It Is Finished Scripture Reading – John 19:30 (NLT)

"When Jesus had tasted it, he said, 'It is finished!' Then he bowed his head and released his spirit."

Twelve men answered the call to follow Jesus, and what an exciting understanding they had of what that would encompass. Jesus was their Messiah, the One sent to deliver them. And they watched in awe as the blind could see, the deaf could hear, the lame could walk and even the leper was cleansed at the touch of Jesus. They marveled as the stormy sea was calmed at His word, and the multitudes were fed with basketfuls left over and all from a little boy’s lunch.

But now their understanding was anything but that. After a confusing supper where one of them betrayed Him, and then going to and fleeing the garden, they now were exhausted. Actually all of them ran away except Peter and John. And Jesus in their eyes was crucified, humiliated before everyone. And when He said, 'It is Finished', that was exactly the feelings of their hearts. It's all over - He's dead, He's gone, and in the words of Peter, 'I'm going fishing'.

Yes, the death of Christ Jesus on the cross was cold, and buried He was in a tomb. But that final cry on the cross was not a cry of defeat in any way at all. Rather it was a declaration from the Son to the Father, that He had accomplished everything that He had been sent to do. Salvation is secured! The Sacrifice has been made! The blood of the Lamb was spilled! Now victory can be ours. Yes!....'It Is Finished'! 

Prayer  Father I pray today that You will open the eyes of my understanding, especially in light of the cross that I have been called to daily bear. Thank-You Jesus that You fully accomplished the work of salvation on the cross. 

Memory Verse: Revelation 5:12 (NLT)“And they sang in a mighty chorus: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered - to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing."