TEACHING NOTES Introduction The Gospel’s of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all say that Jesus cried out with a loud voice on the cross before He died. But John’s Gospel tells us something that the others do not. John says that Jesus cried out “It is finished!” (John 19:30). This leads us to ask, “What was finished?” While much could be said, today we will focus on what John intended by telling this story. ​ John 19:30 ESV 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Before we dive into John’s Gospel, it would help us to first look at what the Old Testament says about what the Messiah would accomplish. There are many passages we could cover, but Daniel 9:24 gives a clear explanation. ​ Daniel 9:24 ESV 24 “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Seventy weeks = Literally, “seventy sevens” or “seventy weeks of years” which means 490 years. In short, from the time that Jerusalem and the temple would begin to be rebuilt to the coming of the Messiah would be 490 years. Your people and your holy city = This is an obvious reference to Israel and the temple. Whatever was going to happen would involve Jerusalem (Israel). Note: The Old Testament uses three words for evil: Transgression (Heb. pesha - relational offense) Sin (Heb. hattah - failure of moral standard) Iniquity (Heb. avon - premeditated evil) What would be accomplished? Finish the transgression. Put an end to (seal or bind) sin. Atone for iniquity. Bring everlasting righteousness. Seal visions and prophets. Anoint a most holy place (temple). Point: The Messiah’s mission to atone for transgression, sin, and iniquity was not limited to forgiveness. It had a purpose. The goal of atonement was to “anoint a most holy place” which is a new temple. Back to John’s Gospel Very early in John’s Gospel we find Jesus saying that He had come to “accomplish” God the Father’s “work” and “will.” In John 4, Jesus had been talking to the woman at Jacob’s well. His disciples come back and offer food to Jesus. ​ John 4:34 ESV 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. For Jesus, doing the Father’s will is what gives Him strength. Jesus understood that He had something to “accomplish” on earth. In John 12, Jesus knows His “hour” has come to “finish” the work... ​ John 12:27–28 ESV 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” Whatever Jesus was about to do would glorify the Father. ​ John 12:31–32 ESV 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Now is the judgment of this world = The Greek word for “judgment” here is krisis, which refers to legal decision. In other words, Jesus is stating that the time of decision had arrived. Those who choose to reject Jesus are bringing judgment on themselves. Now will the ruler of this world be cast out = The “ruler of this world” is a reference to Satan in the New Testament (John 14:30; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2; 6:12; 1 John 5:19). Until Jesus came, the world was in spiritual slavery to the evil one. The land of Israel was oppressed by evil spirits and deceived in their religion. Jesus came to throw Satan out and give the disciples power over evil. When I am lifted up = This is a reference to the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. These events would accomplish something that would allow people to stop being deceived and be drawn to Christ. Toward the end of John’s Gospel, in His High Priestly prayer, Jesus tells the Father that He had “accomplished” the work that God have Him to do. ​ John 17:4–5 ESV 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. I glorified you on earth…glorify me in your presence = John’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus being glorified. Jesus came to glorify the Father and as a result the Father will glorify the Son. Being glorified refers to be exalted. When Jesus ascended to the Father, He was glorified (exalted) and seated at the right hand of the Father. ​ John 19:28–30 ESV 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Knowing that all was now finished = This implies that Jesus knew that this stage of His mission on earth had been completed. To fulfill the Scripture, “I thirst” = John is referring to Psalm 69:21 “They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” It is finished = Matthew, Mark, and Luke record that Jesus cried out before He died, but only John records what Jesus said. Why? Because John was the only disciple who witnessed the crucifixion. Bowed his head = Some scholars have noted that the language here (Grk. klino ho kephale) speaks to bowing one’s head in approval, not merely loss of strength. Gave up his spirit = Grk. paradidomi ho pneuma - Literally, “gave over his spirit” implying that his spirit was being handed over. While Luke’s Gospel says, “Father, into your hands a commend my spirit!” (Luke 23:46), John seems to be implying that Jesus was also giving His Spirit over to humanity. The Spirit is a major theme in John’s Gospel: The Word (Jesus) became flesh and tabernacled with us (John 1:14). The Spirit descends on Jesus (John 1:32). Jesus will baptize His followers with the Spirit (John 1:33). Jesus said to Nicodemus that he must be born of the Spirit (John 3:5). Jesus said that God gives the Spirit without limits (John 3:34). Jesus said true worshipers will worship in Spirit (John 4:23-24). Jesus said it is the Spirit who gives life (John 6:63). Jesus’ Spirit empathizes with human suffering (John 11:33). Jesus promises to send the Spirit as the Helper (John 14-15). Jesus said the Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16:13). Jesus gave over His Spirit from the cross (John 19:30). Jesus breathes the Spirit on His disciples (John 20:22). What is finished? Atonement for transgression, sin, and iniquity was provided. Everlasting righteousness was provided. The power of sin, death, and Satan has been defeated. God’s people have become the new temple for God’s Spirit. Why was the cross required? The Backstory: Gen. 2 describes the Garden of Eden as God’s temple on earth. Adam & Eve are created to be the priests of the world. Ever since Gen. 3, sin and death kept us away from the presence of the Author of Life. God created Israel to be a unique people who had God dwelling with them. God commands Israel to build Him a house. But after completing the tabernacle, they cannot go in with God. The tabernacle must first be purified and sanctified. This was accomplished by sacrifices where the blood would be applied to the entrance, altar, and mercy seat. Once God’s house was purified, He filled it with His presence. But over time, Israel defiled God’s house and God left. The temple was destroyed by Babylon and rebuilt 70 years later. But God’s presence never came back to the temple. The Cross: Jesus comes claiming to be the new temple that Israel would “tear down” by killing His body (John 2:18-22). Jesus offers Himself as the ultimate sacrifice that would purify God’s new temple; human beings. The cross purified us to be the new temple of God’s presence on earth. What does this mean? The entire purpose of God’s plan is to be with humanity. Jesus came to accomplish/finish what needed to be done so that God could inhabit His people. God wants to be with you by living in you. Conclusion As we end out time together with worship, prayer, and communion, let’s renew our commitment to Christ and ask God to fill us with His Spirit.