Apr. 11, 2014 

John 19:30

When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished,” and bowed his head and dismissed his spirit.

Today, I’ve been thinking about the phrases Jesus said from the cross: “It is finished.” We often envision Jesus finally resigning to the fact that he is going to die. He musters up just enough energy to finally admit defeat.

I think Jesus had a completely different approach. It was not finally giving in. I believe he said these words of complete victory. It’s a shout of celebration! It’s done! Complete! Enough! Ye-haa! Let the party begin!

It struck me today that Jesus did not say is “I am finished.” IT is finished. No more meetings. No more teachings. No more answering dumb questions. No more trying to outwit the Sanhedrin. No more putting up with people who really don’t want him around. He’s finished with all of it.

So then, what is the purpose of the cross? It’s also enough for us. I hear him telling me and you that he has accomplished everything we need. God gives us everything we need and more. The problem is that most of us spend our lives trying to remove God from having control when all Jesus wants us to do is turn control over to God. We pack our lives with one more thing so we don’t have to deal with turning control over to God. We want to brag that we have one more meeting. We want to be overrun by a too busy schedule. We want others to sympathize with us when we have to say “no” to something that is good.

But hear Jesus’ words again. It is enough. We don’t have to do anymore.

I find this discovery a bit ironic, considering Holy Week is upon me, one of the busiest weeks of the year for a pastor.
Does this mean I get a pass on having to finalize things for the various worship opportunities during Holy Week? Try to explain that to the personal committee who recently told me, in just fun, “No slacking with Sunday service.” Or the person who has an immediate need they want taken care of. Do they want to hear, “Relax. Jesus is enough!”

For this moment, Jesus is enough. Thanks be to God.

Finished. Done. Complete. You overcame it all just for me. Thanks be to God.  Amen and amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

If you have enjoyed this blog, please pass it along to someone else who might also enjoy it.