From the beginning, it was already finished. The plan of God…the characters in the story…the plot of the story…the outcome. It was finished when it started.
Typically, this passage is read during the celebration of the resurrection of christ to highlight the sacrifice of jesus for us. but it’s important to remember that god does not make up his plans on the spot, and the account of jesus’ last moments on earth is very significant in the life of a believer and as a reminder of the completed work of god’s redemption plan. What appears to have been “the” end for those onlookers was really the “BEGINNING!” the manifestation of the redemptive plan of god took the turn it needed to take. the course shifted from waiting and watching and wondering to “let’s do this!” the whole earth entered a new phase in his redemtive plan, and there was nothing the devil could do about it.
The people of god had heard for centuries that the messiah would come and restore the kingdom and land and destroy their enemies. when jesus came at god’s appointed time and performed countless miracles and fulfilled many prophecies, people still wondered if he was the one. Is he the messiah people asked during that time. Jesus did what god sent him to do without letting the distractions of the day get him off course. So when he uttered the words ‘it is finished (John 19:28-30),’ he had completed his assignment, something only he could do, and god’s plan made that turn. There are many accounts in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, luke, john) about what happened next, but the most important theme that is shared in three of the accounts is that the veil of the temple was torn in two. this represented access to god, and with the veil being torn in two, now people would have direct access to god and to reconciliation with god on an individual and personal level. it was a new beginning though the symbolism of what had happened was not immediately understood by everyone. There were other things that happened in those moments after his death – the earth quaked and rocks were split (matthew 27:51), there was darkness for a while (mark 15:33), graves were opened and bodies were raised (Matthew 27:52). From that moment until the third day when he arose, there was uncertainty. I call it that in-between phase of where we had been as people and where we were headed as the redeemed of god. After jesus’ resurrection and he ascended back to heaven, mankind was officially headed in a new direction, a new phase of god’s plan. and the plot twist that no one saw coming before it came was that now gentiles, that is anyone who is not of jewish heritage, would now be included in the conversations of believers, in the teachings of the gospel, in the “spreading” of the gospel. As gentiles We now were grafted into god’s family, his kingdom, his inheritance. (Check out the post grafted into the family as i share what it really means to be a part of god’s family.) What a great gift of a new beginning for all of us! thank you, lord! thank you, father! The ending of one very significant journey and assignment was the beginning for so many.
So, when we think about and talk about the account of christ on the cross, let’s not gloss over his last words spoken before his spirit left this earth. Those words were, and still are, very significant for all of mankind and the whole earth. nothing has needed to be added or revised. jesus’ finish line became mankind’s new beginning.
Scripture References: matthew 27:51-53; mark 15:38; luke 23:44-49
Reflective Journal Prompts
Take this time to reflect and journal using the following prompt questions. This is a time of introspection and communion with god. Feel free to leave a comment on the post but use your own journal to go deeper and capture your thoughts about what is shared in the post.
Q: How do you feel about being included in the redemptive plan of god? What does this actually mean to you as you reflect?
Q: How have you, or do you, honor God for his thinking of you in his plan of salvation for man?
Q: how does it feel to know that christ’s life assignment was complete at the cross and nothing needs to be, or can be, added to it? how do you view your life in light of this truth?
