Finished!

Today’s Verse:

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. ~John 19:30

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The word “finish” implies completion. To an artist, it means a painting is done. For a runner, “finish” implies he has completed the race. For students who have worked on a project, “finish” means the project is done and ready for submission. All that needs to be done has been done. Nothing more needs to be added to what has been done. Jesus said, “It is finished.”

We see the device of the cross.

“Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.” The cross was a barbaric device invented by the Assyrians for the death of a condemned man. It was called a cross because two wooden beams were attached to form a “t.” The condemned man would be tied or, in most cases, nailed to the beams through his hands and feet. Crucifixion was a slow, agonizing death involving loss of blood, dehydration, and asphyxiation. Fluid build-up in the lungs from the pressure of the body weight bearing down on the chest cavity left a man gasping desperately for breath. The cross brought fear and trembling to all who were condemned to die by crucifixion.

We see Deity on the cross.

“Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.” Jesus was nailed to the cross. Jesus, the perfect, sinless Son of God was crucified. It was not just any man the Jews condemned: it was God Man they crucified. Jesus is God Who is Creator. Jesus is God Who is eternal. Jesus is God Who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and able to be everywhere at one time. He is a Member of the triune Godhead: coequal, co-eternal, and co-essential. It was God Who was nailed to the cross and shed His blood for every sinner.

We see the devotees at the cross.

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.” The most devoted followers of Christ bravely stood by Him as He hung on the cross. These women were saved and helped much during the ministry of Jesus. To them, it was the least they could do at His most excruciating human moment. They were not ashamed to be identified with Christ in His suffering hour. They were not ashamed to count the cost of being stigmatized, ostracized, or terrorized by those who despised Jesus. How devoted does the world think you are to Jesus?

We see the disinterest at the cross.

“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.” The soldiers considered Jesus a criminal deserving of death. They gambled away their time at the cross when they should have realized that Jesus was suffering and died for them. They were more concerned about His coat than they were about their conversion. They were more concerned about worldly gain than they were about eternal life. Be careful that the cross never becomes old and disinteresting to your faith.

We see the defeat at the cross.

He said, “It is finished.” What was finished? When Jesus cried this out, He declared victory over sin, Satan, and death. All three enemies were defeated at the cross. There was no more need for a sacrificial death of an innocent victim for sin: Jesus was the perfect Sacrifice for every sinner. Our sin debt is paid in full. It’s finished! You can be saved today from your sins because of the finished work of Christ.

Have a blessed God Morning!

Bible Reading Schedule: Nehemiah 12-13

#Christ039sDeath #Cross #John #Salvation