6th Word on the Cross by Jesus - 36th day in the lent

 “It is finished”

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”  A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30

The Lord Jesus Christ knowing that all was finished said this Word, “It is finished.” What are the things He finished on earth? He fulfilled His Father’s will in everything.
I. Jesus finished fulfilling His Father’s will:

• Jesus fulfilled his father’s will in birth:

‘  For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when; Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;…Then I said, “Behold I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.”  Hebrews 10:4-7 God so loved the world that He sent His one and only Son to this World.

• Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will in his youth:

When he was 12 years old he went with his parents to Jerusalem and stayed there and was sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions in the Temple. After 3 days they found him in the temple. When asked he said, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” Luke 2:49

• Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will in the ministry:

 Jesus met a lady in Samaria near Jacob’s well and was talking and revealing himself to her. She accepted the Messiah and led the village to Jesus. During the time disciples were urging him to eat, Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” John 4:34 Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will throughout his life on earth.

• Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will in his prayer life:

Jesus had a very close relationship with his Father. He spent many hours in the early mornings, throughout the night in the mountains and deserts. He would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:16 In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed for his Father’s will. And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Luke 26:39

• Jesus fulfilled his Father’s will in his death:

‘He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.’ Hebrews 7:27 Jesus gave himself as an offering to save the whole world and thus fulfilled the will of his Father.
Let us search our hearts to see if we are fulfilling the will of our Lord and savior in our lives? How to find the will of God in our lives? a) Wait on the Lord: spend more time with Him in prayer and meditating His Word. Wait patiently to know His will. Do not run before Him, try to follow Him. ‘Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;’ Psalm 37:7 b) Renew your mind: ‘Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.’ Hebrews 12:2 His will is always good, acceptable and perfect. To know God’s will for us, our mind should be renewed.
II .Jesus revealed (showed) the Father in his life:

            Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? John 14:8 &9 Jesus showed his Father in his life on earth. The characteristic of God was seen in Jesus’ life when he was on earth. ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love .He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.’ Psalms 103:8,9 Jesus revealed all these qualities and set an example for us to follow. ‘Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.’ I John2:6 We must have a close relationship with our Lord. Our relationship must be right, living and continuous one. Can the world see JESUS in us?
III Jesus glorified the Father in his life:

“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” John 17:4 Jesus glorified the father in everything and finished the work that He gave him to do. The paralyzed man who was healed in Luke 5, rose up before all the people, picked up his bed and went home glorifying God. Those who saw this miracle were amazed and glorified God. When the people saw the miracle of Jesus raising the dead man, Bible says that fear seized them all and they glorified God. We have to glorify the Lord in everything and by seeing our life others have to glorify God. ‘I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, Philippians 4:10 We have to be filled with the power of His resurrection. The Holy Spirit will lead us. ‘I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.’ Psalm 32:8

‘…for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.’ I Corinthians 6:20 Jesus Christ has bought us with His own blood and so we have to glorify God. ‘Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.’ Philippians 2:14-16 we have to shine for Jesus. When we do God’s will, show Jesus in our lives and glorify Him in whatever we do, we can say along with Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” II Tim 4:7

MEMORY VERSE:
மத்தேயு 5:16.
இவ்விதமாய், மனுஷர் உங்கள் நற்கிரியைகளைக்கண்டு, பரலோகத்திலிருக்கிற உங்கள் பிதாவை மகிமைப்படுத்தும்படி, உங்கள் வெளிச்சம் அவர்கள் முன்பாகப் பிரகாசிக்கக்கடவது.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

 Shared by: Sister Sheila Bose

                                                                                                                                            3-31-2015