Finished

Remember what Jesus said while on the cross?

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)

He had not removed the yoke Rome had laid on Israel. Similar yokes had been added over the previous centuries, and each one had been exchanged for another – and more would come. The Messiah had not released Israel from bondage. Yet His message would be carried on until it literally spanned the world. What was that message? The same one that went out at Eden, was repeated in Egypt, and reiterated by Jesus:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

Yes, indeed. You will see this in a lot of my blogs. Obviously it’s worth repeating because the concept is written across the Bible. If it’s that important for God to remind us, it is equally important for us to remember it.

I believe I am responsible for what I do and where I do it. I also believe I am accountable to God. Remember what King David said:

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:4 KJV)

David certainly knew guilt, confessing it not only to God but to those around him. Contrition and repentance. Sorrow for the error, and determination not to make that same error again.

Basically, that’s what Jesus suggested we do before our God on a regular basis:

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:7-13 KJV)

The world remains much as it was when our Lord taught His disciples as they walked together. The only schedules then had to do with holy days through the year, and one special day where our Lord’s work was perfectly – finished.

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)

The Greek for “finished” (G5055) was used 26 times in KJV. But “finisher” (G5051) was only used once, in the lead verse.

The KJV translates Strong's G5051 in the following manner: finisher
1. a perfector
2. one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith

Appropriate, isn’t it? The perfect finish to the perfect plan of salvation. Follow what’s laid out and we can join Paul in saying:

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV)