It Is Finished

Pilate tried several times to release Jesus. He had Him flogged, hoping that would satisfy the crowd. The soldiers mocked Jesus as a king with a crown of thorns and a purple robe. Pilate brought Him out and said, Behold, the man! The leaders cried, Crucify! They said Jesus claimed to be God's Son. When they said Pilate would be no friend of Caesar, Pilate gave in.

Jesus went out carrying His cross to the Place of a Skull, called Golgotha. Pilate's sign, in three languages, called Jesus the King of the Jews. John records that the soldiers gambled for His clothing and that Jesus' thirst fulfilled Scripture. Even in pain, Jesus loved His mother and gave her into the care of the disciple whom He loved.

Then Jesus said, It is finished. It means completed. (Some say it was also used for debts paid.) Jesus completed the work the Father gave Him. He paid for sin. He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. None of His bones were broken, like the Passover lamb. Two secret disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, now honored Him openly. They buried Him in a new tomb in a garden. But three days later, the tomb was empty. Jesus is alive! (John 20)