Friday, 7^th April 2023

Andrews Ampomah 

TOPIC: IT IS FINISHED

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

 

PREPARATORY QUESTION:

1. What did Jesus mean by ‘it is finished?’

 

In no more than three words, the reason why Jesus came into the world was declared completed. The journey to the cross began with unusual and multiple betrayals from his closest disciples. He stood trial in the courts of sinful men who pronounced him guilty. They touched his frame and unleashed pain upon pain on his mortal body. He was unrecognizable and unpleasant to behold. The gates of hell were also unleashed upon him and the devil came against him with everything. It was during these horrible moments that God the Father also turned His face away from him. He who was in the beginning with God, who took on flesh and dwelt amongst men, had at this time (when he made the declaration) brought his three-year mission of setting humanity free to a rather tortuous end.

The declaration meant that the full penalty for sin had been paid (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The sin of Adam and that of ours meant that God was justified to pour his wrath on us. Our efforts, which are our righteousness, being filthy rags before God could not save us. We deserved his wrath and sentence to eternal death. Out of his love for humanity (whom he created in his own image and likeness), he sent his only begotten Son to take on flesh and pay the full penalty for our sins.   “It is finished” meant that we are free from the wrath of God. It meant that the death sentence hanging over us was overturned.  It meant that God was fully appeased and there was therefore no condemnation for us because of Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!

But the declaration also meant that we have been reconciled to God – Romans 5:10.

Our many sins did separate us from God. Nothing we could do could ever patch us up with God.    Our access to our Father was continually denied, we were strangers to the covenant of promise and there was no hope for us in this world (Ephesians 2:12). At the declaration “it is finished”, the curtains that separated the holies from the holy of holies was torn, signifying our access to the Father. We can now boldly go into His presence to receive mercy with no reservations. We who were not a people have become sons of the Most High. Oh! What manner of love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called the sons of God – 1 John 3:1-3.

Like the prodigal son, we have been restored to God. Hallelujah!

Beloved, the death of Christ Jesus on the cross is a total package. His death delivers us from demon possession completely. Jesus’ death gives us hope of eternal life with him in heaven forever. His death gives us the power to overcome sin and any power of the enemy. As we remember his very significant death today, rejoice in the Lord because He handed over salvation freely to us over 2000 years ago. It is in the death of Christ Jesus that we find our expressions in the Father. Live with the confidence and assurance that because Jesus died for you, you are an overcomer. Hallelujah!

 

Call to Salvation: If you have not received salvation yet by turning over your life to Jesus Christ, today is your day. Click here to do so. 

 

 FURTHER READING – Ephesians 1:1-23

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Do you know what it means to be saved?

2. Do you believe, and accepted what Christ has accomplished for you on the cross?

 

CONFESSION

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to pay the penalty of sin in my place. Grant me the consciousness to live with the confidence and assurance that it is truly finished because Christ Jesus now lives in me. Amen

 

 1-Year Bible Reading Plan

 Numbers 24; Numbers 25; Proverbs 17; Ephesians 5; Ephesians 6