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. Go ahead and read now, I’ll wait. 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 your heart.
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 is showing 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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44 thoughts on "finished"
Carolynmimi- THANK YOU!!
I’m amazed at the beauty of your service, how powerful. I wish I could have participated. It really brings home the weight of my sin and the indescribable sacrifice of Jesus for me, for all of mankind.
I really enjoy your posts, they are so knowledgeable and I always learn from them!
I don’t know much, but I’m learning more everyday from all of the sisters of SRT!
Raechel, you have done AMAZING work on this study!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! To all of you girls who head this site, you are truly impacting and teaching hundreds of women. God’s hand is on you and what you are doing! Soo thankful He led me here. Have a beautiful Easter ladies! :)
Along with What Wondrous Love Is This that was posted above, here is another favorite hymn that brought me to tears last night in our Maundy Thursday service:
Were you there when they crucified my Lord…
Were you there when they nailed Him to a tree…
Were you there when they pierced Him in His side…
Were you there when they laid Him in the tomb…
Yes. I was there because my sin was there. My sin did this. Praise The Lord that I can also be there on Sunday morning, witnessing the resurrection and knowing that my salvation is with Him. He did it all for me, for you, for this world. Thank you doesn't even begin to cover it.
WOW!! Carolynmimi! What a wonderful and thoughtful time of remembrance and reflection! I love having the timeline available. That would have really been something to participate in! And so powerful!
I loved this from today: " The way he (John) references fulfilled Old Testament prophecies is good and practical, but there is so much more to it than that. With each prophetic reference, John is showing 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."
He has been present for ages!!!
Ladybug, His perspective is both forward and backward so that it shifts the horror and apparent tragedy of the crucifixion so that many of us wear a cross as a reminder that we are Christians…not as the gruesome tool of torture that it was, but as a symbol of God's Love and Grace, which it is. Oh, to be able to see with God's perspective. You are right, "He has been present for ages."
Love that song, haunting, true. Thanks for sharing.
Wow Carolynmimi! It would be such a blessing to participate in something like that. Thanks for sharing.
Several years ago, I researched the Gospel accounts of the passion of Jesus, trying to map out hour by
hour, his arrest, trial, crucifixion, death and burial. I summarized the events from sunset on Thursday
(the beginning of Friday for Jews) to sunset on Friday. In part I did this for my own understanding, but
also for the church my husband was serving as pastor.
That year and for many after it, rather than have a special “Good Friday” service, a raw beamed wooden
cross was carried into the sanctuary. Communion was prepared and blessed. For Lent that year, each
member of the congregation had received a nail, with a purple ribbon on it. I wore “my nail” as a pin
throughout Lent. On that Good Friday, at each individual or family’s convenience, they came to the
sanctuary. Each person received a summary of the hours of Jesus final day with the time of their arrival
written on it.
The time spent in the Sanctuary was a private time of prayer, reflection, Communion—if they chose—
and with a hammer provided, a time to drive their nail into the cross. [Colossians 2:13-14] One man
drove his nail so deep it could not be removed. Some people arrived early, some mid morning, others
on their lunch time, but they came, not just our congregation but some from the community. If they
arrived at 7 am, they read of the brutalization of Jesus, at 8 am of the long walk to Golgotha, Jesus, so
broken, that he stumbled under the weight of the Cross and Simon of Cyrene, a father of two young
boys forced to bear Jesus cross to the hill. Hour by hour, these worshippers came, some 2000 years
after Christ’s death entered the sanctuary and bore witness to His sacrifice.
At the end of the day, my husband and I entered the sanctuary to reflect, pray, and pound our nails into
the Cross. In that sacred moment, the presence of all visitors that day, indeed, all believers, pressed
against us and in a profound way, the power of the Holy Spirit filled that tiny Sanctuary. We wept
openly and without abandon. My hands trembled as I positioned my nail on the wooden cross, realizing
Romans, Jews were not the only murderers of Christ. I KILLED JESUS! My sinful dedication to SELF, put
the hammer in my hand.
Sorry for the length of this, SRT Sisters, but after this week’s journey , it was on my mind.
Blessings and REMEMBER EASTER IS COMING!!!
Incredible, Carolyn. I always think about the timing of these days, and must admit that it confuses me. I love what you and your husband did, and would have loved to have been a part of it. :)
That was amazing Carolyn, what an experience that must have been for you and your church!
Powerful. Carolynmimi, Thank you for sharing. I can only imagine how powerful this was to each individual member of your church that participated. I know how just reading this affected my heart.
I have tears now, Carolyn!! Thank you for sharing such a powerful message!!!
I, like many others, have never fully understood Holy Week. Thank you, Raechel, for these devotions this week– how enlightening! I have learned so much through the thoughtfully pieced scriptures and everyone's comments. I look forward to learning from you all in future devotion plans.
