MARCH 29, 2013
Shout
Of Triumph
Read: John 19:28-37
It is finished! —John 19:30
Recently
I read about Aron Ralston, a hiker who was trapped alone at the
bottom of a
remote canyon. With scant hope of being found and his strength
ebbing away, he
had to take drastic measures to save his life. During a
moment of excruciating
pain, he shouted in agony and in victory, because
he had freed himself and now
had a chance to escape and live.
Those
who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus saw His hours of agony and
heard Him cry
out in a loud voice, “It is finished!” as He gave up His spirit
(John 19:30).
His final words from the cross were not a cry of painful defeat
but a shout of
triumph, because He had accomplished all that the Father
sent Him to do.
When
Jesus died, He shared in what all of us must experience. But far
beyond that,
He did what none of us can do. He paid the price for our sins
that we might be
forgiven and have eternal life through faith in Him.
“It
is finished!” was the Lord’s shout of victory because now, through Him,
we can
escape the power of sin; we can live and be free.
Because
of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we call the day of His death Good Friday.
I have been to the cross where my Savior died,
And all of my life is made new—
In the person of Him I am crucified.
I have been to the cross. Have you?
—Helen Frazee-Bower © 1956 Helen Frazee-Bower
Jesus died that we might live.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
