20^th February

“When Jesus had tasted it, He said, “It is finished!” Then He bowed His head and released His spirit.””

John 19:30

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.¹

Jesus came down from the cross and rose again on the third day. Yet sometimes we live our lives as if Jesus was still hanging there. We resonate with the wonderful song lyrics written above and say, ‘Yes it was MY sin that held Him there.’ We hang onto those words and live our lives, daily nailing Jesus back to the cross saying, ‘Lord, it is my sin that is holding You on the cross!’ BUT, then Jesus says back us, ‘My child, yes it is your sin that nailed me to the cross, but it is finished!! I have good news, I came down from the cross!’ Yes, that’s right. Jesus didn’t stay on the cross. He came down. He is resurrected to have a personal and living relationship with you, free from the chains and guilt and condemnation of your sin. Jesus came down from the cross. We don’t need to keep nailing Him there because it is done, it is finished, it is over. Jesus paid the price for our sins once and for all; for all time, for all of humanity, everywhere. ‘His dying breath has brought me life – BECAUSE I know that it is finished’! Hallelujah!