Finished

When I finish a project that has taken lots of time and effort, I breathe a big sigh of relief. I’m tired, but the sense of accomplishment is invigorating. I can check another thing off my “to do” list and move on. Finishing a book project or recording project is especially exciting. But then I start to worry about whether it’s good enough. Did I do everything just right, or was there more I could have done?

I wonder what Jesus felt like when He said His unparalleled words, “It is finished.” We know He was hurting. That’s an understatement! But after all the suffering, don’t you think He was relieved? He had accomplished what He came to earth to do. To die as a sacrifice for our sins. Noone else could do what He did. He had anticipated the day with horror and sorrow. He endured what was necessary in order to purchase forgiveness and righteousness for us. Now He could move on. How? Why? Because that wasn’t the end of the story.

“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, NIV). Jesus knew that the resurrection, the ascension, the glory was coming. And the writer of Hebrews assures us that anticipating what is to come can be our incentive for enduring whatever is plaguing us today. The preceding verse says: “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Peter also reminded us to look beyond the present. We must look to the past to realize what Christ has done on our behalf. Then look to the future to assure us that all is well because of Him.  Here’s a modern paraphrase of Peter’s words. “Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. ….It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God” (I Peter 1:18-21, the Message).

Jesus died, but He’s not dead. Jesus went away to Heaven, but He’s with us. Jesus is our Savior, but He’s also our Friend and Brother. There are lots of mysteries to ponder at this Easter season. Are your thoughts motivating you to live in His resurrection power? Will you finish well?