On a side note- a facebook friend posted this yesterday and I thought it was truly great. I had never before made the connection he makes (Mike Donehey from Tenth AvenueNorth). If you have a few minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embe…
Have a blessed Good Friday and weekend.
Wow! That was awesome! Thanks for sharing! :)
Charle Lynn, thanks for this. He wants our joy! Junebug, you speak my heart. I think, Jesus shouldn’t have had to pay the price for me. I feel like it can never be repaid and it makes me feel so powerless and undeserving. But it doesn’t keep me from accepting the gift. Part of me feels like I shouldn’t because I am so undeserving and I should be punished. But that is Satan. I need to accept the grace of God and realize itwould grieve Him if I chose not to out ofsome needfor self-punishment. So I do.
Reading the accounts in the Gospels always brings me to tears; reading in Isaiah that it had been prophesied that Jesus would go through such brutality takes me breath away, humbles me, and brings me to my knees.
I am always so amazed that He endured all of that so that I, and everyone around me, could enter into His presence someday. I am amazed.
I am so thankful for this devotion this morning, and reminding me to see the sweetness amidst the dark bitterness.
<3
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.
And all I can say is: wow! Amen!
Like many of you sisters, I share the same feelings and emotions this morning, as I quietly reflect on the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior. This study has blessed me deeply, and brought deeper meaning and understanding. Thank you, Rachel for your time and energy put into this Holy Week study.
Candacejo, thank you for explaining the meaning of the curtain of the temple being torn. I didn't know the significance of that passage.
That is another thing I have loved about study with SRT sisters. Each one if your comments has blessed me, enlightened me, and convicted me of my own truths; truly The Lord working through each one of you. I look forward to growing and studying with all of you SRT sisters in the future.
By his wounds we are healed! Precious Lord, thank you.
You are very welcome Margie…one scripture reference in the New Testament is "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT)
The magnificence of the veil being perfectly torn in two is quite astonishing given its size. It was as thick as a man's hand and was so large that if it became soiled it took 300 men to wash it! So when Jesus said "It is finished!" the veil was torn in two, from top to bottom, perfectly, signifying the entrance for all people into the Holy of Holies!! We are no more under the Law, but under Grace, so we do not need a High Priest but can boldly approach the "throne" and go straight to Jesus ourselves! Blessings to SRT sisters!
Amen!
I feel the same way…I was pretty depressed, or just convicted this morning. But coming out of it as its a lot to take in. And I think that's ok. ;)
"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 feel so powerless as I acknowledge this truth. I can do absolutely nothing to earn a speck of favor from God. So I grieve what Jesus experienced because of my sin. I know how ugly it is. How repulsive. I would never want anyone I love (or despise for that matter) to have to bear what dreadful consequences are rightfully mine. I take no pleasure in knowing what Jesus endured in my place.
I feel powerless also because I know that I cannot uphold the law. The full law, that is too much for me in the flesh. For everyone it's the same. So, like the women who were there at the foot of Jesus' cross, I stand in my vulnerability too. Incapable to do anything but accept that this is the only way to be atoned for. For good. It is finished. Yes, complete.
I know what's coming. Thank you Lord for that! But, this morning, I feel the heavy weight of Good Friday. I don't think I have ever genuinely felt this kind of sorrow on this day. I think you ladies at SRT have set a precedent in my devotional life. Thank you.
Hard admission in a world that honors the powerful, but JuneBug, you are so right on, like Mary Magdeline, Mary, His mother, and Salome, we are powerless. He came because of that powerlessness and died for us, because even the best hour of our lives wouldn't meet the standard…He loved us in our powerlessness and by His stripes we are healed. It is finished. Thank you for sharing.
I agree! I am so glad we did just "skip ahead" to the empty tomb!! And thankful we do not have to uphold the Law. I am thankful because of Calvary we are no longer under the Law but are under Grace. Because of Calvary HE paid it all so I didn't have to. It is a heavy weight when we try to process it all. All we can do is be thankful and give our lives BACK to Him as a LIVING sacrifice in return. Thank you All for sharing. A blessing.
I am so torn by Joy and Pain! Half of me wants to jump for joy and sing his parishes for the amazing sacrifice Jesus made for me. And part of me wants to fall on my face and wail In sorrow for the pain and rejection he had to feel for all of man kind. But the Holy Spirit just spoke to me and said "it is finished" now be happy and rejoice in it! That's what our father wants to see our joy not our mourning. So very Thankful for the life my father has given me. Praying to glorify him in deed and in my heart in every thing I do! In his name I pray Amen
I have read all of these scriptures numerous times, but never all together in this order. So they had never impacted me the way His Word did this morning. I was moved to tears at the suffering Jesus willingly went through and the overwhelming love God has for us, for ME! He loves ME enough to send His Son to die to save ME, even knowing all the ways I would fail. I have been Peter, denying him. I have been Judas, betraying him. I have been Thomas, doubting him. Just to name a few. I've been so unworthy and yet He loves Me still!!! This was such a blessing!
