
Scripture Reference: John 19:28-30
3. Jesus Addressed Those He Had Come to Redeem – Continued
Now, I would like to address some of the saints of the Old Testament with words of comfort that Jesus Christ might have given them in His last words, “It is finished.” Remember that they looked expectantly to the Father for the coming and fulfilment of the Messiah. Even though they might have been looking for something a little bit different than the initial mission of Jesus, their hopes were still faithfully placed in Him.
Enoch: He walked with God, while others about him did not, and God called Enoch to Himself. “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). Enoch will now walk with Christ Jesus forever, for Jesus and the Father are one. “It is finished.”
Noah: He witnessed alone with his family the coming judgment upon all those who had broken the covenant of God. Noah built the ark to the salvation of his household (see Genesis 6:9-22). Thus, possibly unbeknownst to him, it was Christ Jesus who was witnessing through him; and Noah was witnessing through the Lord. Men ridiculed him and laughed at him scornfully. In mocking him they mocked the Anointed One; but those who mock Christ even now will soon call upon the mountains and hills to cover them from the Lamb who is coming in the wrath of the Lion of the tribe of Judah. “It is finished!”
Abraham: He is called and known even today as “the father of the faithful.” With him God made the covenant of grace. To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. The great “I Am,” Christ Jesus is that seed. With Paul even the saints of old may now say:
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’ “ (Galatians 3:13).
Abrahan looked forward for a city that had foundations. Jesus Christ established those foundations from the cross and they still stand today.
Christ Jesus has finished being and bearing that curse on the tree. The wrath of the covenant has been removed; the promise of the covenant is fulfilled. “It is finished.” It is finished for Abraham and for all those who have like faith like his.
Moses: He was called and known as the mediator of the old covenant (see Exodus 3:1-12). He was faithful in all his house. Moses led God’s covenant people toward but not into the promised land, and “the promised land” he so greatly and longingly desired to enter was, after all only, still of this sin-cursed earth. But Christ Jesus has borne even the punishment for his unfaithfulness; now, because of that truth, Moses will enter the promised land, the new heaven and the new earth on which righteousness will dwell. “It is finished.”
Job: Satan tempted him sorely and mercilessly. He tempted Jesus much more sorely than he tempted Job, however. Job overcame his temptation because Christ Jesus overcame his temptation, and went to the cross to become a curse for all mankind, past present and future. Now, it is finished. Job’s last end will truly be better than the first. Now he himself understands his own Spirit inspired words, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25). “It is finished.”
David: He was called a man after God’s own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22); his heart was true and sincere with his covenant God. On the cross Jesus has cleansed and washed away the sins David so greatly bewailed, making him whiter than snow through the blood of Christ Jesus. Christ became a curse for David, but now the curse is lifted. “It is finished!”
To Be Continued




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