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. (KJV).

REFLECT:

As Christians, it is assumed that almost, if not every one of us would be familiar with the final words of Jesus on the cross.

They are very popular, and famous in fact, the most powerful words ever spoken in the whole course of history—-“It is finished.” Why would one say that these are ultimately the most powerful words ever spoken in all of history you might ask. This is because these words were the determinant factor that changed the destiny of mankind and all of creation.

These words signified a reset of the entire human race back to the purposes and agenda of God Almighty. In our world today, a buzzword or phrase is going around now termed the great reset. As Christians who are followers of Jesus, this shouldn’t come to us as a surprise, and neither should we be ruffled about the trend. The reason is that whoever thinks that they are the originators of this so-called coinage must know that they have come rather too late.

The greatest reset the world ever witnessed, took place more than two thousand years ago on the Cross of Calvary, and the next glorious reset will be when Jesus comes back again to this earth to finally establish his rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Therefore, there can never be any replica whatsoever of what God has already set in place in Christ Jesus, not now or ever. For it has already been performed and established. Jesus hung on that cross and cried out—-“It is Finished!” Immediately He said those words, He gave up the ghost and died. At that point, there was a Divine exchange and reset of the whole of humanity.

So, what was this Divine exchange and reset? What does it signify? What does this mean for us believers and the rest of the world? This would signify or mean several things and they are as follows:

First, Jesus’ sacrifice and death had finally and completely satisfied and appeased the wrath of God. He had paid the full penalty for sin. (Isaiah 53:11). You see when man fell into sin, he disobeyed and rebelled against God. This very act was profanity and a crime that warranted punishment. The penalty was punishable by death.

However, Jesus agreed to take upon Himself that punishment, because He could not bear to see us—mankind lost forever in eternal damnation and utter darkness. The punishment was His shameful and painful death on the cross; the scene of the great exchange and reset of humans.

There had to be the exchange of life for life. The blood of the righteous Son of God had to be shed for sinful man. With that exchange came a reset of the course of mankind from eternal death to eternal life. From a fallen and dejected state, a state that was meant to separate man from God forever to a place of renewal and acceptance by God our Heavenly Father. (Ephesians 1:5-7).

Secondly, those words signified Jesus’ victory over the power of darkness, and their hold over man and the whole of creation. Which meant that man was set free and at liberty to worship the only true God of heaven and earth—JEHOVAH. Satan now no longer had any claim over man, we were redeemed. Jesus had finally dealt with the curse of sin and death, and every other vice that came with the fall, for example, sickness and disease, poverty, lack, failure, and other such yokes man struggled under. (1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:5).

Thirdly, a new and glorious way was now open and established for man to come to God unhindered. Man or humanity now had direct access to God in Christ Jesus. Matthew 27: 50 – 51, gives us an account of how this great spiritual law played out in the physical: “Jesus when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.” The Rending of the veil in the temple signified that there was no longer any barrier or hindrance between God and man. We now had free access into the presence of God our Heavenly Father.

Fourthly, there was a reset of our identity and status. We went from being the enemies of God to the sons or children of God. We now have full privileges to become bonafide inheritors of the riches of God’s Kingdom.” Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13 KJV).

Last but not the least, we are given the right to be representations of Jesus on the earth. Imagers of God our Heavenly Father. For Jesus told us that when He goes to the Father, and because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we would be empowered to do greater works in His name on the earth. HALLELUJAH!!

For these reasons and many more, we boldly proclaim the finished work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the cross. Who bore the shame and pain that we may know and experience the love, and goodness of His Father- God Almighty. This invitation is for everyone who has come to accept Jesus, it is an open door He presents to all of humanity, that ‘whosoever, accepts the Son shall not perish, but shall have life eternal.’ (John 3: 16). PRAISE THE LORD!

When we realize that all that we need to live a full life as children of God has already been accomplished, we will indeed begin to navigate life with a clearer purpose and intent of who we are in Christ Jesus. IT IS FINISHED!!

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

I Acknowledge The Finished Work Of Jesus.

FATHER GOD, thank You for sending Your Son JESUS to die for me on the cross. I acknowledge all that JESUS did for me. With all my heart, I accept you LORD JESUS. Please come and dwell in my heart. Fill me with Your HOLY SPIRIT and lead me through the adventure of knowing You more and more in the MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS AMEN.