Lent: Day Thirty-nine

It is overcast and chilly, with a bit of rain now and then; in all, a fitting Good Friday. Today is the saddest, most agonizing day in the history of creation. It is the day that the Son of God bears the burden of sin, taking upon himself the wrath of his Father against the rebellion of man. It is the day that the promise to Eve that her seed would crush the head of the serpent, is fulfilled.

The Last Seven Words of Jesus

Sixth phrase: “It is finished.”

This is the moment, the central moment, the nexus point of all creation. His work, committed to in eternity, is completed within time. Mankind’s sin is consumed, their debt paid, and the hidden mystery at the center of creation is revealed. “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world”, as John will later write (Revelation 13:8), has accomplished his appointed work.

He had tried to tell them, but they did not comprehend. He had said, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit…for this purpose I came to this hour.” The hour is at its end and the purpose has reached its fulfillment.

He has finished the task and is now ready to fall and bring the long awaited to fruition, to bear the fruit of redemption. The power of sin is broken, the sting of death no longer need breed fear, for the balm of Gilead has been spread upon the pain of all mankind, and healing is available to all who seek it.

Yes, and we seek that balm, knowing that whatever Jesus, our Lord and Savior, starts, he finishes; and we are confident of this, that he who began a good work in us will carry it on to final completion.

We look forward in hope, looking to that special day, when it will be our turn to hear the Son of God say also to us, “It is finished.” Then he will address us with the promise of promises.

Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

May God bless you on this day of days and may the blood of Jesus Christ pour over your heart and soul and life, cleansing you from all unrighteousness, granting you life eternal to the glory of God the Father, Jesus Christ his Eternal Son, and the Everlasting and Holy Spirit. Amen.