In this blog, I want to look at something Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:20. I quote:
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” 2 Cor. 1:20.
What does Paul mean?
HELP FROM JOHN´S GOSPEL
I believe a verse from John´s gospel can help us here. Let’s see if John 19,30 can shed some light for us on 2 Cor. 1:20.
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 .
The verb John uses for “It is finished” is tetelestai. It comes from the noun telos, which means goal or end. We need to factor this in as we consider the words of Jesus. They indicate that a terminal point/an end point has been reached. As he hung there dying, the whole mission that Jesus had received from the Father was nearing completion.
This verbal form is a passive perfect construction, which tells us two important things:
a) The perfect tense in Greek denotes an action completed in past time, but whose consequences yet persist, and
b) The passive tense indicates the fulfilling of all that God had been doing in Christ up until this time.
WHAT WAS, GOD DOING IN CHRIST ACCORDING TO JOHN?
1. ETERNAL LIFE
Christ is the Logos, the Word, the Only-Begotten Son of the Father who was sent from the Father’s side; yet who in his Incarnate state remains in the Father’s bosom (John 1,18).
John´s message is that the Word was sent to reveal the Father to us; and to win us back to Father’s presence. Thus we are taught:
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
And what is eternal life?
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3
2. THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD
Jesus de-throned the prince of this world (12:31), being glorified by the Father on the Cross; crucified according to John, on the very day the lambs were being slaughtered for Passover (19:31; 18:28 and 19:36).
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (1,29). In this John agrees with Paul, it was Christ our Passover Lamb who was slain (1 Cor. 5:7).
3. BREAD FROM HEAVEN
Jesus is the Bread that came down from heaven, so that whoever feeds on him may have eternal life (John 6,57-58).
And John continues in his first letter; and that life is IN HIS SON (1 John 5:11)!
4. HE HEALED US
In his coming from the Father’s side; in his taking upon himself human flesh; in his ministry of healing and of teaching, and finally in his death, he took upon himself the human condition! HE HEALED US!
IN THE INCARNATION TAKEN AS AN EVENT, GOD HAS IN HIS SON MET ALL THE SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL NEEDS OF MANKIND!
5. ALL PROPHECY FULFILLED – 2 CORINTHIANS 1:20
Thus, in the Incarnation, the story of God´s dealings with men – from Adam, through Abraham and the Patriarchs, through the covenants to Israel – that story, met its end point, when Jesus cried “It is finished”!
And thus all prophecy is fulfilled in him!
So Paul can say in 2 Corinthians 1:20 that in Christ, all the promises of God find their YES!
IT IS SUFFICIENT
That “It is fulfilled” means also that “It is sufficient”.
All that the Father sent Jesus to do has been accomplished. Nothing is lacking!
Everything was paid in full for our complete redemption of body soul and spirit!
So when we come to the Father, and enter his presence we know that all our needs are already met! We don’t come begging God for this and that! We come saying thank you Father that I already have ALL THE THINGS that pertain to life and godliness (1 John 5:14-15; 2 Peter 1,3). Thank you that all my needs for this life are already met in Christ (see also Matthew 6:33 and Romans 8:32)!
The Father wants us to be confident and bold with thanksgiving when we bring him our needs!
BE BLESSED!😊👍