Death Undone: The Crucifixion’s Achievement
When we speak of the Finished Work, we refer to-
· The full background of the work:
o Adam was made for dominion of the created order.
o Adam was given freedom of expression in his very being.
o Adam chose to reject the plan of his Creator.
o God promised a “Second Adam” who would restore creation.
· The full Person of the work:
o Jesus is the eternal Son of God, made flesh through the virgin birth.
o Jesus lived a sinless life, in full obedience to the Law, and in complete righteousness in all things.
o Jesus willingly gave his life in obedience to the Father.
o After death, He was raised, ascended, sits at the right-hand of the Father, and will come again.
· The full effects of the work: The “finished work” is fully “bought and paid for” and is totally guaranteed, though not fully delivered.
Correcting a Misunderstanding:
· The Finished Work is so much more than enabling you and me to be saved (though it is fundamental to that offer).
· When we read the cross as all about us we become guilty of eisegesis.
The Finished Work: An Incomplete List
An exhaustive treatment of the full Finished Work would likely take volumes. Here is an incomplete list from selected New Testament passages. I have organized the work into five categories. Romans 14:9 in my opinion, serves as the clearest statement of purpose for the death of Jesus Christ. It is a statement of dominion.
The Kingdom Category
o Romans 8:22 – Creation looks forward to a future time of restoration.
o Acts 3:21 – Speaks of the restitution of all things, a time yet future.
o Hebrews 12:2 – There is a coming joy, when Christ shall reign fully.
o Ephesians 1:10 – The coming day when the “finished work” shall be fully delivered.
The Glory Category
o Hebrews 2:10 – There was a “perfection” to the work of Christ that required the obedience of the cross (see also Heb. 5:8-9 and Lk 13:32).
o Philippians 2:9-11 – The greatest name and its necessary power were given to Jesus because of the cross.
o John 12:32 – The glory of drawing all men.
The Sin Category
o Jesus died because of sin.
§ Romans 5:6-8 – Christ died for the ungodly (v. 6) and for us (v. 8).
· The preposition for is from the Greek word ὑπέρ [huper], which is not “for the purpose of,” but rather “on behalf of.”
§ 1 Peter 3:18 – Christ suffered for sins.
· For sins - The preposition for is from the Greek word περί [peri], which is “concerning” and not “for the purpose of.”
· For the unjust – the preposition is huper, as in Romans 5:6-8.
· These for statements are not purpose statements but cause and effect statements.
o Jesus died to destroy sin.
§ Romans 8:3-4 – Sin was condemned in the flesh of Jesus Christ! It has no more power, voice, or influence over salvation.
§ Galatians 1:4 – Because Jesus gave Himself for our sins (huper), He can deliver us without sin being a hindrance.
§ Hebrews 9:26 – Jesus put away sin (literally: disannulled). It’s power is gone.
§ 2 Corinthians 5:19 – The above three passages being true, how could He count our sins against us?
The Example Category
o 1 Peter 2:21-24 – An instruction given specifically to Israel for her tribulation days, it shows the supreme example shown in Jesus for unjust suffering. Titus 2:14b also speaks of this.
o Philippians 2:5-7 would be a corresponding verse for the body of Christ.
The Grace Category
o 2 Corinthians 5:21 – by the gracious work of Jesus Christ, we can be made the righteousness of God. This would never be of our own works, but of His gracious gift, enabled by the finished work on the cross.
o 1 Timothy 2:6 -In due time (namely, under Paul’s apostleship), the grace of God which provided Jesus as a ransom for all was announced.
