“Must Yet be Accomplished...”

(Luke 22:37)

What was yet to be accomplished? It was His reckoning among the transgressors. He wasn’t reckoned among the transgressors until He hung suspended between Heaven and earth between two thieves. Consider two conclusions. First, this event was purposed before the foundation of the world and prophesied in time but not accomplished until the obedience of Christ unto death. Secondly, Christ was not a transgressor but was among the transgressors. ‘Reckon’ means impute; He was among transgressors by imputation not practice. All other Scriptures are subservient to this Truth. Less clear passages are understood in light of the clearest passages. Furthermore, the LORD chose this passage to declare the goal and method of His work. When the sin of the elect was reckoned to Christ, righteousness was established, accepted and imputed by the Father. How could righteousness be imputed before it was established and accepted? Of course, it couldn’t, hence there was no justification before the foundation of the world.

This passage lands a deathblow to two false doctrines: first, eternal justification; secondly, Christ was a sinner. Our LORD’s choice of words: ‘accomplished’ and ‘end’ are the same word. Both are good translations of the original word. However, it finds its richest and fullest meaning in our LORD’s declaration: ‘it is finished’, John 19:30. Now, that is plain language! That which was not ‘yet’ before the cross; was ‘finished’ by the cross!