The Sixth Word

John 19.30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, It is finished. And he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. It is finished. Jesus said these words with conviction.

During Jesus' time on earth, he had fulfilled over 300 prophecies. There were prophecies about how he would come, what his life would be like, what he would do, and how he would die and rise again.

God laid out the plan starting from the beginning in Genesis 3.15, years before he sent his Son. Jesus was sent to earth by his Father for you and for me.

He was sent because we, by ourselves, could not have a relationship with God because of our sinful nature. Jesus came as a baby, not born with the pomp and ceremony of royalty, but born in a manger.

And Isaiah 7.14 tells us he would be born of a young virgin girl. Also Isaiah tells us he led a life among common people and was considered common.

Jesus' purpose for coming was for everyone.

Jesus' purpose for coming was for everyone.

Jesus' purpose for coming was for everyone. Jesus' purpose for coming was for everyone. Jesus' purpose for coming was for everyone. But in God's eyes, we are all equal, all unable to save ourselves, and he died for each one of us.

Jesus willingly came for you and for me to bridge the gap. He died for us and took the punishment for our sins upon himself. Jesus' purpose for coming was for everyone. Jesus, being perfect and one with the Father, came, suffered, and died for us so we can be with the Father just by accepting him.

Jesus provided a way for us to have open communion with the Father. This, in part, is what he finished. I can relate to the words, it is finished. As some of you know, Andrew and I have been blessed with ten wonderful children.

Going through labor and delivery was a challenge. For my first, I did not know what to expect other than what I had read and heard. I was scared of the unknown.

For the others, now that I had been through labor, the anticipation of labor seemed scarier. I wanted the baby to come, and I was excited to see the new one.

But I did not want to go through labor again. I would pray that God would give me strength and the ability to handle what was ahead of me and keep the baby and I safe. I would have to pray several times that God would take away my fear and anxiety and would give me peace knowing that he was in control.

Once the baby was born, I was relieved, happy, and satisfied that it was finished. Jesus also finished teaching people, especially his disciples, about God.

He was there as an example, a servant for us, and from that we are to follow in his footsteps. Just as he told his disciples to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel.

Jesus, being the King of kings and Lord of lords, was not treated that way. He had those who treated him badly, trying to find a fault with him, and working to find a way to kill him.

Through all of this, Jesus did not get mad and defend himself. Jesus knew who he was and why he was here. He stayed on task and focused to the end. When I was eight years old, I remember praying to God that he would take me out of the abusive household I lived in.

He answered my prayer when I was 15 years old. I was taken out by social services and put into a foster home. The next thing I found out was that I would have to go to court to testify against my father.

That was a very stressful time. I had no idea I would have two different lawyers that my father had hired drilling me with questions and at times yelling at me, trying to prove that I was wrong and my father was right.

God gave me an amazing peace, and I just answered the questions put forth to me to the best of my ability. That calm and peace just seemed to get the lawyers more upset.

I was scared, and I didn't have my parents to support me or encourage me. In fact, they were on the opposite side. After three long days, it was over, and I was glad it was finished.

If I knew what I was going to go through, I don't know if I would have done it. Yet, Jesus knew everything he was going to go through, and he went through with everything.

He knew the ups and the downs, the good times, the hard times. Jesus knew that his father was there for him, and he demonstrates that as we read about his life in the Bible.

We read about the times he takes to pray to be with his father. He asked for help along the way, and he finished the task that God gave him to do.

Thank you, Jesus. Is your task to learn more about Jesus and accept him and what he did for you on the cross? If so, continue moving forward to finish it.

For those of us who know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, as Paul said in Hebrew, let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely.

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Please stand for a moment of prayer. Lord, we ask that you would make us disciples of Jesus, gripped by the gospel, learning to live for your glory.

Father, as we are gripped by the gospel, help us to do hard things. Father, you know we don't like doing hard things, or we like to turn from them.

And sometimes, Father, we confess before you that when we are facing a very hard thing, or in the midst of it, we almost feel as if you have punished us in some way. Father, at times like that, and maybe some of us, Father, are going through that right this time, we ask that you would grip us with the gospel, that you would help us to think about Jesus.

And as we think about Jesus, Father, help us to do those hard things, to maybe to speak out against that injustice, to deal with that pain, to confront an abuser, to, well, Father, whatever it is, you know the hard things that we have faced, are facing, and will face.

Thank you that we do not have to face them alone, that we can face them with Jesus, that your Holy Spirit will help us. So grip us with the gospel.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Amen.