It Is Finished! Journey to the Cross Week #4

Over the last few weeks we’ve been on a journey as we’ve moved towards Easter. A journey that culminates this week as we come to stand at the foot of the Cross.

Jesus had entered the city of Jerusalem to the din of wild celebration. But the palm branches had now ceased their waving. The cries of “Hosanna!” died away and silence reigned, the pregnant quiet of a gathering storm. The time had come.

He had shown the world His Father’s heart. He’d reminded them of His holiness, His mercy, and His compassion. He crawled into the gutters of humanity and dried their tears and washed their feet. He’d wrestled with the bitterness of the cup placed before Him and risen from His knees ready to drink it in surrender to the Father’s will.

Now, after only a few short days, the voices that once heralded the coming King, screamed for His violent death.

They forgot Emmanuel. They forgot the One Who had fed them when they were hungry, had opened the blind eyes, made the lame to walk, and raised the dead. The One Who washed their feet. The One Who had shown them the love of their Father. No, on this day, as Eve did in the Garden, they listened instead to the deceitful whisper of the serpent. Caught up in the frenzy of the crowds and goaded by their religious leaders they asked Pilate for the release of a murderer – that Emmanuel might die in his place. “Crucify Him!” they shouted, not realizing that in asking that His blood be on their heads they spoke of what He would do to cover their sin.

Behold the Lamb of God…

Though Friday had dawned with the sun, it was a black day, marred with the darkness of violence. Jesus was mocked and scorned. Cruelly beaten and whipped, punished in our place. His body torn open for us. His Love, His Mercy, His Grace poured out for the crowds as His blood sprinkled the streets until they came to Golgotha – the place of execution. The Lamb of God stood ready to be offered to cover the sins of the world and restore what was broken.

And as the ring of hammer on iron spike rang out across the hill, the final plank to bridge the gap between God and humanity was laid.

beatrice giesbrecht

“It is finished!”

The veil of the Temple separating God and man was torn in two from top to bottom – opening access to all who would come to Him. The earth rolled and trembled it’s agreement. The skies turned black as night and the heavens thundered as pain lanced the heart of God at the death of His beloved Son.

It is finished! The curse of sin is broken and we are covered by His Blood. Our past forgiven.

It is finished! The price is paid, our debt satisfied.

It is finished! The power of sin and death have been defeated.

It is finished! His work is complete. Nothing can be added or taken away.

The Cross is where our “fears are stilled, and strivings cease”.

Jesus endured the torment of separation from His Father to open the way for us to be reunited with Him. The bridge is open! The toll has been paid! The choice to cross now lies with each of us.

This week let’s take time to meditate on “It is finished”, recognizing the all-encompassing work of our Saviour at the Cross. Casting down the shame, laying the burden of our pasts at His feet, and embracing the new life that He has given us. The Cross was the end of our captivity to sin and death. And when we knelt there and let His blood cover us, as the Passover lamb did for the children of Israel, death passed over and a day of freedom and new life dawned. We are forgiven! We are new creations in Him! It is finished! Let’s spend some time in gratitude, thanking Jesus for all that He did for us when He uttered those words. May the Truth of these words echo in your hearts this week.

Until next time…