Garee,

We are not talking about the word "finished"; we are talking about the word "it".
The question is WHAT was finished at the point that He said it on the cross?
What did HE mean by "it"? What was HE thinking when He said "it" is finished?

Let's step way back here and look at the big picture, here.

premise 1: Jesus completed His work of redemption for us. (Amen, we all agree.)
premise 2: Justification is part of His work of redemption. (Romans 4:25, Amen, we all agree.)
premise 3: He was raised from the dead for our justification. (Romans 4:25, Amen, we all agree.)
conclusion: Therefore, the whole work of redemption was not finished on the cross; and when Jesus said "it is finished" from the cross, He was not referring to the entire act of redemption.

I can agree that the physical suffering portion of His work for our redemption was completed to a significant degree, if not completely, on the cross at the point that He said that.
I think that was a major part of the "it"; but I would argue what was really finished was the passover sacrifice/meal of Himself that started at The Last Supper.


Jim

Catholicism = Jesus Christ + NOTHING
Non-Catholic Christianity = Jesus Christ - LOTS