Christ’s finished work

“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last” (Luke 23:46).

Jesus’ words on the Cross began with “Father forgive” and now they end with absolute trust and rest in the Father. Pink suggests that Jesus’ final words could be described as expressing “contentment”. I think they also show reconciliation, trust, and peace. The work of the Son of Man is complete, it is finished! He has taken the “cup” of wrath from the Father’s hands, emptied it through his suffering, and now the Son is restored to the loving hands of the Father. Here are Pink’s key points from the final chapter:

The hands of men and the hands of the Father:
What a contrast! Christ has been in the hands of men for the last 12 hours or more, tortured, reviled, betrayed. (Matt 17:22-23). Christ could have avoided this. Voluntarily he delivered himself into the hands of sinners; now he delivers his Spirit into the hands of the Father. He is back in perfect communion with the Father, having dealt with the sin that separates. He will be honoured as the Perfect Son and Saviour King!
The absolute uniqueness of our Saviour:
Jesus’ life was not taken from Him, he gave it up. (John 10:17-18). In laying down His life, His death was differentiated from all others. “Who but a divine person could have done this? In a mere man it would have been suicide; but in Him it was proof of His perfection and uniqueness . . . the Prince of Life“ (p.136).
The Heart’s true haven:
Jesus’ example in his final words points us to what matters – our souls, the eternal spirit within us.
“[Christ’s] words then may be taken to express the believer’s care for his soul, that it may be safe, whatever becomes of the body. . . My friend . . . you are unable to take care of yourself in life, much less will you be able to do so in death. Life has many trials and temptations. Your soul is menaced at every side . . . Here then is your beacon of hope amid the darkness. Here is the harbor of shelter from all storms. . . Thank God there is a refuge from the gales of life and from the terrors of death – the Father’s hands – the heart’s true haven” (p.139).

Going a step further, I’m reminded that the Father has given all things into Jesus’ hands. “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand” (John 3:35). This includes you and me! “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

In fact, let’s take a moment to zoom out on John 10:27-30. I love the way the NLT phrases it:
²⁷My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, ²⁹for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. ³⁰The Father and I are one.”

Jesus knows ultimate assurance and contentment as he breathes his last, committing Himself into His Father’s hands. We too can also rest in Christ’s completed work, in life and death! (Please listen to the wonderful song below!) Thanks for joining me in this series.
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CHRIST OUR HOPE IN LIFE AND DEATH

What is our hope in life and death? Christ alone, Christ alone.
What is our only confidence? That our souls to him belong.
Who holds our days within his hand? What comes, apart from his command?
And what will keep us to the end? The love of Christ, in which we stand.

O sing hallelujah! Our hope springs eternal;
O sing hallelujah! Now and ever we confess Christ our hope in life and death.

What truth can calm the troubled soul? God is good, God is good.
Where is his grace and goodness known? In our great Redeemer’s blood.
Who holds our faith when fears arise? Who stands above the stormy trial?
Who sends the waves that bring us nigh Unto the shore, the rock of Christ?

Unto the grave, what shall we sing? “Christ, he lives; Christ, he lives!”
And what reward will heaven bring? Everlasting life with him.
There we will rise to meet the Lord, Then sin and death will be destroyed,
And we will feast in endless joy, When Christ is ours forevermore.

Words and Music by Keith Getty, Matt Boswell, Jordan Kauflin, Matt Merker, Matt Papa ©2020 Getty Music Publishing (BMI) / Messenger Hymns (BMI) / Jordan Kauflin Music (BMI) / Matthew Merker Music (BMI) / Getty Music Hymns and Songs (ASCAP) / Love Your Enemies Publishing (ASCAP) / adm at MusicServices.org

This series draws on the structure and ideas in “The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross” by Arthur W. Pink, 1984, Baker Book House. Direct quotations are indicated. AI was NOT used in the creation of this Blog post.

Main image credit: dmdiocese on Instagram

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

Though I didn’t complete this series before Easter Sunday, it seems fitting that the remaining two ‘sayings’ of Christ on the Cross are victorious words of completion and restoration. It is within the power of these final two sayings that we live and breathe, where life eternal begins. We are His because His work is finished. We can have complete confidence that Jesus is now restored to the Father, the living, Risen King who conquered death and sin.

Pink explains the power of these words:
“‘It is finished.’ This was not the despairing cry of a helpless martyr; it was not an expression of satisfaction that the termination of his sufferings was now reached; it was not the last gasp of a worn out life. No, rather it was the declaration on the part of the divine Redeemer that all for which He came from heaven to earth to do was now done; that all that was needed to reveal the full character of God had now been accomplished; that all that was required by the law before sinners could be saved had now been performed: that the full price of our redemption had been paid” (Pink, p.110).

As we have looked at in the previous five posts, Jesus’ death was no accident. It was a purposeful and loving rescue plan which culminated in the Cross – the design of a loving Father. In this moment close to death, Jesus sees that he has “finished” or made complete all these:

Hundred of prophecies about his saving work, by his death.
His sufferings.
The goal of His incarnation (coming to earth inhabiting a human body and dying as a man).
The atonement (the reconciliation of God and man, sins taken away, sin debt paid).
The removal of our sins, which stands between God and us (Christ took them into the desolate land where God was not).
The Law’s requirements.
The destruction of Satan’s power.

Pink then asks us the most important question: “reader, do you believe it? Or are you trying to add to the finished work of Christ to secure the favour of God?” (p.125). Let’s take some time to reflect on this before we leave Easter celebrations. May we know that our own efforts are as filthy rags. It is Christ’s righteousness that matters.

“All that a holy God requires has been done. Nothing is left for the sinner to add. . . His finished work is the ground of all our hopes” (p. 121)

May the Lord show us where we are trying to bring our own “righteousness” to Him (and others), instead of depending on Christ’s finished work. This song from the Passion (2019) well sums up all that Christ has “finished” for us. What amazing grace!

See you soon for the final post. (Please like or subscribe below.)