Text: Isaiah 53:4-11, John 19:16b-37, John 3:16
Good morning, precious sisters. I wish I could greet each one of you with a quiet hug on this day of mourning. It is perhaps the most bittersweet day of the year, but somehow, in the darkness, the sweetness is harder to find.
Have you read through today’s passages yet? If you haven’t, I’d love if you’d do that first. Today we’ll sit quietly in John’s account of Christ’s crucifixion – chapter nineteen. Read the other gospel accounts too, if you like (Matthew 27:32-56, Mark 15:21-41, Luke 23:26-49). Allow your heart to enter into the text and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet distractions as you enter into this holy narrative.
. . .
Do you feel the weight of what you just read? It’s hard to read without deep sighs and even tears, isn’t it? The reality of a real man – my God – enduring what He did. It makes me so painfully uncomfortable and yet, picturing it all, I’ve never felt so deeply loved.
I appreciate that John is careful to write historically, but that so much of what he writes has profound underlying spiritual meaning. The way he references fulfilled Old Testament prophecies is good and practical, but there is so much more to it than that. With each prophetic reference, John shows us God’s hand at work across the ages.
In a sham of a trial with an unjust verdict, He shows us that this is how God intended for His only Son to be sentenced. What they meant for evil, God meant for good. John shows us God – working out His purposes in this poor, fallen world. In a situation where God seems to be completely absent, He has been present for ages.
And when Christ breathes His final words before His death, “It is finished,” He not only indicates that the worst ordeal – bearing the wrath of God against sin in the place of His people (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34) – is literally over, He has also completed the work of salvation for His people.
It is finished. Complete.
And hear this today, Sisters – really hear it: Because it is finished, there is nothing that any one of us can contribute to His work on the cross to bring us any closer to salvation.
He did it all.
“He was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.”
(Isaiah 53:4-5, ESV)
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60 thoughts on "finished"
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I missed yesterday so I'm catching up today! This is such a beautiful, romantic story of Jesus dying for the ones He Loves…Us!! One of my most favorite passages is in Luke:
"But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God, since you are undergoing the same punishment? We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom! ” And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:40-43 HCSB)
When I was in college, I didn't really attend church. I was involved with our university concert choir and we sang a song that included this passage if scripture. I remember thinking how powerful of a message it is. I just really spoke to me. Now almost 10 years later, it is still one of my most favorite. Up until until point of His death, He showed love, mercy and compassion!!
Blessings!
This was a beautiful expression of how deep the Father's love is! As I was reading the story of Jesus's death last night tears started streaming down my face when I was hit with the weight of His love. He didn't have to come here and be our sacrifice, but he was willing to lay down his own life and even be separated from his Father because he knew we needed a Redeemer. Praise God, what a Saviour we have!
Humbly I come to Calvary
Where Christ died in my place
A girl whose heart was broken
And overwhelmed by grace.
You guys should check out this song called It Is Finished by Sarah Hart Pearsons within the next few days. It’s a great up beat song on His Resurrection. She has a lot of other great songs too!
"All we, like sheep, have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
rand the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities."
— Isaiah 53: 6,11
The Lord laid all of our, all of my, iniquities on Jesus, and He bore them in my place. He chose to. He bore them ALL. Past, present, and future. He bears them.
Today is the 2nd anniversary of learning about my friend's suicide (He died yesterday night, 2 years ago, and was found the next morning, when I was told). I look back… He was a Jehovah's Witness, with no hope, no love, no honesty, only being pushed into religion that He did not believe in to keep smiles on everyone's face in the church and family… He hated his family life… I can still feel his hug, hear his voice. But it's surprising to me, how healed I am of it today. There is no ache, like there was for months afterwards. I didn't realize it was the anniversary until I looked on my wall to see his letter to me. I've cried bitterly over the times I spent foolishly with him instead of wanting to truly know him and tell Him about the real love of God in the form of Christ. But today, I remembered my precious Jesus' death– such a stark contrast between the two deaths– and how, though my friend's death only brought grief, death, and pure pain with no hint at joy, Jesus' death brought eternal LIFE, and was THE ONLY death to ever bring such Salvation to others.
DEATH HAS LOST IT'S STING. SIN HAS LOST IT'S POWER. I can imagine the disciples and women grieving over Jesus… they didn't know He'd rise yet, they had no idea in those moments, and there was nothing but loss… but HE CAME BACK! Lord, I pray that all affected by death of any sort in this life would come to know that it doesn't have to sting when you are their savior. That with your mighty arm and never-failing love, You've transformed what once was grief, hopelessness, and dead law into abundant, intimate, beautiful LIFE in You. You alone do this; I can't add to it or take away from it. You alone bring salvation. You alone are the LIFE. Praise you, Jesus. Forever and ever and ever. You are HOLY and so WORTHY to be praised.
