Tuesday, April 20th, 2021

Have you ever finished a game? Finished a race? Or finished a test? Do you remember the feeling of releasing that stress, anxiety, and worry that you carried around leading up to it? We all know that feeling, and many of us carry it daily worrying about the ultimate test of our lives. Will we pass? Will we “win” the race? We do not have to live this way, worrying if what we’ve done is too much for forgiveness or what we are doing is enough to earn God’s love. Jesus already finished this work, and in his finished work, we all can find forgiveness, mercy, and redemption. John recounts the final moments of Jesus’ life before resurrection, “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” If you have doubt as to how Jesus’ sacrifice could cover your sin, understand what he meant when he said “it is finished.” It is done. Sin no longer condemns us because Jesus’ work is not still in progress. It is finished. In him, in his sacrifice, and in his blood, the sin we carry, the sin we regret, the sin we feel guilty for, and the sin that would condemn us is finished. Today, if you worry over your past or feel inadequate in the eyes of the Lord, know that through Jesus’ finished work we are all redeemed and loved.

“After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” — John 19:28-30