Jesus’ famous words from the cross indicate the completion of the plan in place. Easter is meaningful because Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins - there was nothing accidental about it.
“It is finished” - Jesus' final words from the cross as recorded in John. These words indicate that there was a plan in place that had come to completion. Easter is meaningful because Jesus willingly died on the cross for our sins. There was nothing accidental about it. Jesus did it intentionally; he did it according to God’s plan.
Jesus died on the cross for you. His life was not just taken. Jesus did not end up on a cross due to some misstep. Jesus said that no man had the power to take his life; Jesus had to lay it down of his own accord (John 10:18). In fact, the Bible teaches that Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to him on the way to the cross (John 18:4). None of it caught Jesus by surprise.
God wants friendship with people, but our sin gets in the way. So God put a plan into effect; He would send his son to die on the cross for our sin.
God wants friendship with people, but our sin gets in the way. So God put a plan into effect; He would send his son to die on the cross for our sin. Many passages of scripture foretold what would happen to Jesus. Take Psalm 22 for example. It was written centuries before Jesus’ life, yet it included many details about a suffering man that align with the events of Jesus’ crucifixion.
The man in the Psalm was mocked (22:7); the crowd mocked Jesus. The crowd mocked the man in the Psalm by saying, “He trusted on the Lord... let him deliver him (22:8).” The crowd mocked Jesus saying, “He trusted in God, let him deliver him (Matt 27:43).” In the Psalm, they took the man’s clothing and cast lots for them (22:18). The soldiers took Jesus’ clothing and cast lots for them (Matt 27:35). In the Psalm, the man’s bones were out of joint, and his heart “was like wax” (22:14). Crucifixion would tend to pull a victim’s bones out of joint; it would tend to cause a congested heart with fluid buildup.
But if they wanted to discredit Jesus, why would they act out the events in that Psalm? Because they probably never realized the Psalm foretold Jesus’ suffering; they never made the connection. Interestingly, Jesus made the connection for his followers when it was too late for his persecutors to change their actions. From the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt 27:46). The very same words that open Psalm 22!
So... Jesus is God’s plan to have a relationship with you. Jesus completed God’s plan. It is finished! Now it’s time to embrace Jesus.
Pray & Reflect
What will you do about God's plan? Do you want a relationship with the Lord who gave His only Son that you might live? Here's a simple prayer - reach out to God today!
Dear Father, thank you for your plan to have a relationship with me. Thank you that Jesus willingly and intentionally carried out that plan. I am humbled that Jesus would willingly die on the cross for my sin. I want to have a close relationship with you. Help me to reflect on your wonderful plan over this Easter season and help me to embrace Jesus. Amen
Read John's gospel for an account of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. Reflect on the story. What does this "good news" mean for you?