2025-04-18 Good Friday

Scripture Readings

“I’m finished. I’m done.” We’ve all said those words before. The context might be different but we’ve all spoken the same words. Maybe it was a job that you were fed up with. “I’m done with this! I’m finished!” You were sick of it, had it up to here and then some. Maybe it was fellow students at your high school. “I’m done! I’m finished! I can’t take anymore of these people!” Maybe it was an illness or a medical condition. “I’m so done with this! I’m finished feeling like this!” You’ve had it. You’ve had enough. You are finished.

But on the other hand, maybe there was the job that you were finished with and you were happy about it. The task was completed and you were happily on to the next one. “I’m finished. What’s next?” Or maybe you finished your classes at school and you were happily looking forward to the next steps at university or trade school or just entering the work force. “I’m finished. What’s next?” Or maybe you took your final chemo treatment and got to ring the bell. Those were dark days but look what I have to look forward too! I’m finished! I’m done! What’s next?!

When our Lord Jesus says “It is finished” (JN 19:30) I’m sure it has both contexts for Him. ‘It is finished’ means the suffering and bloodshed of the cross is over. The scorn and shame. The harassment from the crowd and the onlookers. The darkness of the sin of the world is removed from His shoulders. The destruction of death is done. The separation of people from God is over. It is finished. And after those final words of exasperation “He bowed His head and gave up His spirit” (19:30). It is finished.

Then, the tone changes. It is finished! What’s next?! Our suffering Saviour proclaims victory and freedom to the captives. And then the ultimate Easter triumph of the resurrection. The light of the empty tomb eclipses the darkness of the cross. The joy of life risen from the grave overcomes the sadness buried in the tomb. Life everlasting bursts forth for Jesus and for all people who trust and believe the good news. It is finished! The great work of your salvation, the forgiveness of your sins, the defeat of death and the devil! Eternal glory, thanks and praise be to the Lamb of God who died upon the cross. For in Him it is finished forever more. Amen.