Introduction
Beloved, tomorrow Wednesday is described by Christians as Ash Wednesday! This year Ash Wednesday falls coincidentally on 14th February with Valentin’s Day! I’m afraid the later will take prominence over the former – Ash Wednesday!
Beloved, how will our world look like without Christ?
Malady
Political songs, intrigues, and campaign lyrics will occupy our ears. Forget that few days time we enter Lenten season beginning tomorrow with Ash Wednesday!
Purpose of the season
Ash Wednesday begins the observance of Lent. Ashes on the forehead is a sign of penitence and reminder that, we too, shall die and therefore need forgiveness from Jesus.
Midweek Service
Many churches will observe Lent by gathering for midweek services. These additional times of worship and gathering around God’s Word help us prepare to observe Holy Week and celebrate Easter.
The Use of Alleluia
During this period of Lent, as in Advent, we do not sing the Gloria in Excelsis or use the Hebrew word Alleluia or “Praise the Lord” in the Divine Service. We do this in order to focus on our need for repentance and faith.
Ministry Accomplished
The work that Jesus Christ came to do (our salvation) was accomplished, fulfilled and finished. There’s nothing more we need to do except to proclaim it continously to the world!
Completed Mission
“It is finished!” Jesus was not a defeatist who saw His mission as a failure. That’s because He didn’t come to lead a successful “cause,” “success” being defined in worldly terms. He didn’t come as just a great prophet, or teacher, a business man or moral example. He didn’t come to lead a rebellion. Jesus tells us why He did come. He says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” This was Jesus’ mission.
Proclamation
So how is that mission to be proclaimed? By the Holy Spirit working through properly and legitimately called servants. “It is finished” is by no means an admission of defeat.
The Jesus we meet in the gospels is not someone who was concerned with His own welfare or with escaping from problems. Jesus came to do the will of His Father, no matter what it took.
Jesus and His Father were one in their desire to accomplish the salvation of the world. For us to have life, real life, and to have it abundantly, Jesus would need to free us from our bondage to sin, Satan, and death. And the only way for that to happen was by Jesus going to the cross.
There, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, lays down His life, for us. In that light, we see the darkness of Calvary. In that light, now we can understand the meaning of Jesus’ words.
“It is finished” was not an admission of defeat. It was not an exhausted sigh of relief. Rather, it is a triumphant shout of victory!
Notice what happened just before Jesus said this word from the cross: “Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’” And then: “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished.”
Now we can hear the words, “It is finished,” as they really are. They are the most glorious words we could hear! Actually, in the biblical text, “It is finished,” is said with just one word. It’s that Greek word, “Tetelestai.” It means that the “telos,” the goal, has been reached. “Mission accomplished,” we might say. “Tetelestai” means that it is finished, completed, accomplished, and that it continues to stand as a completed and accomplished fact, still good today.
In the ancient world, “Tetelestai” was the word you would write across a bill after the last payment has been turned in, much like we would write the words, “Paid in full.” So Jesus has written a giant “PAID IN FULL” over the debt of our sins! He paid the entire bill for us.
Friends, so what is finished now for us? Thankfully, we are finished with any idea that we somehow have to earn. No!
The gospels paint an entirely different picture of Jesus that rules out any work of man to complete His ministry. That’s because He didn’t come to lead a successful “cause,” “success” venture being defined in worldly terms. He didn’t come as just a great prophet, or teacher, or a business man or moral example. He didn’t come to lead a rebellion. Jesus tells us why He did come. He says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” This was Jesus’ mission.
The Jesus we meet in the gospels is not someone who was concerned with His own welfare or with escaping from problems. Jesus came to do the will of His Father, no matter what it took.
Gospel
There the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, lays down His life, for us. In that light, we see the darkness of Calvary.
“It is finished.” Knowing that all He came to do for us was now accomplished, Jesus was ready to announce the completion of His saving mission. So this man Jesus, this real man whose throat and lips were parched after hanging on a cross for six hours, first said, “I thirst.” He requested that drink in order to moisten his mouth, so He could speak out with a full and strong voice. Then, in a loud voice, Jesus gives the victory shout: “It is finished!” With that, He gives up his spirit, saying, “Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit.”
“Tetelestai.” With that one word, Jesus shouts His victory over sin, Satan, and death. “Tetelestai.” “Paid in full.” “It is finished.” “It stands accomplished.”
That’s a good thing, because we couldn’t do it anyway. We’re finished with rationalizing our sin and excusing it away. Instead, we can repent, confess our sins, receive God’s forgiveness, and seek God’s help to do better.
We’re finished with focusing only on self and thinking we need to look out for Number One. Instead, we can serve our neighbor in love. We’re finished with keeping track of our good works. Since Christ has finished the work for us; there’s nothing to add to it. Salvation is a free gift, accomplished on the cross of Calvary.
Application
So, during this Lenten season, and everyday in the Lord, simply trust in Jesus Christ, your Savior, and in His finished work of redemption.
Conclusion
This mighty work has now reached its conclusion. “It is finished.” The goal has been reached. With these words, Jesus shouts His victory over sin, death, and the devil. Christ’s victory–and with it, our victory–now stands accomplished forever as a most glorious fact.
Amen!