What did Christ mean by "It is finished"?

Christ's redemptive work (in obedience to the Father's requirement) was finished.

Compare the two:

The work of creation--the work was finished on the sixth day with the creation of Man. Then God rested at the end of the week. God's people followed that pattern. They worked, looking forward to a rest to come at the end of the week.

The work of the New Creation-- Christ began the work of the new creation on the first day by becoming the New Man. Then Christ rested from His work. God's people follow that pattern by resting from their works of the Law. It's the beginning of the week, and Christ already did the work. There's no more work for us to do. It is finished.

 

"It is finished" was a financial term which is roughly equivalent to 'debt paid in full.'

Sin was atoned for on the Cross in full. Hebrews points that out, as does Paul in the second chapter of his first letter to Timothy:

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- for kings and all those n authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave homself as a ransom for ll men -- the testimony given in its proper time.

 

Helen,

 

I think all three are true. Salvation was a done deal. The sacrifice was made, and death was mere seconds away ...

 

I chose "other" because salvation was completed through the sacrifice of Christ's life and nothing more is needed - we are not saved by the righteous we have done. They could never be enough. And Jesus was moments from death.

 

"If Christ be not risen - your faith is in vain"

That which was finished - refers not to our salvation entirely, but a part of the process

Matthew 5:17 ¶ Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled
That which was fulfilled/finished and thus superseded by a new law upon His resurrection, was the OT Law

 

Yes, I too think all are true.

I think the primary meaning was that Jesus' redemptive work was finished (as had been said).

- He had lived the perfect life necessary for meeting God's requirements

- He had suffered for all sins and paid the debt.

- He had endured the forsaking, poured-out wrath of the just, righteous Father.

I take this phrase as one of victory, completion (duh, "finished" ha ha), and satisfaction. Jesus knew that His work that had been foreordained since the beginning of time (and even before that) was accomplished. Jesus had single handedly fulfilled the most important act in history. He told the Father triumphantly, "I have completed everything you had for me to do."

God bless!

 

His work was finished.

 

Shall there another animal sacrifice, offering, building of the temple again in the future?

In Christ
Rev. 22:20 - Amen!