Jesus spoke these words on the cross: "It is finished"

Hebrews 12: 1-2

Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the 'joy' that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

First understand this: It was for the JOY set before him (Christ). This word 'JOY' is Xapa' Transliteration: chara. 'Cheerfulness that is calm delight.'

The Cross. Yes, it was a terrifying moment as lighting flashed and the sky grew dark and a crowd gathered and the demons of hell roared in what they thought was a victory for hell. God the Father had been preparing his only begotten sons' heart since birth for this very hour in time. Through the pain, the suffering the humiliation of the Cross, in the heart of Christ was 'chara,' the JOY set before him, as we see in this verse above. What was this JOY? It was first of all to do the will of the Father and not his own. Second, it was the JOY of the heart of Christ, an 'inward JOY' placed there by the Father, even in the midst of all the pain and suffering of the cross, and all the devil could throw at him there, and the insults hurled at him. Even the midst of the hard cold loneliness at that moment being our 'sacrifice.'

Knowing, that ALL who would come to him, and repent of their sin and turn from it, and confess him as Lord and God and King and Savior, and believe in their heart that God had raised him from the dead, would be saved, born again. Knowing, those who would come into his kingdom of forgiveness, healing, and mercy and love, all by grace through faith in what he has done on that Cross, and through the RESURRECTION from the dead. Knowing, at that moment that 'these' would be the firstfruits, the remnant of God through the work of the cross, and made into the likeness now of God's son, and walk in His righteousness and no longer their own. Knowing this, 'chara' the JOY set before him, Christ, went to the cross, voluntarily laying down his life for these. He did not go to the cross because he was forced to, or felt he owed us something, for we owe him EVERTHING. He went in obedience to the Father, and the 'JOY set before him.' We who have believed on him and made him LORD, are that JOY in his heart. LOVE, was nailed to that cross!

John 19:30

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.


What do you suppose Jesus meant when He said; "It is finished?" Beloved He was saying, in effect; The curtain in the temple, was only a picture of what was happening on the cross. The curtain being, "torn in two," the veil being rent, (that is the flesh). The body of Jesus as a sacrifice opening the way for us to have intimate relationship and fellowship with God. Our sins forgiven and have true life, new life, 'a changed life,' through Christ!

Jesus, making the way for us to come, "directly," now, into the presence of Almighty God. His body, his flesh, torn, opened the way for us to have a new life and oneness with the Father.

You see, we don't have to come to, or through, a man, a preacher or some religious institute or church, because the way has been paved to come directly to God through His Son, "BY THE BLOOD." What He is saying here is this: Because Jesus laid down His life on the altar called, "a cross," because He became the sacrifice for our sin, we now have, "direct access to the throne room of God!" The curtain in the temple that was torn in two, was only a picture of the true curtain, Jesus Christ. Once Jesus was nailed to that cross, and all our sins were placed upon Him, God's wrath came upon His own Son. God's judgment that should have been upon us, was placed on His Son Jesus. The Lamb of God had been slain, the blood had been shed, the sacrifice was now complete.

IT IS ALL GRACE!

Folks the Bible teaches us, if any man be 'in Christ,' then he is walking and living and being led by the Spirit of God not works. Trying to obtain righteousness by and in our own good works, this, counts for nothing in the eyes of God. What counts, is the finished work of Christ on the cross, and the continued walk of faith and trust in the enabling power of His grace to keep us, and to overcome the world the flesh nature and the devil, and walk in God's love. This, is what 'counts' in God's eyes. Love conquers all. It is all grace, and all faith in God's ability, and what he has already done, not ours. Remember, it is "the circumcision of the heart" that matters, and in 'this circumcision' we are made new, and our desires are no longer for the desires of the flesh. Here is true freedom and liberty, NOT legalism (or works or striving).