Grieving with you AnnaLee! (yet our "joy comes in the mourning/morning") . It's a bittersweet memory, I know. I discovered a dear friend of mine for 13 yrs. who took his own life also in 2009. It's a real hard place to be. I lingered in the shock and emptiness for over a year. So sorry for your loss and the loss to his family and his self. Death without hope, etc. is so devastating! My heart ached as I read this. But you turned that around through the healing you found and praise God for the contrast you shared between the two deaths. Indeed, it is a stark one.
When we look at our grief in the loss of loved ones, it's makes an incredible difference when and if we have the assurance of their salvation in Jesus Christ rather than the pain. So thankful for Jesus' power over death and His glorious resurrection!
Blessings and praise God that you know the victory and now realize that you (we) must share with everyone before it is too late. May the Holy Comforter take you as your own praise has … beyond the sting of death to the One who holds the keys and is ever so worthy to be praised! Again. I'm so sorry … wrapping you in the arms of Jesus today with my prayers, Peggy
Thank you, dear friend! I know I write a novel every time I comment, so thank you for reaching out like this and reading all of it! Praise Jesus. He is good. Be blessed.
maybe the best #shereadstruth post to date. freedom. freedom. freedom. amen.
"IT IS FINISHED!" … FINISHED … COMPLETED!
So very humbly grateful for Jesus Christ … so full of love, sacrifical love, unconditional love, love so complete …
(and His 7 last statements) to us starting here where I shared in April 2012 (1- 6) on one of my blogs: http://mazmagi.blogspot.mx/2012/04/7-last-words-o…
1) Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
2) Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:45
3) When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:26-27
4) From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi,lama sabachthani?" — which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:45-46
5) Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." John 19:28
…ending with the one from our devotion today: http://mazmagi.blogspot.mx/2012/04/7-last-words-o…
*6) When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
John 19:30
7) Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit." When He had said this, He breathed His last.
Luke 23:46
Some videos that you might want to see or hear to remind you of this day and SONday:
"It's FRIDAY but SONday's coming" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YByT6wfdhJs
"DO YOU KNOW MY KING?" by Dr. S. M. Lockridge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE
Thank you SRT and commUnity for sharing JESUS so completely! This has been a beautiful 40 days! Have a blessed and JOYful Resurrection weekend!
In Christ,
Peggy
I love the one by Dr. S. M. Lockridge "Do You Know My King?" Very powerful!
For some reason, this time around, I really noticed the portion in Jn. 19:28-30 where Jesus asks for something to drink. Though it is a small detail compared to all the pain He was in at the time, it struck me.
According to John, He said "I am thirsty" in order to fulfill the scripture. This means He may not have actually been thirsty, but He chose to drink sour wine from a sponge, regardless of need or desire, because He knew that was part of the Father's plan – what perfect obedience!
He chose to go through all manner of horrors, small and large, and did not try to shirk even one small action, so that all of the scriptures might be fulfilled for our sake – what love for us!
After today's reading and mediating on what Good Friday really is, I feel the need to spend all day in God's word. Such a love He has for us. John 3:16 really just lays it all out there, God gave up his son because HE LOVES US. Have a nice day ladies.
…"Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lifted up was He to die;
“It is finished!” was His cry;
Now in Heav’n exalted high.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior!"
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Philip P. Bliss, pub.1875
Love this!!
This. This is love. This is grace ill-deserved. This is mercy we should never have received. We put Christ on the cross, and yet He chose to go willingly…silently…meekly…because He knew that it was the only way to save us. And oh, how He loves us! That He WANTED to save us!!
I have some of the lyrics to this song written in the margin of my Bible, right above John 19.
"When blood and water hit the ground,
walls we couldn't move came crashing down.
We were free and made alive,
the day that True Love died." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opk-as2N1oU
Be blessed this Friday, sweet ladies.
Thank you Rachel!!! HIS "True LOVE" humbly blessed me and made me recall what I shared! AMEN! to all you shared!
Be blessed, too!
Peggy
My heart is heavy and full. I mourn yet i rejoice. PRAISE God fo the gift of Salvation. Thank you for this very powerful and moving post. GOD BLESS YOU ALL SISTERS!
Heavy and full. I know how you feel, Lisa…I feel the same way. Heavy because of the horror of the cross, full because I know the love of the cross.
Beautifully said Rachel. And Lisa…amen…
Today, there are simply no words. As I struggled to find something, anything to say, the only thing that came to mind was the refrain from Jesus Paid It All (Elvina M. Hall, 1865). So simple in words, yet so heavy in its truth.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
Love that song!
