What Jesus Meant when he said – It is Finished!

When Jesus said on the cross - “It is finished,” that meant that he had completed everything that the Savior of mankind was meant to do prior to death. It meant that there wasn’t anything left to do. It meant that everything, absolutely everything, and totally everything that the Savior was meant to do prior to death was finished by Jesus. The common thread amongst almost all Anti-Christian groups is that they believe that there is more that needed to be done and that Jesus had not quite completed all the work. Mormons believe that Jesus had more to reveal to save humanity; Moonies believe that Jesus’ work was unfinished and that Jesus had anointed Sun Myung Moon to become the parent of all humanity; Simonites believed that Simon Magus was the continuation of the spirit of Jesus Christ to complete his work; Muslims believe that Jesus did not complete all that was needed to be done but another prophet was needed to finish the work for saving humanity; the Bahai’s believe that Jesus was a messenger and that more messengers were needed to complete the message for saving humanity.

The plan of God (see Acts 2:23-24) according to the messianic prophecies in the Old Testament specify that the Son of God would become incarnate and be born in Bethlehem to a virgin from the line of David. He would perform various miracles including healing the lame, paralytics, lepers, the blind and even return those who were already dead and in the grave to life. He would travel with twelve men that would accompany him in his travels and would eventually witness about him by bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit to entire nations. He would be arrested by the ruling authorities due to their envy   of the miracles that he was able to do through the power of God. He would be tried and found to not be guilty of any crime but would be executed at Passover by being crucified on a wooden pole between two other men. He would die by giving up his spirit of his own accord and his body would receive various piercing wounds to his hands, feet, and rib cage but not one of his bones would be broken. He would be buried in a rock hewn tomb and rise up on the third day and travel alive with his followers for a forty day period. At the end of the forty days, he would be met by angels and depart from his followers on a mountain where olive trees grew.

It is extremely curious that Anti-Christian groups claim that Jesus didn’t quite finish all that the Savior of mankind was meant to do prior to death even though on the cross Jesus said – “it is finished.” To be blunt, the Anti-Christian groups do not know the plan of God in the Old Testament messianic prophecies. So they don’t know that God’s plan for saving humanity was predetermined by God and given to the Old Testament prophets long before the savior was to be born.

The Anti-Christians don’t know where the savior was supposed to be born.

The Anti-Christians don’t know the specific information about the birth of the savior.

The Anti-Christians don’t know what the savior was supposed to do.

The Anti-Christians don’t know how the savior was supposed to die.

The Anti-Christians don’t know that the savior was supposed to rise from the dead on the third day.

The Anti-Christians don’t know that he was supposed to be with his followers for forty days after he rose from the dead.

The Anti-Christians don’t know that he was supposed to depart from his followers and return to heaven after forty days.

The Anti-Christians don’t know that Jesus finished everything that the savior was supposed to do because they can’t see the plan of God written in the Old Testament: 2Corinthians 3:14 “But their minds were hardened; for to this very day, when they read the old covenant, the same veil remains unlifted, because only in Christ is it removed. 15 Even to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

God gave the plan to the Old Testament prophets so that the real savior could be identified and imposters could be recognized. God knew that imposters with counterfeit faiths would arise and attempt to deceive humanity. All counterfeiters have the same thing in common – they don’t have the original plans. They attempt to counterfeit by copying portions of the real item. The genuine article matches the original plan exactly while a counterfeit does not.

For those who believe that Jesus is truly God’s Son and was crucified for their sins - the veil over the old covenant is removed just as the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom when he died. With the veil removed from the Old Testament we can see the predetermined plan of God for the Savior and we know that Jesus finished that plan perfectly.

Matthew 27:51 And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook. And the rocks were split… 54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that were done, they were terrified, and said, “Truly this was God’s Son!”

