“IT”

Remember those projects you have done, and you wondered if you would ever finish? You worked extremely hard, and often you were worn out physically and mentally by the end of the day. Unfortunately, you knew that when you got up the next morning you would be right back at it again. Then finally, one day, the project was completed, and with a sigh of relief you said, “It is finished.”

Those are the very words Jesus said as he breathed his last. What did he mean when he said, “it is finished”?  He did not mean the “It” was the end of his existence. If that had been the case we would not be looking forward to the glorious celebration of his resurrection tomorrow on Easter Sunday. What was the “It”? Like any project that you finish, “it” for Jesus was his redemptive work on earth. “It” was his obedient act for his Father, which was to die on the cross to save man from his sins. “It” was his love being poured out through suffering as he took our sins upon himself thus separating himself  from his Father. A song our choir sang last night had a very descriptive line which explains so well what happened when Jesus took our sins. It was when “God (Jesus) was estranged from God”. Think about it “God estranged from God”.

“It is finished”, but our salvation began. “It” did not keep Jesus in the grave. “It” became the power of the resurrection. “It” was the work that redeemed you and me. “It” means that because of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, we will live forever if we believe in him. “It” gives us assurance that if we believe in the name of Jesus Christ, though we die, we will live again. The resurrection power becomes ours. “It” had to happen so that the resurrection would occur.  “It” and the resurrection is the reason for celebration on Resurrection Sunday.

If you truly belong to Jesus the only place you should be tomorrow, on Easter Sunday, is with other Christians to join with them in praise and worship of the One who gave his life, his all, to save you from hell.