With his last breath Jesus uttered a final word, translated into English, "It is finished!"
The eternal Son of God, who fully embraced humanity by becoming a man, accomplished what no human being could. We likely can't fully grasp the magnitude of the horrific event that occurred on the cross. Some have attempted to describe the physical aspects of crucifixion, and it was vividly portrayed in the film "The Passion of the Christ." It certainly must have been terribly gruesome and excruciating. However, what we may gloss over is the emotional and psychological aspects of what happened to Jesus as he was consumed by sin that was not his own. He took upon himself wickedness that was gravely offensive to God the Father. The combination of all of this torture and trauma was exactly what the Lord would have avoided if God would have provided a different path.
But the cross was the path.
With that final declaration Jesus completed an enormous task fueled by God's love for mankind.
Salvation.
Atonement.
Forgiveness.
Eternal life.
The way into God's presence.
The power and effect of this event stands as the single most significant act in all of human history. And it served to provide the solution to the deepest longing in every human heart - connection to God himself in the most meaningful way. When we embrace Jesus' finished work on our behalf we come home in the truest sense. We gain everything that was lost in the Garden of Eden because of Adam's failure to trust God completely.
As we approach "Good Friday" perhaps it will be helpful to slow down and consider exactly what was "finished" and why it matters.
1 comment:
Thoughtful. Thought provoking. If the Bible is the story of man's journey to return to the garden and the loss of that relationship with God, then the work was truly finished at the cross. As we focus on the events of this week, what I'm aware of is the need to rest in the reality that it is finished. No other work is required for my salvation. It is finished indeed!
Post a Comment