Apr 21: Weekly Reading- Jesus on the Cross: “It is finished.”; The Forgiving & Insight Post by Kim Feld
Weekly Reading: John 19:30, Matthew 27:45-50, Mark 15:33-37
Monday Reflection
The Completion of Jesus’ Mission: When Jesus says, “It is finished”, He declares that His mission to redeem humanity has been accomplished. His death on the cross completed the work of salvation, opening the way for humanity to be reconciled to God. This shows that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient to cover all sin, and nothing more is needed for salvation.
Monday Verse
For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14 (NLT)
Monday Questions
Do I trust fully in the finished work of Jesus for my salvation, or do I feel the need to earn God’s favor through my own efforts? In what ways can I deepen my understanding of His grace and the sufficiency of His sacrifice in my life?
Monday Insight Post
by Kim Feld
I find no more powerful words in Scripture than “It is finished.” Jesus had an enormous mission to accomplish, and I am so grateful He completed it. His death and resurrection made a way to bridge the gap between my sin and a Holy God. If you have accepted the gift Jesus offers, the same is true for you. We would be utterly lost if Jesus had not finished His rescue mission.
We had a beautiful Good Friday service at New Hope on Friday evening. The music, readings, Rusty’s message, and sharing the Lord’s Supper together allowed me to reflect on the incredible price that Jesus paid for me because He wanted me to know Him.
Jesus didn’t say, “It is finished if….” We can add or bring nothing to the table except ourselves. He chose us, and He only wants us.
Please join me today in reflecting on these words from Isaiah 53 about Jesus. We celebrate Easter once a year, but its message should live in our hearts every day.
Who has believed our message?
To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?
2 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot,
like a root in dry ground.
There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.
3 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.
Isaiah 53:1-6 NLT
Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach
New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org