A FINISHED WORK

"I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do" -John 17:4 [KJV]

These words were spoken by our Savior at the beginning of His High Priestly prayer. He speaks in anticipation of accomplishing the task assigned to Him in the covenant of grace, which He delightfully agreed to do. The work for which He was chosen was to join Himself to human flesh and be "made under the law to redeem them that were under the law." As the God-Man, He would have to give His life a ransom for those entrusted to Him by the Father in electing grace. His work was to satisfy divine justice by enduring the penalty of the law in the stead of His people who would break the law and become deserving of death.

His work was to establish righteousness, purge away the guilt of sin, save, redeem and satisfy divine justice for all those chosen by the Father in distinguishing mercy before the world began. The fact that the Savior arose, ascended and was exalted to the highest heaven shows that He did indeed finish the work the Father gave Him to do. The Holy Spirit said "this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12). Among the seven pieces of furniture in the Old Testament tabernacle, something was noticeably missing - a chair. There was no place for the priests to sit because the sacrifices they offered could never put away sin, consequently, their job was never completed. But the God-Man, by finishing reconciliation, putting away sin and bringing in everlasting righteousness by His death, arose, went back to glory and took His rightful place upon the throne of universal sovereignty. He would never have sat down had His work not been finished. "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool" (Psalm 110:1).

The Father was well pleased with His Son’s work of redemption and accepted His sacrifice as full payment for the iniquities of His people. Upon the basis of purging our sins by His substitutionary death, Christ ascended and "sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3). His triumphant cry from the cross was, "It is finished" (John 19:30). To all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, hear these glad tidings: your redemption is accomplished, the Savior’s perfect righteousness has been imputed to you and the pardon of your sins is full, irrevocable and everlasting. 

-Gospel report by preacher Jim Byrd