4-18-2025

Good Morning All,

         John 19:30; “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

    It is now Friday of Holy Week. It is Good Friday. There is much happening. Some will claim that Jesus’ “arrest” occurred after midnight so technically Friday. This may or may not be accurate but in saying it is, it makes Friday fraught with activity. The trials of Jesus, before the Sanhedrin, Pilate, Herod, back to Pilate. The mocking and the scourging leading to the crucifixion of Jesus. The Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows), the crying of the women, the dividing of Jesus’ clothes, the sayings on the cross, the other two criminals, the mocking by the Scribes and Pharisees, Mary at the cross, John at the cross, plus things we did not mention, there is a lot going on. Sometimes, we lose sight of the forest for the trees.

    In our exhaustive look at Friday’s events, our study of crucifixion, the debate about the placement of the nails (hands or wrists), and other items often cause us to miss the most important part, it is finished. Jesus has completed (fulfilled) all that the prophets had spoken of. Jesus has kept the Father’s will. Jesus has taken on all sin and paid its burdensome price. So, in those three words, it is finished, changes everything for us. The whole reason for Jesus coming into this world as a man is answered in those words, the bill is paid. It is somewhat telling in that the Greek word used here is “tetalestai” has a connotation of paying of a debt.

    Even the more accurate translation “it has been finished” has a deeper meaning for us. The use of the present perfect tense (has been) means that something that happened in the past still matters in the present. Jesus’ death to pay the debt still works today. Those sins which we commit today are still forgiven on that cross on that day so long ago. It has been finished so it is finished. The debt is paid, and we are freed. We are freed from the bondage of the Law and to sin. We are freed to be the creature that God created us to be. A creature that loves and worships God; a creature that loves and serves his neighbor.

    So, as we contemplate Friday, don’t lose sight of the truth. Jesus took on death, took on the devil and won. In that victory, we have salvation. Jesus won and so do you! That is our hope! The victory on that cross is our victory, given to us by a loving Savior who gave everything so that we may live. It is on this truth that our full hope is based. A hope that will never fail because it is guaranteed by God himself.

    Our observance of Good Friday is because Jesus changed everything. Our present, our future changed when “it has been finished” was proclaimed loud and clear, in a voice of the One who was and is in control. We mourn death, we solemnly remember the incredible cost of our victory; yet we celebrate the wondrous gift of love that God has for us. Jesus wins and so do you!

Gracious and loving God and Father, on this day so many years ago, you worked my salvation. Help me to always remember, with boundless joy, this wondrous act of love. Move me to respond to this love by loving others through a worshipful life towards you. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret