THE DEATH AND DECLARATION OF CHRIST

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

First, we consider the humanity of Christ. He died. God cannot die. He is eternal and infinite. Christ’s death was the sufficient substitute for every person who trusts by faith on Jesus Christ because, in Adam, we are dead in trespasses and sins (1 Cor 15:22).

With regard to Christ’s deity, He “gave up the spirit” or “gave up the ghost” (KJV). This speaks of Christ’s almighty power as God. He chose the very moment of His death. Jesus said, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again” (John 10:18). A man may surrender to death by his own hand or by the hand of someone else, however, no mere human can choose the moment of actual expiration by sheer will. As Jesus has life in Himself (John 5:26), death cannot have its way upon Jesus Christ unless the Lord has given death His permission to take Him. The Lord’s statement, “It is finished,” speaks of His deity as well. It is the Greek phrase, &tau ;&eps ilon; τ &epsi lon;& lambd a;&ep silon ;&sig ma;&t au;&a lpha; &iota ; (tetelestai), which literally means, “Paid in full.” We owe a debt we cannot possibly pay because we have sinned infinitely against a holy God. The reason our sin is infinite is by virtue of the One we have offended— an infinite and eternal God. Because God is the One offended by our sins, to receive forgiveness from Him for our sins, He must declare the conditions of our forgiveness. No sinful descendant of Adam can declare God’s pardon has been satisfied. No angel can declare it either. Pardon must come by the verdict of God alone. When Jesus uttered those words, it was a declaration that He is, was, and ever more shall be, eternal God.

If one has not trusted by faith in the declaration of the Son of God at the cross, that “It is finished,” such a soul will be finished when “It is done” (Rev 16:17) at Christ’s return.

Christ hung upon a cross of wood,
While sinful flesh misunderstood:
Man’s pardon came, and only could,
By Christ’s death, who alone is good.

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Today's M'Cheyne Reading Schedule: 3/29 - Ex 40; John 19; Prov 16; Phil 3

If you don’t have one, get a free PDF copy of Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s “Daily Bread” Bible Reading Calendar by Clicking Here.

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Jon Cardwell writes devotional thoughts like the one above & sends them via email daily (except Sunday). Go to www.calvarybaptistninilchik.com/devotionals.html or click the optional weblink below.

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