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

The Death of Jesus and the Formation of the Church Foreshadowed

Genesis 2:21 “And Jehovah God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof: 22 and the rib, which Jehovah God had taken from the man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And the man said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

Genesis 2:21 foreshadows Jesus’ death and the hole in his side from the spear wound. According to the gospels Jesus died supernaturally through the power of God which is symbolized by God causing the deep sleep upon Adam. The hole in Adam’s side foreshadows the hole in Jesus’ side from the spear - John 19:33 “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 He who saw it has testified, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth, that you also may believe.”

Verses 22-23 foreshadow that ultimately all Christians who are part of the body of Christ believe that Jesus was dead based on the fatal spear wound in his side and that he was resurrected. Thus the faith of all Christians to some extent can be said to come from the gap in Jesus’ side just as Eve came from the rib in the side of Adam. John 20:27 “Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands. Reach out your hand, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.””

Adam’s missing rib also symbolizes Jesus’ missing apostle, Judas. Humans have twelve rib pairs. Jesus had twelve apostles. Human ribs are moved by the air that a person breathes. The apostles were moved by the Spirit when Jesus breathed on them – John 20:22 “So [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” The word “breathed” in this verse is the Greek word “Emphusao” and it was used only once by the Greek translators of the Septuagint in Genesis 2:7 “And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” So Adam losing one of his ribs and gaining his bride symbolically parallels Jesus losing one of his apostles and gaining his bride, the church.

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

The Last Supper Foreshadowed - Joseph’s House / Joseph of Arimathea’s House

Matthew 26:17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, my time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’“ 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

Genesis 43:16 … he said to the steward of his house, Bring the men into the house, and slay, and make ready; for the men shall dine with me at noon.  17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men to Joseph's house.

Matthew 26:26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and, giving it to the disciples, said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

Genesis 43:31 And he washed his face, and came out; and he refrained himself, and said, Set on bread.

Matthew 26:35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”

Genesis 43:18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph's house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in…

Matthew 26:36 But he said to them, “But now, let him who has a purse take it, and likewise a bag; and let him who has no sword sell his robe and buy one.

Genesis 44:1 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.

John 13:4 rose from supper, laid aside his garments, took a towel and girded himself. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.

Genesis 43:24 And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet.

John 13:23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was leaning close to the breast of Jesus. 24 Simon Peter motioned to him to ask who it was of whom he spoke. 25 So, leaning back thus on the breast of Jesus, he said to him, “Lord, who is it?

Genesis 43:33 And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marvelled one with another.

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane Foreshadowed

For both Jesus and Jacob the person who plotted against them knew where to find them.

Genesis 32:6 “And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, we came to thy brother Esau, and moreover he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.”

John 18:2 “Now Judas (who betrayed him) also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with his disciples.”

Jesus and Jacob became distressed and divided their groups into two groups as the band of soldiers was on its way led by the person who plotted against them.

Genesis 32:7 “Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed: and he divided the people that were with him.”

Mark 14:32 “They went to a place which was called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.” 33 And he took Peter, James, and John with him. And he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.”

An angel appeared to Jesus and Jacob and they were in agony while the band of soldiers approached led by the person who plotted to kill them.

Genesis 32:24-30 [Jacob must’ve have been in agony since his hip was put out of joint by the angel.]

Luke 22:43 “An angel appeared to him from heaven, and strengthened him. 44 And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

Jesus Betrayed by Judas Iscariot - Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:03-12

Jesus and Jacob were met by crowds led by the person who plotted against them.

Genesis 33:1 “And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men.

Matthew 26:47 “While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people.”

Jesus and Jacob are greeted with a kiss by the person who plotted to kill them.

Genesis 33:4A “And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”

Matthew 26:48 “Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I kiss is the man. Seize him.” 49 And at once he went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.”

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

Jesus’ Death at Passover Foreshadowed by the Passover Lamb

Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish…

Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Exodus 12:6 and you shall keep it [The Passover Lamb] until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at even.

John 18:28 Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was morning. But they did not enter the Praetorium themselves, so that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

Exodus 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and put it on the two side-posts and on the lintel, upon the houses wherein they shall eat it.