You speak my heart, Brianna!! Have a blessed weekend!!
I'm glad someone else feels the same, AmyKelly! Enjoy your Easter weekend too!
I have never understood or grasped the meaning of Holy Week before and now I understand. My heart is filled with sorrow and joy. I’m happy to be experiencing this with you all this year!
“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.”
Jesus Paid It All:
I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”
Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
For nothing good have I
Whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.
And now complete in Him,
My robe, His righteousness,
Close sheltered ’neath His side,
I am divinely blest.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
When from my dying bed
My ransomed soul shall rise,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
Shall rend the vaulted skies.
And when before the throne
I stand in Him complete,
I’ll lay my trophies down,
All down at Jesus’ feet.
Thank you Ashley for posting the words to this old hymn today. I'm sitting here in tears after singing it alone at the breakfast table. The last verse…hit me like a tonne of bricks.
It is humbling beyond recognition, beyond words. We are redeemed. We are loved. That is enough.
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
Love that song, haunting, true. Thanks for sharing
Numb. I feel numb. The anticipation of Easter Sunday makes my heart beat faster. It has been such a blessing to pour myself along with all of you into the depth of the true meaning of Holy Week. I feel that my Spirit has been forever altered and for that I am eternally grateful. Thanks be to God. I love you Lord of all!
Extreme emotions!!!! Tears of both sorrow and joy is what I feel right now. And anticipation of "up from the grave he arose".
Thank you SRT for making this time so special and thank you Lord for loving us so much!
It's so powerful to read first the prophecy, then the actual crucifixion, then John 3:16. It's overwhelming, I have no other words to describe it. Thank you, Jesus.
So thankful for this community of sisters and knowing that we are all experiencing God together on such a special day…. especially for those of us who may feel like, though we have believed our entire lives, we are just now understanding this in its gravity. That Jesus would go through all of this knowing that I would still make all the wrong, sinful choices I have made in my life, that is something I cannot comprehend. But I am thankful. Thank you God for your great, unfailing love.
Tears and gratitude reading this morning. So special to be experiencing this Holy Week with you all, sisters. Feeling such reverence for our Lord. Thank you SRT for this devotional. Have a blessed Good Friday, everyone.
Isaiah 53 has always been a favorite chapter, but today, by His stripes we are healed, so thankful, humbled.
So powerful. When I think about how much my God loves me that He would die for me I am so overcome with gratitude and a sense of peace. It is finished. Lets all try to believe that today.
Good morning, Sisters!! CandaceJo, I am with you! The tearing of that curtain is one of my favorite parts of the story. The fact that, through the blood of Jesus, we not only have forgiveness but that we can have a direct and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father?! I am eternally grateful!! No red tape, no intercessor, no waiting… Just me and my God, face to face, anytime I need Him… Anytime at all.
Our church was stripped last night during the Maundy Thursday service. Quietly, different people came to the altar and removed the beautiful paraments, the candles, the cross. Others covered the altar, the pulpit, and the holy things with shrouds of black. The sanctuary was silent. It was so quiet and simple an act… And yet the most powerful thing I have ever witnessed.
As solemn a day as this is, I am on the edge of my seat with excitement and anticipation for Sunday!! Good Friday, everyone.
Overwhelmed this morning with the scripture readings in the dark and the quiet, all alone with the Lord. Seems fitting as He was abandoned in the end to face His suffering by Himself. The cruelty, the humiliation, the anguish, and all before so many with such hatred for One that was innocent.
The passage that thrilled me this morning was the renting, or tearing, of the veil! ". At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." Matthew 27:50-51. Simply stated the veil separated the Holy of Holies in the Temple, the earthy dwelling place of God's presence.,and only the High Priest was allowed to enter pass the veil once a year into His presence to make atonement for the sins of Israel. But when Jesus died on the cross, carrying the sins of the world, the veil tore in two, on its own, symbolizing that no more would we need a High Priest! But we could go boldly before the throne of grace ourselves because of Jesus!
Thank God for Calvary! It is finished!
I must admit I have never gotten the meaning of the curtain of the temple being torn. Thank you so much for sharing!
You are so welcome! As Amy said, no intercessor is needed anymore! That was the significance of the veil and the Holy of Holies that separated God's people from His presence. And no waiting! Ha! Just call on the name yourself, how wonderful the nuggets we are uncovering.
Here is the scripture I was looking for earlier Sue, "And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT)