Friday, March 25, 2005
Good Friday
John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
IT IS FINISHED
"It is Finished!" This cry from the Cross was not the last gasp of a worn our life; not a forlorn sigh that the pain of it all would soon be over and done. Jesus did not mumble in misery, "It's all over for me now." Rather, receiving a drink and summoning His remaining strength, Jesus loudly proclaimed for all to hear "It is finished!" Everything had been accomplished for YOU.
The final pitched-battle with Hell's forces over your soul had been fought and won! He suffered for our sins and died. Soon He will shatter the power of death and the grave.
But the words "It is finished" mark not only the conclusion of His dying, but of His living as well. In word and deed and in spirit, He lived in faultless love to God and man as your substitute and as mine His whole life long.
He lived in our place.
He died in our place.
And now, when all is perfectly fulfilled,
both His living and His dying,
He announces for all to hear --"It is Finished!" 