"IT IS FINISHED"
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished; and he bowed his
head, and gave up the ghost." {John 19: 30}
Three simple words, "It is finished", meant more to the world than we could ever realize.
The plan of God for man had been fulfilled as Jesus commended his spirit into the hands of his Father and died for our sins.
He had been obedient to the Father's will even to death upon an old rugged cross.
Crucifixion Day was a day of sorrow, but a day ordained by God from the beginning which would forever remain in the memory of the world.
This day would bring forth the Resurrection and complete God's plan for our salvation. This day was
a good day, for it was meant to provide a way for man to come back to God and
live in covenant relationship as intended before the Fall of man.
We were not there, but all our sins were there. We were not the Roman soldiers who put the
stripes on the back of Jesus. We were not those who ridiculed Jesus and told him if he be 'the
Christ to come down from the cross and "save himself".
But we were still a part of the
crucifixion. We also helped crucify our Lord. Our sins were there that dark day
and they helped nail him to the cross. It was not the nails that held our Savior to the old rugged tree
but it was his unfailing love for you and me. Greater love has never been shown than the love
which our blessed Savior had for us. This love is still the same today as over 2000 years ago.
He is our Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords, Great High Priest and Intercessor.
He is our soon coming King. He is a Great God and is greatly to be praised.
One day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that 'Jesus is Lord' to the glory of God
the Father.
The Day of Crucifixion was not the end of the story, for 'Resurrection Day' was coming.
Just as he promised when he told the crowd 'if they tore down the temple he would raise
it in three days', He arose in victory. They did not
understand he was speaking of his body as the temple of God, that he was "God in the flesh".
The grave could not hold him and on the 3rd day, the stone was rolled away and Jesus came forth in victory.
The empty tomb showed that death could not hold Jesus as he had power over death and the grave.
The risen Savior walked the paths of the Holy land again, and showed the scars in his hands and feet.
The only thing that is said to be in heaven which is made by man is the scars in his
hands and feet. When he looks at these, he sees us for whom he died.
He is alive forevermore and because He is "high and lifted up" he still draws all
men unto Him. He alone has the cure for the sin and evils of this world.
He alone can bring peace to a sin sick soul and restore new life
and happiness to the hopeless. Only Jesus can make one whole.
Only Jesus can give life and keep one in the shelter of his loving arms through all the
storms of this life. The blood shed on Calvary still reaches to the highest mountain
and still flows to the lowest valley. The blood of Jesus will never lose its power to save
deliver, and heal. His blood was righteous blood and paid the price that we might go free.
He is a great God and as the song says, "How Great Thou Art",
He lives forevermore and makes intercession for us. One day he will come again
and receive us that where He is, we may be also. Until that day we will worship and
praise Him as our Resurrected Lord and Savior. Glory to his name today and forever!
Blessings in Christ,
Jo Ann
J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 2002
John 3: 16
HE IS OUR REASON FOR LIVING
It was only an old rugged cross which didn't look like much to the world,
They could see no beauty in the one who hung there in disgrace,
But that old rugged cross stained with his blood for our sins,
Is a wondrous beauty for every tribe, tongue, and race.
The grace which was given is the reason we are living,
The power of the cross keeps on forgiving,
The sins which he bore was the weight of this world for the lost,
Upon his shoulders he carried them..... to be crucified and pay sin's cost.
He is our reason for living......Yes, He is our everything
He is our Lord and Saviour ......the reason our hearts can sing.
The tomb is empty as death could not hold Him in the grave,
He lives and calls all to him.....He alone can forgive and save.
Because He is our Lord and our Risen Savior,
We live each day.....we pray for all to be in his favor,
He brings joy in the morning and speaks peace to all men,
He is our "Redeemer, King of all Kings, and our best friend.
"Great is our Lord and greatly to be praised."
"How Great Thou Art."
Jo Ann Kelly
J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 3/29/2002.
RESURRECTION
Forever in our memory Is the Resurrection story,
Forever will it be remembered and to God we give the glory.
The Cross of Calvary stood on Golgotha's Hill that day,
Where the only Son of God gave his life to take our sins away.
Oh the pain he must have bore as he hung upon that cross,
And the pain he must have suffered as he died for all the lost,
I wasn't there when our Lord suffered...when he hung his head and died,
I wasn't there but all my sins were......when my Lord was crucified.
Darkness fell across the land on the day when our Lord died,
The darkest day this world has known was when He was crucified.
This day was the day which would soon bring forth new light,
For Resurrection Day was promised....Easter morn was just in sight.
Mercy was granted and for me he gave his life,
Grace was amazing as he became the perfect sacrifice.
"It is finished" he cried........ with a voice of victory,
And one thief by his side said, "Lord...remember me."
The Cross on Calvary's Hill on which he bore the curse of sin,
Was God's plan of salvation for all fallen men,
He was born, lived, and died that he might be raised in victory,
And because He rose again...our souls have been set free.
One perfect Lamb who willingly laid down his life,
Only this Lamb of God can take away all sin and strife,
Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse and make one whole,
Only his righteous blood can wash a sinner 'white as snow'.
Because He lives......we can face tomorrow,
Because the tomb is empty.......we have hope in joy or sorrow,
Because He lives......... we have faith in each new day,
And because He's coming back again......we walk in this blessed gospel way.
Jo Ann Kelly
J. P.'s Inspirations (c) 2002
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