The Apostle Paul said: Galatians 5:11. "Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, (salvation by works and religious deeds and self-effort) why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished." ( done away with ). Folks, he is saying here, If I am speaking, preaching and teaching, and walking by works of the flesh to obtain God's righteousness, I would NOT be persecuted, but I am teaching and walking in God's grace alone, and those who want to be righteous by self-effort hate this. Their flesh and self- righteousness hate the 'way of the cross' to come and die to all self, and will rebel and persecute those 'who teach obedience to the word of God' and salvation by 'grace alone.' They go as far to call obedience to the word of God "works" and have no true understanding of the 'crucified life.' Obedience to the word of God has been ignored, and 'replaced' by self-effort, Church attendance and works, religious ceremony, and a 'perverted view' of the Gospel of Christ and the true meaning of the Cross of Christ...

Works of the flesh has replaced true freedom and liberty in these people, and they are a law unto themselves, "I don't have to obey the word of God they say, just be a nice person and do good works, show up to a Church service and religious activity, and my duty is done they reason to themselves." Folks, in that case, the 'offense' of the cross has been abolished to them. If these folks are pursuing salvation and deliverance and justification, (that is right standing with God), if this is by works of the flesh, the 'offense' of the cross, which is "come and die to self" and let Christ live through you, has been abolished to them. To abolish, is to "do away with, put an end to." In this case, it is to 'eradicate' the way of the cross in their lives, ignore true sincere obedience to the word of God, and live in your own righteousness, make your own set of rules. May this never be! it is all Jesus. It is all Grace. So, if the true way of the cross, offends you, 'then you will have to save yourself,' and you cannot. "I die daily," said the Apostle Paul, (knowing nothing but Christ and him crucified.)


1 Corinthians 1:18-19

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate



So, what do I do ?

Through Jesus death on the cross and 'His resurrection,' for our HOPE is in Christ's resurrection from the dead, for we have a living Savior, he is alive, he has risen from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of God ever living to make intersession for those who have come to him. (Hebrews 7:25) For all who will come to Jesus, admit they are sinners, repent of their sins, and confess him as their Lord and savior, and believe in their heart God has raised him from the dead. For all who believe there is no other sacrifice, no other source, no other offering (but Jesus Christ) for their sin and salvation, nothing else whatsoever they can do to be saved, no other way to come to the Father except through the Son by grace through faith, 'these' will be born again. Forsaking our fleshly desires and all self-righteousness, and now in the new birth, taking on His righteousness, (righteousness is simply, what is right in God's eyes, His Word, not ours). He is saying to all who come when I call, and trust me by faith, I will live in your heart. You will be delivered from bondage and set free from the controlling power of your sin. Romans chapter 6:6-8. I in you and you in me, you can come into the holy of holies that is my very presence. The veil has been removed. The curtain is torn. IT IS FINISHED! THE LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD!


Beloved, let this encourage you, and lift you up this day, to know that no matter what is going on in your life, no matter what you are going through, no matter what you've done, if you know Christ as 'Lord.' If you have been born again, you have all of Heaven itself now open to you. Don't try to help God out in the energy of your flesh. IT IS FINISHED. ITS ALL JESUS! Amen.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9
⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Romans 10:9-10
⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.



Folks, allow me to help you to know Jesus as your Lord. Let's pray together.

JESUS, I CONFESS YOU ARE LORD AND BELIEVE IN MY HEART GOD RAISED YOU FROM THE DEAD. I COME TO YOU NOW WITH ALL MY HEART. I CONFESS THAT I AM A SINNER. I REPENT OF ALL MY SINS AND ASK YOU TO FORGIVE ME. I ASK THAT YOU SAVE ME, HELP ME, GUIDE ME INTO ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS BY YOUR LOVING HOLY SPIRIT. I RENOUNCE ALL THE WAYS OF THE DEVIL AND HIS LIES. I ASK YOU JESUS TO SAVE ME AND BE LORD OF MY LIFE AND FILL ME AND BAPTIZE ME WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT. THANK YOU, LORD JESUS, FOR SAVING ME, AND WASHING AWAY MY SINS WITH YOUR PRECIOUS BLOOD. HELP ME TO LIVE FOR YOU ALL OF MY LIFE BY YOUR GRACE AND POWER, IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. AMEN!