April 18

TRIUMPHANT EXCLAMATION.

It is finished! — John 19:30.

NEVER was a more important sentence uttered. So important to man—so important to Jehovah—so important to Christ. Man's immortal interests had been undertaken by Jesus. He had freely come to do the will of God, as it was written in the book—he had engaged to bear the curse which sin had brought upon the human race—he had offered his own breast to receive the sharp and glittering sword which must otherwise have smitten every child of man. When the fulness of time had come, he entered upon the arduous undertaking. His engagements were now nearly finished—a solid foundation of happiness was now laid—the uttermost farthing was now paid into the hands of Justice. The bond of suretyship was now signed and sealed, and rendered valid and saving to every believer to the end of the world. Yes, now it was — when Christ exclaimed “ It is finished ” —that man’s salvation was completed. The expiring cry of the Redeemer was not less IMPORTANT to JEHOVAH. He had satisfied his infinite justice in punishing sin to the utmost. He had exhibited his utter detestation of moral evil, and hence his holiness was greatly magnified. He had rendered his truth everlastingly glorious, in not conniving at transgression, but fulfilling, to the very letter, the threatening of death, although removed from the criminal to the surety. He had also given the most resplendent revelation of his infinite grace, unbounded mercy, and eternal love. Here was a full manifestation of all his adorable perfections, so that “ the first archangel never saw, so much of God before.” Surely this exclamation could not be less IMPORTANT to Jesus himself — that his arduous undertaking was now completed — that his unparalleled suffering was ended — that his ignominy was now about to be exchanged for dignity — his cross for a throne — his wreath of thorns for a crown of glory — that his groans and anguish were to be eternally forgotten in the rivers of pleasure which were to flow around his mediatorial seat for ever.

“ ’Tis finish’d ! let the joyful sound

Be heard through all the nations round :

’Tis finish’d let the echo fly

Through heaven and hell—through earth and sky !”