“Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:30 NASB)
The three most powerful, earth shattering words ever uttered was, “It is finished!” There are people who will argue that the most powerful words are “I love you” or “I am sorry” and to some extent I agree, both phrases are important and essential in every relationship. Without those three words spoken over 2,ooo years ago by a beaten, tortured, dying savior the two phrases I just mentioned are without significance. Jesus Christ, son of God, came to this earth so that ALL could have a relationship with God. There is not a relationship more important in your life than the one you have with God. All the “I am sorries” and the “I love yous” amount to nothing if you do not have a relationship with God. The phrase, “I love you” allows you to express how deeply you care about someone, it is usually spoken to people whom are significant in your life. The phrase, “I am sorry” allows you to let others know you realize you messed up or to show sympathy. The phrase, “It is finished” means so much more. It means ALL can have a relationship with God, it means I have been set free from my sins, it means death is not the end, it means I am loved, it means I have hope. Hope, for what you ask?
Hope that no matter what this life brings God will be with me. Hope that I can always count on God to provide for me. Hope that when I breathe my last breath, I will be in paradise with my savior. When Jesus took His last breath and said, “It is finished”, he established hope for all who believes in him. He in three words defeated the brutality of this life, and conquered death, so that ALL could live.
Family, friends, acquaintances, to those who might read this that I have never met, do you know this hope I speak of? As my pastor said in our Good Friday service, last night, “Many know the concept of Jesus, but do you know Jesus?” There is a difference in knowing of Jesus and knowing Jesus. (I’m about to step on toes, so tuck them under or step back) Just because you are a “good” person, and just because your mom, dad, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandma, grandpa, and best friend know Jesus and have a relationship with him does not mean you are going to Heaven. Just because you attend church every time the doors are open does not mean you are going to Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real, both places are beyond our comprehension but that does not mean they do not exist. Take those three powerful words as an invitation to be loved and accepted. When Jesus spoke those final words, “It is finished”, he also said, “You are accepted”, “You are forgiven”, “You are mine”, and “I love you”. My prayer is that you know this love I’m speaking of- “A love without end, amen.”
Until next time, remember : “The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His instructions are trustworthy.” (Psalm 111:7)