Matthew 27:25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” [Note that the cross would’ve been covered in Jesus’ blood from the scourging and the wounds from the nails.]

Exodus 12:22 And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin…

John 19:29 A vessel full of wine vinegar was sitting there. So they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and brought it to his mouth. [Wine symbolizes blood in the New Testament and the wine vinegar would’ve symbolized sour blood]

Exodus 12:46 …Neither shall you break a bone thereof [The Passover Lamb].

John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 He who saw it has testified, and his testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth, that you also may believe. 36 For these things were done that the scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of his bones shall be broken.”

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

The Burial Foreshadowed

John 19:38 But after this Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.

A man named Joseph asked for permission to bury both Jesus and Jacob (Genesis 50:5 …Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again. 6 And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father…).

John 19:39 And Nicodemus, who had at first come to him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 So they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

A man named Joseph was involved with preparing both Jesus and Jacob’s bodies for burial (Genesis 50:2 And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel).

John 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

A man named Joseph buried both Jesus and Jacob in a tomb (Genesis 50:5 My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me).

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

Foreshadowing the Crucifixion - Jesus cried out with a loud voice Mark 15:34

Jesus is quoting Psalms 22:1 when he cried out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

If we look at the entire Psalm we will see that there is a lot more to hear.

Psalms 22:7 All who see me mock at me, they make mouths at me, they wag their heads. This verse matches Mark 15:29 And those who passed by hurled insults at him, wagging their heads.

Psalms 22:8 "He committed his cause to the LORD; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, for he delights in him! This verse matches Matthew 27:43 He trusts in God? Let him deliver now, if he desires him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God!’“

Psalms 22:16 “Yea, dogs are round about me; a company of evildoers encircle me; they have pierced my hands and feet.” This verse matches the crucifixion (Mark 15:22-33).

Psalms 22:18 “They divide my garments among them, and for my raiment they cast lots.” This verse matches Mark 15:24 “And they crucified him, and ‘divided his garments, casting lots for them’ to determine what each man should take.”

Psalms 22:22 “I will tell of thy name to my brethren; in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee” This verse matches John 20:19 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were (for fear of the Jews), Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And saying this, he showed the hands and the side to them. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 So [Jesus] said to them again, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.”

Psalms 22:23 “You who fear the LORD, praise him! all you sons of Jacob, glorify him, and stand in awe of him, all you sons of Israel! 24 For he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; and he has not hid his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to him.” This verse corresponds to the Resurrection ~ Acts 13:30 But God raised him from the dead.

Psalms 22:26 “The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live for ever! 27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him. 28 For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. 29 Yea, to him shall all the proud of the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and he who cannot keep himself alive. 30 Posterity shall serve him; men shall tell of the Lord to the coming generation, 31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, that he has wrought it.”

Psalms 22:26-31 corresponds to the time period from the Resurrection to forever. Always remember that on the cross when Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” he wasn’t just referring to the Crucifixion but he was also referring to the Resurrection, deliverance and forever!

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament

April 7 - On This Date in History:

Mary Anoints Jesus for His Burial, Public Excitement with Regard to Jesus and Lazarus [Section 81.10 - JN 12:1, MT 26:6B, JN 12:2, MK 14:3B, JN 12:3, MK 14:3C, MT 26:8, JN 12:4-6, MK 14:5B-8, MT 26:12-13, JN 12:9-11] Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. In the house of Simon the leper, they made him a supper; and Martha served, while Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. As he sat at table, Mary took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.

But when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, said, "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief; and as he had the moneybox, he used to take what was put into it. And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you will, you can do good to them; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burial. For in pouring this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her."

Now a great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, and they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
Excerpt from - "Jesus! The Novel"

Pilate Washing his Hands Foreshadowed

Matthew 27:24 “…he [Pilate] took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood. See to it yourselves.”

Leviticus 16:26 – “And he that let go the goat for the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water…”

J. Clontz – Editor of the Comprehensive New Testament