"It Is Finished!"

There are a lot of famous phrases, some cliched, still others with profound wisdom and prophetic implications, that have been uttered throughout history.  John F. Kennedy's, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."  Neil Armstrong, probably America's most famous astronaut uttered the historic phrase from the moon, "That's one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind."  Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg address began, "Four score and seven years ago..."  Patrick Henry, one of America's most passionate founding fathers and orators shook his fist in the eye of England's King George and yelled, "Give me liberty or give me death!"  Japan's Admiral Yamamoto stated rather prophetically to his celebrating staff of officers after Japan's devastating attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 said, " I am afraid all we've done is awoken a sleeping giant."  Martin Luther King's speech on the Mall In Washington D.C. began with this familiar phrase, "I have a dream..."
  All of us can recall our favorites that have seared our memories and touched our hearts with endearment for the cause at hand and the brave fights waged by ordinary people made extraordinary in their brief moment in history.  Certainly, when debating their impact, it would seem to emphasize the fact that their importance at that particular time period when ours and other countries were at critical crossroads in history was enormous.  Be it known however, that a lifetime of noble work and achievement is fine for the chronicles of history books but their words would forever capture us and seal their larger than life status and immortality through time!  But all the monumental catch phrases and inspirational quotes pale in comparison to the three words uttered over 2000 years ago on a rugged cross in Calvary.  In unspeakable agony, beaten mercilessly and nailed to a crucifixion cross, a carpenter from Nazareth shouted the words that would shatter the bounds of time and limits of mortality for us all.   "It is finished!"  John 19:30 in the Greek language translates the phrase to "Tellestai!" and no single sentence ever spoken has had the immeasurable timeless impact like this one.  Almost all well known famous quotes are linked primarily to a specific time and place or events.  But this one short deliberate statement cuts through every single circumstance or event that's ever happened here on earth.  It unequivocally, interprets one way and one way only.  At that moment as Christ's life was leaving His battered body, His mind was clear and His mission was about to be completed!  God's Holy plan of redemption through the sacrifice of His only beloved Son had sent shock waves through the universe!  Hallelujah, the price had been paid, albeit at great cost to both the Heavenly father and His Son.  Yet today, a significant and growing number of people when hearing this greatest assemblance of words, this short seemingly meaningless sentence, cannot place it.  Here we have the single greatest historic and spiritual moment in recorded history and it's often relegated to a back of the book presence in today's Easter Bunny, chocolate egg, superfluous world.  Let alone preached about in many of our watered down churches.  Yet the powerful impact is still there!  Millions of us walk around today completely unaware of the fact that the life given on Golgotha that first Good Friday then resurrected on the first Easter Sunday, paid it all!  All! 
  We can rest assured knowing that Jesus never did it for publicity or fame.  He craved neither!  He never did it for sympathy or self martyrdom.  He died for you and me because He loved us so much that He knew that their was no other way to reconcile our lost and fallen nature to His!  No way to heal our brokenness, remove our bondage.  Consequently, His marvelous and glorious resurrection confirms and gives hope to the lost and hopeless today.  I am changed because of His sacrifice for me.  I love Him and try to honor Him in my life.  I am encouraged by the glorious reunion and restoration that is to be at His second coming.  So in the midst of Easter brunch, little ones gorging on candy, family dinner and fellowship give Him your thanks and heart for the three greatest words ever spoken!  Our Lord is an all loving and all inclusive God and this promise is meant for every color, creed, religion or belief.  May God bless you all and keep you this Holy and Happy Easter!

John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.