When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:30
He did what He came to do.
Visions of graduates raising their robed arms in the air or swimmers hitting the end of the pool at the end of a race come to mind.
But I’ve always wrestled with thinking I know what exactly Jesus came to do. It’s kind of a big deal, and I’ve always felt like my own salvation was wrapped up in fully understanding the meaning behind this phrase. In reality, there is a mystery surrounding all of scripture, and this passage is no exception.
So, what exactly did Jesus finish? What was accomplished there on the cross?
It sure sounds like a statement of victory, yet Jesus is about to die a criminal’s death between two criminals on a criminal’s cross.
If we go way back to the beginning, when Jesus began his public ministry, we hear John the Baptist declare of Him: “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
That’s what Jesus came to do – to take away sin. It’s so simple.
Except it isn’t. The depth of what Jesus accomplished was symbolized by a surprising and supernatural thing that happened close by, in Jerusalem. The curtain dividing the holy place in the temple, the place where only a high priest could go and only once a year, was torn in two, from top to bottom.
As Jesus’ flesh was torn, the curtain representing the separation between God and man was also torn. The death of our Savior made way for us normal people to have a personal, intimate, open, and joyful relationship with the God who made us.
As we reflect on the symbol of the Cross and Christ’s finished work, we can draw nearer to God.
I like how the early church understood it.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings… (Hebrews 10:19-22)
I pray you and I simply draw near to Jesus during this final weekend of Lent because we CAN!
By Lisa Bond
horizondaily 
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