HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in JohnSample

It Is Finished!

John may have been the only disciple (and/or gospel writer) physically close enough to the cross at the final moments of Jesus’ life to hear clearly these definitive words of Jesus…”It is finished.” Matthew recorded what Jesus shouted from the cross in Matthew 27:46. Then, in Matthew 27:50, Matthew recorded that Jesus said something else in a loud voice; but, apparently, he was not close enough to hear what was said. Mark only recorded the first loud cry, the same that Matthew recorded in Matthew 27:46. Luke recorded Jesus’ request to the Father for forgiveness for those who were crucifying Him, the conversation with the two thieves, and the words, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” However, John 19:25 says that Jesus’ mother was near the cross as well as “the disciple whom He loved,” which we see repeatedly in John’s gospel that this is the way he referred to himself. Then, in his final act of compassion, Jesus gave his mother to John and likewise gave John to his mother. After having put wine vinegar on a hyssop stalk to touch Jesus’ lips, only those in close proximity could hear Him say, “It is finished.”

What was finished? When sin first entered the Garden of Eden by the choice of Adam and Eve to listen to the voice of the enemy rather than God’s, the relationship between God and man was severed, they were removed from the garden, and subject to the curse of death and destruction. But, God had a plan from before the foundation of the earth to restore that relationship through the obedience of Jesus so that we could again have intimacy with the Father and experience the benefits of being in His kingdom. It was the finished works of Jesus Christ who made this possible for us, and all we have to do is believe! It seems almost too good to be true, but the more we study and learn, the more we understand and can take advantage of this truth. We are incredibly thankful to John, the beloved, for being at the foot of the cross, despite the obvious risks and dangers, so that we too can hear Jesus’ words to us - ”IT IS FINISHED!”

QUESTIONS

1. Do I understand and believe that what Jesus did at the cross was sufficient to restore me to The Father?
2. Do I continue to strive in my own efforts to earn this gift?
3. Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross specifically for you and your sins? Have you asked Him to forgive you of your sins? If you haven’t asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life and to forgive your sins, we want to invite you to do that now.

Pray this simple prayer out loud and in your heart:

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness. I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. I trust you as my Lord and Savior. Please help me to daily surrender to your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, please let us know! We’d love to hear from you! We have an amazing prayer team at HealingStrong that prays for each prayer request. Please email us at: prayerrequest@healingstrong.org

HEAL - God’s Heart for Healing in the Gospels: John was written by Angie McKinney, a volunteer with HealingStrong, a non-profit organization of community groups designed to help those battling cancer and other diseases to rebuild the body, restore the soul, and refresh the spirit. We’re here to walk with you on any healing journey! Find us online at Healingstrong.org.

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