Paid in Full

John 19:28-30

John 18 ends with Barabbas being released by Pilate. There is a story within that story though. Barabbas was sentenced to death. It is not even certain that Pilate would have offered to release him had it not been for Jesus. I honestly think Pilate took the most detestable person he could find thinking they would pick Jesus over him. However, that is not what happened. A man condemned and awaiting the execution of his sentence suddenly found himself walking free. Why? Because someone else was going to die in his place. Barabbas never had to worry about going to the cross for his insurrection, murder, and robbery. That debt was paid in full by Jesus.

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After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:28-30

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While many of us sing, "Jesus Paid It All", some of us do not realize just how factual that statement is. According to John's account, the last words Jesus spoke on the cross were, "It is finished". In the Greek, that translates to "paid in full". It is what would be written on a bill after the final payment had been made. If the bill collectors returned to try and get more money, all the former debtor had to do was show his bill with the words "It is finished" written across it and the bill collector had to walk away empty handed. The same thing was written on a prison sentence that had been served. Once the time was served, "It is finished" was written on the charges and no more time could be served.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). In other words, what sin earns us is a death sentence. In Genesis 3, all it required was one sin for Adam and Eve to be placed under this sentence. Once the verdict of guilty is passed, the only power a person has is to serve out their sentence for himself. When it comes to God being a righteous and just judge, the price for the crime must be paid.

This is why John 3:16 is so precious to us. Yes, God's justice had to be satisfied, but He sent His only begotten Son to pay that debt for us. Because Jesus was without sin, He could die the substitutionary death for us. On the cross, our sins were placed on Him, and when we receive His sacrifice for our sins (salvation), His righteousness is placed on us. Then, just as Barabbas walked away a free and guiltless (in the eyes of the court) man, so we will be able to walk into Heaven free and guiltless because of Jesus. That is only if we receive His Salvation though. If we try to do it on our own, we are trying to serve out our own sentence and that ends in eternity in Hell 100% of the time.

For those who are (or will be) saved, Jesus's final words on the cross was the rubber stamp of "Paid In Full" imprinted on our criminal record. Though we walk free, the price was paid on Calvary. Remember, "if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). What a reason to celebrate this Easter, and every other day!

Father, when we think of how much condemnation we were under because of our sins, it is overwhelming. No doubt we have all felt the weight of guilty because of those sins at times. Guilty and shame are heavy burdens for us all. Thank You for sending Jesus to carry all of that upon Himself when He died on the cross. Thank You for satisfying the debt for our sins.