is risen!" (Matt 28:6). The resurrection of Jesus Christ serves as the divine stamp of approval on His sacrificial work. It validates His claims and demonstrates that death itself has been conquered. No other religious leader or philosopher has overcome the grave. This miraculous act sets Jesus apart and confirms the proof of His atoning death.
The concept of substitutionary atonement wasn't new. It was foreshadowed millennia earlier when God provided a ram to take Isaac's place on Mount Moriah. Abraham prophetically declared, "God will provide for Himself the lamb" (Gen 22). This pointed to the ultimate provision - God Himself becoming the sacrifice for sin.
Throughout the Old Testament, we see glimpses of this truth. The Passover lamb, the sacrificial system, the prophecies of Isaiah - all paint a picture of the coming Messiah who would bear our iniquities. Jesus is the fulfillment of these shadows, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Psalm 22 provides a hauntingly accurate depiction of crucifixion, written centuries before the practice was even invented. In this Messianic prophecy, we see Christ referring to Himself as a "worm." This isn't mere self-deprecation, but a profound illustration. The Hebrew word used is "tolaf," referring to a specific worm used to create scarlet dye. These creatures would climb a tree, attach themselves, and die in the process of reproduction - leaving a red stain that would eventually turn white and flake away.
This vivid imagery perfectly captures the work of Christ. He became like us, died to bring new life, and His blood cleanses us from sin. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). From the King of the Universe to the worm of the earth, Jesus humbled Himself to lift us up.
So what is our response to this incredible gift? For those who have already placed their faith in Christ, it can be summed up in another powerful three words: "I love You." Our lives become a living expression of gratitude, surrendered to the One who gave everything for us.
For those who haven't yet embraced this truth, today could be the day of salvation. Three simple words can change everything: "Jesus, save me." Acknowledge your need for a Savior, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord (Rom 10:9). In doing so, you step into the freedom and forgiveness purchased at such a great price.
As we reflect on the power of "It is finished" and "He is risen," we're invited to look forward as well. Communion isn't just a remembrance of past events, but a proclamation of Christ's return. One day, we'll hear another set of three transformative words: "Come up here!" (Rev 4:1). This glorious invitation reminds us that our story doesn't end at the cross or the empty tomb. We have an eternal hope, secured by the finished work of Christ.
The greatest three words ever spoken continue to echo through history, offering hope, healing, and new life to all who will receive them. "It is finished" - not a cry of defeat, but a declaration of victory. Not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter for humanity. May we never lose sight of the profound truth contained in those simple words, allowing them to shape our lives, fuel our worship, and propel us to share this good news with a world in desperate need of redemption.
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