When combined the four gospel accounts about the crucifixion of Jesus give the complete record. The individual records are part of the whole as any eye- witness testimony would be.  One of the last statements of Jesus is recorded only by John.

John 19:²⁸ After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

²⁹ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

³⁰ When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

‘It is finished’ is the translation of the Greek accounting word ‘tetelestai’, which literally means “paid in full”. Nothing remains to be paid. The debt is satisfied.

What debt? The debt you and I owed to God, our Creator.

Romans 3:¹⁹ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

The reason for John’s record is given in chapter 20:²⁸And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

²⁹ Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

³⁰ And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

³¹ But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

There remains nothing for you and me to pay. When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He forgives all your sins (past, present and future) and marks your debt “PAID IN FULL” because He already paid it for you. He makes you free from the sin debt and the penalty of sin.

This is what Jesus says in John 8:³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

It is Finished-Bill & Gloria Gaither

There’s a line that is drawn through the ages-On that line stands an old rugged cross
On that cross, a battle is raging-For the gain of man’s soul or it’s loss
On one side, march the forces of evil-All the demons, all the devils of hell
On the other, the angels of glory-And they meet on Golgotha’s hill
The earth shakes with the force of the conflict-And the sun refuses to shine
For there hangs God’s son, in the balance -And then through the darkness He cries

Chorus

It is finished, the battle is over-It is finished, there’ll be no more war
It is finished, the end of the conflict -It is finished and Jesus is Lord

Yet in my heart, the battle was still raging Not all prisoners of war had come home
These were battlefields of my own making I didn’t know that the war had been won
Oh, but then I heard the King of the Ages had fought all the battles for me
And that victory was mine for the claiming And now praise His name, I am free.

Questions for Reflection

1) What difference does it make to you that Jesus took your place and paid your debt?

2) What are some ways you can thank Him?

3) How can you fully appropriate the benefits of your forgiveness and now your close relationship with God your Creator in your daily activities?

Hebrews 12:¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you with an everlasting, unconditional love; has uniquely designed   and created only one you; has a good plan for your life; runs with you; and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run being yoked to Emmanuel!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with your focus on His mission: to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when together you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti