It is Finished

“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 NIV

After months or even years of training, there is perhaps no greater feeling than crossing the finish line of a long and grueling race and being able to declare that it's done, finished. Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt on that "Good Friday" two thousand years ago then? Years of teaching the masses, healing the sick, and serving the Lord with all humility had led Him to this day—the day He would be tried, convicted and sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit. The day He would be severely beaten, flogged, mocked, slapped and spat on before being given a crown of thorns to wear and forced to carry his own cross to Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, where He was crucified. Having endured all that, Jesus breathed his last breath and said, "It is finished."

"It is finished." Three of the most profound words ever spoken—and literally translated from the Greek word tetelastai, an accounting term that means "paid in full." When Jesus uttered those words then, He was declaring that the sin debt (past, present, and future) of all mankind (that includes you and me) owed to God was wiped away forever, completely reconciled by Jesus’ death on the cross. In other words… Jesus paid a debt He didn’t owe for a debt we couldn’t pay. Why? D.A. Carson explains it this way, “It was not nails that held Jesus to that wretched cross; it was his unqualified resolution, out of love for his Father, to do his Father’s will—and it was his love for sinners like me." Do you just love that or what? 

So let us never forget that we have a Savior who loves us so much that He would die for us my friend. But don’t keep the Good News to yourself! Jesus’ death and resurrection provided eternal life to all those who place their trust in Him. But if we don’t tell the lost, how will they know? Tell somebody about Jesus!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ-a sacrifice so great that it’s hard to grasp. Help us to comprehend how deep your love is for us Lord that we might be forever grateful. Please help us also to remember that it's ONLY by the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb, that our sins have been wiped clean and we have eternal life with You. Make us bold in sharing that Good News with everyone so that the lost can experience for themselves the perfect love of Jesus Christ. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!