Preparing Your Heart for EasterShembull

It Is Finished

Whenever I read the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion, my heart bleeds and emphatically cries, “NO!!” It just isn’t fair! Don’t they know He isn’t guilty and doesn’t deserve to die? Can’t they understand He’s the God who came to save them? So accusations spill out of my judgmental heart. Surely, if I had lived back then, I would have known He was God’s Son!

However, as I continue to read, my heart turns soft. It becomes clear; God’s plan was for the innocent Son of Man and the Son of God to be crucified. Jesus knew at a young age His heavenly purpose: To die a brutal, substitutionary death in payment of the debt disobedience had accrued. Sin had separated God from His creation, but Jesus paid the sin debt to bring restoration: perfection for imperfection. This was God’s plan from the beginning, before the foundation of the world. Eternal life is now available because Jesus suffered and died. Without His sacrifice, the Holy Spirit could not indwell believers, breathing His glory into their emptiness.

Isaiah prophesied in detail about this life-altering event year before it happened:

“He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet He never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal and put in a rich man’s grave. But the Lord’s good plan was to crush and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. He will be satisfied when he sees all that his anguish accomplishes. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins" (Isaiah 53:7-11).

My heart did a 180 from my first reaction to the cross. Not only was Jesus’ sacrifice planned and prophesied, but it was also necessary because of me, my sin; I’m as guilty as those who crucified Him!

My friend, this is for you and me. Jesus’ perfect blood was shed to save us two thousand years ago. His blood still saves today, and tomorrow it will continue and not stop until He returns. This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus!

It is finished; it was enough. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

With tears in my eyes and a fervent heart of gratitude, all I can say is, “Thank you, Jesus.”

Blessings and Love,

Mari Jo Mast & the Help Club for Moms Team