It is Finished

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:28-30

It is done…finished. Usually when we utter those words it is with a sense of accomplishment, relief, even contentment to just know that a goal is reached. Jesus was in agony on the cross. His accomplishment of having completed what His Father sent Him to earth to do was voiced with a sigh, His last breathe, and the hush of death. It is finished. Jesus came to do a thankless job—to reach and teach humans the way God wanted them to live—to treat each other with kindness—and to explain that God’s Kingdom is a spiritual kingdom. In over thirty parables He explained that the Kingdom of Heaven is like…a mustard seed, leaven, a lost coin, a pearl…and how we should live—the obedient servant, the persistent widow, the ten virgins, the friend in need. He who has an ear, let him hear. His additional teaching occurred not just with His disciples, but with thousands of people seated on the hillside around Him. He taught in the Temple and synagogues that we should love God with our whole heart, mind and soul, and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39 and Mark 12:29-31). We should seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness and all the things in life that you need will be provided (Matthew 6:33). Words by which to live. His words were to die for…It is finished.

RSVP: Jesus gave us words by which to live. Are you reading His words today…and living by them? How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Jesus, it was finished for You. Your work on earth was completed. My continues. I live to serve You…to share You with others that they too will live someday in eternity with You. Guide my thoughts, words and actions that this goal of serving You would bring You glory and honor.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.