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Wednesday Devotional Message

John 19:30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:31   Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. 35 He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. 36 For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”




Grace, Mercy and Peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


One of the best lines I heard this past week was:

"Did you ever imagine you would give so much up for Lent this year?"


We have given up many things already - the privilege of our corporate worship among the most precious. And we are bound to give much more up yet.


However, we will not ever give up as much as our Lord Jesus gave up! What is most amazing is that He gave up everything - even His very life - for we poor sinners!


Our reading above from the Gospel of John records the last words of Jesus from the cross. "It is finished" He said. He gave up His spirit and breathed His last.


The situation in our nation and the world is quite grave, and it seems that it is bound to get much worse. There might be many of us that eventually say: "It is finished!" Our business is bankrupt, our bank account empty, and then there will be some among us who will confess at the last that our earthly lives are finished from the affliction that assails the world.


But what about the words, "It is finished," uttered from the precious lips of our Lord? What does it mean to hear His words echo down through the ages?


Truly they are the words of victory of our Lord. Victory over sin, death, and the devil.


They do most certainly correspond to the sacrificial death of our Lord. They looked, to all standing at the foot of the cross, to be words of defeat.


But the ultimate truth of Jesus' words "It is finished" marked the greatest triumph of all the history of the universe. These words are the very words that mark the BEGINNING of our eternal life! They are beautiful beyond our highest imagination.


The masterpiece of His righteous life and death is "finished!" His precious Life now becomes ours - forever!


Praise be to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!


 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ. I was hoping to have a whole sermon to share with you on video. That did not pan out! The construction of this website basically consumed my day. But perhaps I can share with you a video I recorded with my daughter singing (and I was playing the guitar and sharing devotional images I photographed.) I hope you will enjoy it!








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