Once And For All
When Jesus said it is finished, He was saying your debts have been paid, your penalty has been fully served, and nothing else is needed to be right with God.
“The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done.” Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.”
Exodus 36:5-7
In this beautiful moment, the people so trusted in God, that they had brought all that was needed to complete the work. Moses said to the people. It is finished. The offering has been made and the work will be completed. It is incredible to contrast this moment with the final passage of Jesus saying the same thing on behalf of the price He paid for our salvation.
The question that arises is have you brought all you could to the Lord for the work He wants to do in your life? Have you offered Him all your time, all your talent, all your treasure, and all your heart in response to what He has done for you?
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead."
Psalms 86:4-5, 9-13, 15, 17
Long before Jesus came, David, Jesus distant relative, devoted His heart to God. David knew that salvation could not come in his own strength or by the work that he did, but only by the faithful grace of God. David's response to all God was doing was a heart of gratitude full of praise for God's provision.
Are you willing to sing the same song? Will you ask God to teach you how to rely on His faithfulness and how to live out today with an undivided heart?
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
We were never meant to do life alone. We are stronger together and meant to live with the third strand of the person of the Holy Spirit strengthening us at all times. Is there anywhere in your life where you have gone off on your own, hidden things in your heart, or listened to the lie of the enemy that you are better off alone? Find comfort and strength in turning to God and spending time with others whose faith will help you in your weakness.
“But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail...Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind...I have committed my cause. Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked."
Jeremiah 20:11-13, 18
How much better is it to walk through life without carrying the burden of feeling like you have to fight your battles on your own? God wants you to experience the peace and freedom of knowing that He alone can change outcomes. The challenge is not for us to praise when things are going well, but to have the courage to praise God in the storm. Invite God to examine and probe your heart and mind to reveal anything that keeps you from fulling committing your causes to Him.
“Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face. As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining...When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit...Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.”
John 19:1-3, 6, 17-18, 23, 30, 40-41
Our lives would be better if we took the time every day to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. We often wear crosses, or say we are Christians, but do we take the time to remember what He did for us? God knew there was no way that we could make things right on our own. While we were still sinners, separated and far from Him, prodigals without a map to come home; in those moments, Jesus died for us. Consider the weight of what He did. The pain He endured. The price He paid that He did not owe so that He could say, "It is finished."
The term it is finished means so much more than the job is complete. In Jesus time, the Greek word is "telestai" and it was used for accounting, battles, and in a judicial sense. Jesus was saying so much more than it is done. He was saying I have paid the price for your sin, the debt is paid in full. There was a bill due and I paid it. He was saying the battle has been won. There is a battle for your soul and you will have victory. You can declare victory over the sin that so easily entangles and the enemy of our life. He was saying the judgment that has been passed and the sentence that you owe has been commuted. You are free to go and be free.
With what Jesus did, no other offerings are needed. The work is done, the battle is won, the debt is paid. What will be our response? Let us be like David and respond with hearts fully devoted to the One whose love and life has set us free. Remember all Jesus has done and praise Him for it is finished.