ACCOMPLISHED

Good Friday

John 19:30
“It is finished.”
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Jesus' last words, It is finished, express triumph rather than defeat. Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit knowing that the strife was now over and the battle was won. Even on the cross Jesus knew the joy of victory. What the Father sent him into the world to do has now been accomplished. Christ offered himself without blemish to God and He put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

Two-thousand years ago, because of love, He has done His part. And He continues to love us to these days. Are you heeding His call? Are you really finishing what He started?

The "finished work of Christ" avails you nothing if your heart still sins and you have not realized and become conscious of your sinfulness. The "finished work of Christ" avails you nothing unless you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and God and asked for forgiveness from all your sins. It avails you nothing if you still love the world. It avails you nothing unless you are a "new creature" in Him.

Let us pray +

Merciful and everlasting God, behold your family spread before You. We don't know why but, for us, Jesus was willing to be obedient to You, to go to the Cross prepared for Him and to die there. He bore our sins in His own body and they were nailed with Him to the Cross. You spared Him not, Lord. Help us to deeply know within us what it is that Jesus has done for us – dying for our sins, so we will live forever in Your love and glory.

Help us remember it always and to make His Passion a part of us that we will live the redemption we are given and the salvation You have promised. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son.

Amen +

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.