The cry, “It is finished” was the Bondservant reporting to His Master about the status of His assignment, and we can be sure that the father agreed with the Son that the atonement had been made. No sooner did the Son give the final cry than we read in Matthew 27:51, “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…” The way to God was now open. Instead of entry being restricted to the high priest entering the Holy of Holies on only on day in the year, entrance into God’s presence was not available to all who come through Christ. With the barrier of our sin taken away, we can now “draw near… through the blood of Christ.” The proof that this sacrifice was indeed sufficient was that He rose from the grave three days later, as He said He would. If you have never received Christ as you sin bearer, do so right now. The issue before you is not the greatness of your sin BUT the worth of the sacrifice Jesus provided. At the end of the day, it is not how sinful I am, but it is what I … READ MORE

In Old Testament times, the people wondered when the sacrifices would be finished. Those who died in Faith believed that the last payment for their sins was yet to be made. There was an endless stream of sacrifices; these cleansed the people in a ceremonial way, but could not cleanse the conscience. Warren Wiersbe said, “He took my bankruptcy and covered it with His solvency.” He didn’t just make a down payment and then expect me to keep up the installments. On the cross the justice of God was fully satisfied when our heavenly Substitute paid the great price of ransom. This means that my sins are on Jesus, not on me. While there is sin WITHIN me, it is not ON me. My sinful nature keeps luring me toward sin, and even in my best moments my works are tainted with selfish motives. But legally, I am accepted on the basis of the merit of Jesus. Jesus’ cry “It is finished!” is a reminder that the price has been paid, I simply need to receive that gift. How about you, are you willing to trust the validity of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross? … READ MORE

The 6th cry from the cross, “It is FINISHED” signifies that Jesus had finished all that the Father had put before Him. In these words, lies the assurance of our own salvation, the sure knowledge that our personal debt to the Father was paid by another. Even though Jesus had yet to be buried, rise again, and ascend into heaven. The difficult work of suffering, the difficult work of being separated from the presence of His Father, the difficult work of being treated like a sinner was over. Though as His followers we suffer for different reasons and in different ways, we can take heart that our suffering, too, shall someday be done with. Whatever we face today we will one day be able to say, “IT IS FINISHED.” For those who choose to turn to Jesus and accept His suffering to pay the penalty for their sin, will one day find the rest they long for. The question is whether we have endured with the sure knowledge that grief is part of the divine place. We rest in the Divine plan and allow Him to use our lives to bring hope and perspective to others. We must remember that … READ MORE