“When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted His eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.'” – John 17:1-5
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished,’ and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” – John 19:30
It is a good feeling to be finished with something. When you have completed a task that you set out to do there is a sense of satisfaction. When you have washed the last dish, finished mowing the grass or filed the last form, there is a joy that comes from being done.
Jesus was finished. He had accomplished all that He came to do. The Father had sent Him to seek and save the lost…to give them eternal life…to point them to the Father. In the prayer of Jesus in the upper room, just a few hours before the cross, we get a little preview of this feeling as He pours out His heart to the Father. He describes a mission accomplished…even as He contemplates the cross to come…the final piece.
It is appropriate that the light illuminates the sky at that moment when Jesus dies. His death would make all that He has came to do possible. The greatest demonstration of unconditional love ever made brings light not darkness! What seems to be a horrific execution of an innocent man is really a willing sacrifice of a loving Savior! The cross, a symbol of death and pain, has been transformed into a source of hope and new life. This is beautifully described by hymn writer George Bennard;
On a hill far away stood and old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best, fofr a world of lost sinners was slain.
Oh the old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wonderous attraction for me; For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above, to bear it on dark Calvary.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, such a wonderful beauty I see; For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, it’s shame and reproach gladly bear; then He’ll call me some day to my home far away, where His glory forever I’ll share.
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it some day for a crown.
Today, as you wear the cross around your neck or see it atop a church or hold it in your hand…let it bring you a sense of joy and gratitude for it is a precious symbol that reminds us that Jesus finished the work for our salvation on the cross…and the darkness became light!