By Melissa McLaughlin
It is Finished
The cross fades. The tomb lies empty. The Savior is alive!
Glancing back, we reminisce and then peer ahead with new hope and strength. We remember the final moments of Jesus’ earthly ministry. As He drew His last breath, Jesus groaned, “It is finished.”
It. Is. Finished.
Three small words that echo through eternity. The cry went out. The mission complete. The penalty paid. At crushing cost, Jesus bought us back from the kingdom of darkness.
The King of Kings laid down His life for the people He made, to reconcile them to Himself. He bore our sin and shame, then offered us His mercy and righteousness. The great exchange. The unspeakable gift. Salvation, not by merit, but by grace through faith.
Jesus Isn’t Finished
Jesus said, “It is finished.” But Jesus did not say He was finished.
Three days later He rose up from the grave in all authority, dominion, and victory! Through His death on the cross we receive mercy and forgiveness for our sins. Through His resurrection we receive grace and new life in Christ.
Incredibly, that’s only the beginning.
Blessings for Believers
The work Christ accomplished on the cross is more than just moving us from guilt to innocence. He also moves us from shame to honor. From defiled to clean. From damaged to whole. From lost to found. From darkness to light. From mere mortals to sons and daughters of the Most High God.
Salvation in Christ brings blessing upon blessing, mercy upon mercy, grace upon grace.
And still- Jesus isn’t finished!
In the life of every believer, His indwelling Spirit teaches, corrects, convicts, comforts, counsels, and empowers. As we surrender daily to the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, we go from one degree of glory to the next. Becoming more like Christ bit by bit.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Our Future King
Even that’s not all. In fact, the best is yet to come!
Jesus promised to return for His own and escort them to heaven where they will dwell with Him in glory. Further, He proclaimed His final appearance on earth, where He will bring history to a close. He will eradicate every ounce of evil and take His rightful place as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS in the new heaven and earth!
Jesus isn’t finished yet!
What does this mean for us right now?
Are you in a tough place? A season of difficulty, pain, or sorrow? Take heart my friend. Jesus isn’t finished with you yet!
The cross declared the final word over our sin and shame. It is finished. But Jesus isn’t finished. Lift your head, believer. Remember the cross and the empty tomb. Our Savior is alive. He is living. He is moving. He is active. He is powerful and His plans are unstoppable.
Rest in Christ. Let His Spirit and Word fill you afresh. Fix your gaze on heaven where our Savior sits at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty (Hebrews 8:1).
Let your voice join the chorus of those eagerly awaiting His return. Let us be found faithful. Let us be found praying. Let us be found singing His praises. We have hope, my friend, because…
Jesus isn’t finished yet!
2 Timothy 4:8 – Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Mark 13:26-27 – At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
Other posts you may enjoy:
Why Did God Save Us? by Melissa McLaughlin
Jesus keep me near the cross
Amen, Tom. That’s the best place to be. Near our Savior.
I love this, Melissa. Jesus’ work of redemption is finished, but He is not finished! His work in us continues, the work of sanctification begins at redemption; the blessings of hope and grace multiply and His glory continues to be magnified! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Jesus’ blessings truly multiply in wave after wave of mercy and grace. It’s truly amazing! God bless you, dear Sandra. Thank you for stopping by to share your feedback and insights.
His work here and now continues. God bless.
Yes indeed, Nancy! He is accomplishing great and mighty things in and through us. With even more to come as we await Christ’s return!
I really love this and can’t wait for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ come and get us. In meantime we willingly do work for His Kingdom to preach His gospel for more people to be saved before Jesus return.
Amen Fredrik! We have been so blessed through faith in Christ. He has already done so much for us and in us. As we surrender, He continues to purify us and employ us for His kingdom work until He returns to take us home. What a wonderful God and Savior!
I really love this and can’t wait for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ come and get us. In meantime we willingly do work for His Kingdom to preach His gospel for more people to be saved before Jesus return.
Amen. Jesus is not finished.
May our hope and strength be renewed knowing Jesus isn’t finished yet!
He his not finished with us, amen. And he hasn’t given up on us yet. Loved the message Melissa
Amen, Yvonne! He hasn’t given up on us and He is not finished with us, yet. Thank you, Jesus!
So good and absolutely powerful. Jesus truly is NOT FINISHED. He’s still alove and powerfully at work… through us and through the Spirit, amen and amen.
Jesus is absolutely NOT FINISHED! May we keep in step with Him day by day, as He continues His powerful work through us and through His Spirit. Amen, Jessica!
Melissa, this is so good, such great insight. I’ve never thought about the difference between it is finished, but Jesus isn’t finished. His redemptive work continues on. His truth lives on. And He continues to work out all things for our good as the author and finisher of our faith . Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Jesus’ is alive and is actively accomplishing His purposes through us, through His Spirit, and His church to accomplish His Word. What a mighty God we serve!