It Is Finished

A thousand years before Jesus would die for our sins, His suffering, His death, His journey into the Valley of Death, and His victorious journey into Heaven was all recorded for us in Psalm 22-24, and in detail!

Psalm 22 starts and ends with Jesus’ words on the cross - “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46), and the last verse (31), “declaring to a people yet not born, He has finished it!” (Amp). As God the Father judged the sin that was carried by Jesus, a great separation was felt by Him, and He cried these painful words. He also speaks of the mockery and taunting, “The people say, ‘He believes in God, let God save Him then!’” (Psalm 22:7, 8) (Luke 23:37).

He speaks of being surrounded and taunted by “dogs, lions, and bulls,” representing the Jews, the Roman’s, and the demonic realm (Psalm 22:12-16). Long before crucifixion was even invented, He states, “They pierced My hands and feet,” (Psalm 22:16), and He even gives the details regarding His garments…  “They divide My clothes among them and cast lots for My garment” (Psalm 22:18), (Matthew 27:35).

But in spite of all this torment, He claims, “I will fulfill My vows” (Psalm 22:25), (Matthew 26:39 - Not My will but Thine be done), and the result of that? “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord… they will proclaim His righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn, He has finished it!” (Psalm 22:27-31).

Friends, how blessed we are to have the living Word of God! He fulfilled to the tiniest detail His death for our sins. He knew we would be forever lost without Him and He suffered in our stead that we may have eternal life with Him. May our hearts forever rejoice in the finished work on the cross. It was for us! And it is finished!

(Devotional by Cheryl Hall-Laos)