It is Finished

MONUMENTS are usually created to honour the departed and commemorate their passing.

For example, the Washington Monument was built to honour the United States' first president, while the Great Pyramids of Egypt were built as tombs for Pharaohs and their families.

Monuments are places of remembrance.

Monument

A FUNERAL PROCESSION was on its way when Jesus stopped it.

Filled with compassion, Jesus told the mother of the dead not to weep.

He touched the briers and called him back to life. Then, he handed him to his mother. [Luke 7 verses 11-17]

Death has always been a sour point for the human race. No wonder when we lose a loved one, we are sad.

A CENTURION was close to losing a loved one when he sent some Jewish leaders to Jesus.

As Jesus neared his house, he sent friends to him, saying, "Do not trouble yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof."

I did not even consider myself worthy of coming to You, but speak a word, and my servant will be healed.

JESUS spoke a word, and His servant was healed. [Luke 7 verses 1-10]

Whenever people were in crisis, they sought him to say a word. Today, he wants you to speak His word.

When JESUS got on a boat with his disciples, a fierce storm arose, almost swarming them.

They woke him up to speak a word.

He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” The wind died down [as if it had grown weary], and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness]. [Mark 4 verses 35-41]

THERE WAS a great calm in Mary and Martha's home until their brother Lazarus fell ill.

So, they sent for Jesus. But he did not come quickly, and Lazarus died.

LORD, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now, I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give to You.”

She knew Jesus could heal and stop him from dying but did not know that he could do much more.

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise [from the dead].”

Martha replied, “I know he will rise [from the dead] in the resurrection on the last day.”

“I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies.[John 11:21-25]

LAZARUS was dead, but Jesus called him back to life, and people saw Lazarus walk out the tomb.

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God can raise anything you have killed—including yourself.

ON THE NIGHT, he was betrayed; after communing with his disciples, he took them to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he told them to sit and pray.

My soul is deeply grieved, so I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and stay awake and keep watch with Me.” [Matthew 26 verses 36-46]

He went a little farther, fell face down and prayed.

“My Father, if it is possible [that is, consistent with Your will], let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.

He was in a place of discomfort but chose his Father’s Will.

The SECOND TIME, he prayed: “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

Jesus understood the process and was ready to finish what he started.

He told the Father to glorify him as he had glorified the Father. [John 17:4]

He willingly allowed them to take him away when they came to arrest him.

IT WAS a very difficult day for those who knew him. They couldn't understand why an innocent man like him would be arrested and sentenced to death.

He was nailed to the cross between two thieves who deserved to die but did not defend himself.

He took his last breath and said, "It is finished" (tetelestai). [John 19:30]

However, things did not end there. The sore thorn in man's flesh—the power of death—had to be removed.

So when he rose from death, he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men. [Ephesians 4 verse 8]

EVERYTHING spoken by God was enacted in the physical.

So God made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

The living Christ did everything for us.

Bringing it Together

JESUS consumed the cup of wrath, restored the broken access between man and God, and reconciled us to God.

Now, you can live a finished life because God can raise anything that you have killed—including yourself.

Happy Easter.