John 19:30

"When Jesus had therefore received the vinegar,
he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head,
and gave up the ghost."

Well, after a long hiatus, I am back doing the weekly devotional. I have decided to change the day to Sunday night, instead of Thursdays. Too many distractions pulled me away and I have been chewing on some things during that time. This is not and excuse by any means, just the truth. With all that said, lets get into it. What exactly was finished? What is "it" referring to? Well, Jesus had just endured about 7 hrs hanging on the cross. This is based on scriptural account from the Gospels. Before that, the punishing, cruel time of being whipped, beat, punched, kicked and more. The "it" that is being described, is the final atoning sacrifice for sin. The once and for all payment for yours and my sin. Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God at times in scripture. In the old testament, a lamb was sacrificed on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, as a payment for the peoples sins. People would confess sins and make right that which may be wrong in their life, and more importantly, with God. Every year this was done. Enter the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He was the promised one that would deliver Israel and be their King. Well, from the new testament we can see, they missed that one. The misinterpreted the scriptures and crucified Him. What they missed is that He was the final, atoning sacrifice for not only them, but all of humanity. Unlike in the old testament, Jesus paid the bill in full. The lambs blood was only a temporary covering for sin, not a final payment. When Jesus uttered these words, our sins, past present and future were paid for. We were ransomed back to God. The wrath of the Father was poured out on Him, so that we may be saved. He got what we deserved. Why though? One word, love. God loves us so much, that He sent His only begotten Son to die for us, that we might have life eternal with Him. The gap between man and God has now been bridged by the pierced, outstretched arms of Christ. All because He loved us and still does. The only thing we have to do is acknowledge Him and what He did for us, accept it and step out from darkness into the light. Well, I hope this week you will think on this and really enter into a new relationship with the one who loves you if you don't already know Him. Or renew an old one and get to know Him afresh.
Bob.