Me toooooo…..Thank you for the reminder..x
In the beginning was the Word. At the cross was the Word, and the Word will be with us throughout all eternity. Jesus Christ is the Word, and He did what the Father called Him to do, and that my friend is why we honor and celebtate Good Friday!
"In a situation where God seems to be completely absent, He has been present for ages."
This, right here, got me.
I've always struggled with this, perhaps because I hate flying, but would probably be OK with it if I was the pilot. Trust and belief were a long time coming for me, because it meant admitting I couldn't do it on my own, that I wasn't in control.
All I can do is say "Yes, Lord." Over and over and over again.
Beautiful. Same here, drasch. How difficult yet hugely relieving to just admit that I cannot and will never be able to control my life or make it new again like Jesus can. Giving it all to Him is hard, especially in the midst of brokenness… but He is faithful and able. ALWAYS. He's wonderful.
It's important to remember that Jesus wasn't God's "only Son" but His "only begotten Son" created specifically for the gift of Salvation. I've chosen to be joyous today and not mournful because Jesus fulfilled His purpose. He wasn't forced, coerced, or blackmailed onto the Cross but He went willingly and for this fact I'm exceedingly grateful. I celebrate this Good Friday for what it is, a good day to exalt the One who went down into the bowels of the earth and grabbed our souls. Hallelujah that we don't have to wait until Sunday to rejoice!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnAtsV-fxj4&f…
This song came to mind this morning as I read these passages and read your comments.
Jesus Paid it All and I praise God that he loved me this much… .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EVco7eba0
Amazing Shelia, Jodi also had this great song come to mind…..x
Ok sisters, Is it just me or does the Scripture image not resemble Jesus on the cross? Very emotional, yet, profound devotional & comments!
I saw that, too!
Me too! I think that was the point…those SRT ladies are pretty smart…
Andrea, I think that is the point….the words are spaced out in the shape of a cross….rightly so…..especially today….God bless you …x x
Indeed it is finish. Sin, shame, iniquity, bondage and slavery to sin. He took that all away through the sacrifice of His only Son. One man died for all. Who the Son set free is free indeed.
Halellujah to the Lamb of God who is worthy to be praised.
It is finished. Our salvation is bought. His death on the cross saves us – there is nothing we can do to earn or lose it. He gave all for us, so we could be called His children. The chastisement for OUR peace is upon Him. He paid for us all.
Words cannot begin to express how grateful I am for the bitter sacrifice that was paid for me and all of my junk. It didn't even matter to Him, what my circumstance was…how many excuses I made when I didn't serve Him as I ought…He still hung there for me. He looked at all of my stuff and still said, "It is finished." How humbling is that? God, I thank you so much for your love!
Hi ladies / sisters / friends,
Lovely to read alongside everyone each day :-) I have loved the precious poignancy of the readings this week….. but girls I've got something a bit more practical to say.
I'm going to spend Easter weekend with my parents and family, and I'm apprehensive because family time is not always easy time…. God knows the details, but I hope maybe you could pray for/with me, and for everyone else for whom these holiday times bring an extra measure of uncomfortableness or difficulty.
Thanks – great to be part of a community where we can do this sort of thing :-)
I have similar experiences with my family, prayers have gone up for you this morning.
Praying with you and for you!
Thanks sisters :-) Praying your weekends are beautiful x
So glad you mentioned this, NicolaL! I have been blessed with a strong, Jesus loving family, who loves each other very much, but I know that there are so many who really struggle with family time. I will definitely be praying for all of you who have burdens to bear on this and every holiday. Praying for wisdom and love in your heart and your words, as well as those of your family!
Prayed for you sis! That God's same Love that kept Jesus on that cross for us (He could've gotten down at any time) would eclipse the uncomfortably of this situation and that Jesus would bring healing there this Easter! Praying for you too Shelia!
He did it all. It is finished. Paid in full. He has delivered us. We are set free. For whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Unimaginable. For my King to die for me, a sinner, to ransom me. I can't begin to fathom this. I can't understand why He would do such a thing for me.How great is His love for you and me. Lord, I am ever so grateful.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17). He is the answer to what we are looking for.
There is nothing to feel but pain, a real ache in the heart, when we read these accounts of Jesus' crucifixion…..it truly goes to the core of one's being….that pain, the suffering, the insults…..it is so very hard to see beyond those moments in your imaginings…with every wound a sharp pain in my heart…..every nail into Jesus' hands and feet….the crown of thorns on His head….and not just placed there… pressed in so it drew blood…bitter wine in the wounds….insults…
I remember the days leading up to my daughter's death, I begged, I bargained, I pleaded with God to take me…save her….she was young and had a future ahead of her, I had lived, and was prepared to give my life for hers…..but would I give my life for all…those who have hurt me, others, murderers, could I stand in their place, whilst they continued to hurt me….that would be a sacrifice…..greater love hath no man than to lay down His life for another…. THIS WAS A SACRIFICE…….a laying down of life….knowing….
