We have Victory!

At our church on Sunday mornings, we have been looking at the 7 last statements that Jesus made on the cross. One of the ones that we looked at yesterday is found in John 19:30. I would like to share with you my thoughts on this powerful verse.

In John 19:30, we find one of the last phrases that Jesus used just before he died on the cross. He uttered three words: “It is finished.”

I am sure that the crowd around him had different emotions hearing those words. Think about the soldiers. They were probably clapping their hands as if to say, “finally, this man is dying. We can go home to our families.” They would have been ecstatic to hear Jesus utter those words.

How about the Pharisees that were standing nearby? They were probably thinking that they had won the battle and had accomplished what they wanted to keep their religious views "sacred".

And then there is Mary....as a mother what do you think those words meant to her. More than likely, her thought was that Jesus was saying that his life was over, it is finished.

We don't know much about Joseph as he is not mentioned being at the crucifixion, or if he was even still alive at this point. And you are probably wondering why do I even bring him up. But if Joseph would have been there to listen to these 3 words of Jesus, I think they would have taken on a different meaning. Joseph, being a carpenter, would have understood what Jesus was really saying. You see, when a carpenter had a project going, was making something, he would take the utmost care and time to get it exactly right. He would work and work and keep perfecting the piece he was making. When his project was done, he would hold it up and look at it and say "it is finished", meaning, I have finally accomplished what I started out doing. So for a son of a carpenter to say "it is finished", Jesus was really saying, "I have accomplished what I came here for". He became the ultimate sacrifice for us and his ministry on earth was complete. He had brought us back into a right relationship with God. His purpose on earth was complete.....

Thru these 3 little words, we have victory. We have been reunited with God and sin had no more hold over us. Satan had been defeated and Jesus had given us victory.

It is finished equals VICTORY. Let's celebrate that this Friday!