The Seven Last Words of Christ: The Sixth Word

"It is finished."

John 19:30

Matthias Grünewald, Isenheim Altarpiece (detail), 1515

Lord Christ, only Son of the Father, when you came down from heaven for us and our salvation, you glorified your Father by finishing the work he gave you to do (Jn. 17:4).  You are the mighty savior, born of the house of David, whom the Lord, the God of Israel, raised up to deliver his people and fulfill his promise of old to save your people from their enemies (Lk. 1:68–71).  When, in your steadfast love, you went down with Israel to Egypt to bring your people up again,* you “struck Egypt through their firstborn” (Ps. 136:10) but passed over the houses sprinkled with the blood of the lamb (Ex. 12:27).  When, “at the end of the age” (Heb. 9:26), you were lifted up and received the wine from the sponge put on hyssop, you appeared as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (Jn. 1:29).

Christ Jesus, when you came into the world, you came to do the will of him who sent you (Jn. 6:38).  You said to your Father, “See, I have come to do your will; I delight to do your will, O my God” (Heb. 10:7, 9; Ps. 40:8).  You will was perfect obedience to the Father, and “by that will we have been sanctified” through the offering of your body (Heb. 10:10), when, through the eternal Spirit you offered yourself without blemish to the Father (9:14).  By your humility we are cleansed,† because you emptied yourself and became obedient unto death, stretching out your arms on the cross, presenting your body as “a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Rom. 12:1).

Christ our Passover, you finished the work of love you were given to do; you were sacrificed for us (1 Cor. 5:7), and have taken away the sin of the world.  O Lamb that was slain, by your death, you have destroyed death, and by your rising to life again have restored to us everlasting life.‡

     Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, 
         miserere nobis.
     Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, 
         miserere nobis.
     Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, 
         dona nobis pacem.

* Gen. 46:4; Ps. 136:11.  Cf. Origen, In Gen. hom. 15:5, 6.

† Augustine, Io. ev. tr. 119.4.

‡ Proper Preface for Easter, The Book of Common Prayer.