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305. The Sixth Word

Hebrews 10:5-14, John 19:30
Key Verse: "It is finished."
John 19:30

It is easy to think that this word refers to the oxos that Jesus has just drunk from the sponge. In truth, this statement has much more depth to it than simply acknowledging a quenched thirst. We would understand it best if Jesus had said, "Paid in full," for in fact, this is what He meant.

Jesus had fulfilled every prophesy spoken of Him up to this point. He would continue fulfilling more prophesies through His death, burial and resurrection, but at this point, Jesus had kept His word to us and Satan, and has completed all that was required of Him, through His atoning sacrifice, to prepare the way for us to be forgiven by God of our sin.

He had been the perfect lamb. He had borne our sin and shame. As the lamb sheds its blood, He had shed His blood for us. "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." (Hebrews 9:22) This wasn't a requirement from God because He enjoyed bloodshed. Rather, this is how precious blood is. The shedding of the blood of sheep reminds us of our sin, and how serious it is, but only through the shedding of Christ's blood are we truly forgiven.

"Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest, (Jesus), had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God." (Hebrews 10:11-12) Why? Because it was finished. "Paid in full." The suffering had been enough. The blood shed had been enough. The debt had been fulfilled and through it, cancelled. We no longer have the guilt of our sins hanging over our heads because they have been completely atoned for, on this day, while Jesus hung on the cross.

"The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God." (Heb. 9:13-14) His blood is more precious than a lamb's could ever be. It is more precious than any fragrance used to anoint His feet, and it was shed for you and me.

Hymn: "Nothingbut the Blood" 

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