It Is Finished!

 

~ You Cannot Add Anything! ~ 

Importance  ~  “It is finished” is the seventh and last statement from Jesus Christ while He hung on the Cross.  It is the most important thing that anyone can understand about the critical pivot point in all of human history. 

Common Misconception  ~  There is a widespread underlying assumption, or belief, that in order to get to heaven a certain standard of conduct is required.  But salvation is DONE and what you DO has nothing to do with entrance to heaven. 

Scripture  ~  “Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.  So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’  And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” (John 19:29-30).

Another Misconception  ~  Some believe that the crucifixion caught Jesus by surprise or that He was powerless to stop it.  Nothing could be further from the truth.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

Significance  ~  His destiny was the Cross.  His motivation was love.  His reason was you.

A thousand times in history a baby has become a king to rule a nation.  Only one time has a King become a Baby to save ALL nations. 

Jesus bore the crown of thorns so you could have the crown of life.

The Gospel is the only story where the hero dies for the villain. 

Jesus took all our curses at the Cross, so that we can take all His blessings.  Hallelujah. 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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