……this here, this cause of pain, of ache in the heart….this right here was for ME…YOU…US…OUR CHILDREN, OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN…..OUR FAMILIES….THE WORLD…we hurt Him, we betrayed Him, we ran from Him, we sold Him for 30 pieces of silver for goodness sake…… and yet, and yet He gave His life for us…
This is LOVE at its very best, LOVE in its purest form, LOVE in the highest, from the Highest….God……..Painful though it is to read and image, this was God's plan…as John kept reminding us….' so the prophecy would come to pass'….Gods plan to show us HOW MUCH He loves us…..He loves us…..
God's greatest gift to us was Jesus….His greatest plan for our salvation was through Jesus, ….His greatest love for us was shown through Jesus on the cross…..
It is finished….
It is finished….
….Because it is finished, there is nothing that any one of us can contribute to His work on the cross to bring us any closer to salvation….I am on my knees today……. in praise, in awe, in gratitude, in amazement, with a freed, saved, loved and thankful heart…
Thank you Lord…..Thank you Lord…. Thank you…
With love sister's, ….morning…xxx
He did it all.
Amen! This post was powerful! May God continue to bless you! Thank you.
Amen my friend. Amen…
Thank you for another beautiful, humble, heartfelt post. Blessings.
"This is LOVE at its very best, LOVE in its purest form, LOVE in the highest, from the Highest….God"
Yes. Amen.
Ahhh, YES. Amen and Amen.
It is finished. There are no other words. Today I just want to reflect on that truth and know the cost of that sacrifice. Praise God. Thank you for all the scripture links- I needed to surround myself in his word today and rest there. It is finished but it is not the end!
Isn't that just the best? It is finished – but it is not the end. Oh girl, isn't it wonderful that the story doesn't end here? That this is truly just a beginning? Oh, what a way to think about it today. Thank you for your words, it reminds me of the hope found in the morning to come.
Love it…"It is finished but it is not the end." What a sweet way to close out this study.
My heart is full after just finishing my own post for Good Friday. I feel like I have "lived" it all this entire week and I am grateful.
Salvation is not of works, lest I should boast. It is only by the blood of Jesus.
So many wonderful things happened on this "day of mourning", starting with "It is finished." The veil in the temple was torn in two signifying we can now worship God anywhere and anytime we please! In full relationship with HIM. No High Priest, no middle man and that blood that was shed covers my sins, your sins, for all time. No more sacrifice for sins!
I am anxious for Resurrection Sunday because I know we don't keep Jesus on the cross. Oh, Hallelujah!
Amen…
Candace, thank you for the reminder of the visual depiction of Christ's finishing work through the veil in the Temple being torn. Not only do we hear Jesus confirm that His work was complete, God (through His mighty power) gave us a tangible example that we are no longer separated from Him because of our sin. The veil has been torn. We can now have full communion with God because of what Jesus did on this holy day. Blessings to you and praise be to Him who saves!
Candace, that's on of my favorite parts about this narrative as well! I read somewhere that Josephus, the ancient Jewish historian, wrote that the curtain of the temple would have been about 60 feet high and 4 INCHES thick. Can you imagine?! Can you imagine the statement it made when that monster of a curtain was ripped in two from top to bottom?
And I love the fact it was torn from top to bottom: from God to man. Nothing we could ever do given the enormity of the veil…..it is only something God can do! Praise His holy name! Hallelujah!
What a powerful statement that the veil of the temple being torn meant! We see in Hebrews 9:1-8 that the high priest was the only person who once a year could enter the second part of the tabernacle "the most holiest places" to offer sacrifices for himself and for the people because the temple was the place that God dwelled (Ezekiel 43:7). In a sense, it was only the "high priest" who had the right to get close to God via entering through the temple and have everyone sins forgiving (at least for that moment). But Christ's work on the cross made the temple (made by man's hands) obsolete because all will have the right to have their sins eternally forgiving and be allowed to enter the Holiest of holiest through Jesus Christ (who would become the "new veil" [Hebrews 10: 19-20] and permit those he has called, to know and draw close to the Father through him). For it is through Christ that we get to know and draw close to the Father (John 14:6).
Beautiful! I wrote about it in my post on the blog today if you want to read it….although you just about wrote it, ha! Blessed Easter! http://www.hopeinthehealing.com/2014/04/17/who-to…
Wow! I didn't know you wrote about it! but I Just read it!…thanks for sharing the link and glad to see what all you have written…have a blessed day and Resurrection Sunday!