He Is Not Finished

As we look forward to celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus, it is important to understand the events that transpired. Certainly, we can see clearly that prophecy was fulfilled with Jesus' crucifixion, burial, resurrection and ascension to sit at the right hand of the Father. But within each of these crucial aspects of our faith, it is important to dig deeper to better understand not only what Jesus did, but why. For instance, the shedding of His blood on the cross was necessary for the remission (forgiveness) of our sins. Jesus resurrection from the tomb is the very foundation of what we believe. Without it, we are practicing a dead religion with no hope of eternal life.

In the 19th chapter of John, Jesus is scourged, beaten and crowned with thorns. He is then nailed to the cross He was made to carry up to Golgotha. His side is pierced and He cries out to His Father asking why He has forsaken Him. And then, as the temple curtain tore in two and Jesus breathed His last few breaths, He uttered these words, it is finished (verse 30). However, He did not say that He was finished. Jesus is still very much at work.

He is still about His Father's business. Just like when He was a young boy preaching in the temple (Luke 2:49), Jesus is still going about His Father's business. He is still performing miracles, saving souls and speaking into the lives of those that are lost. And just like He did for you and me, Jesus continues to transform lives through the authority He has been given by God.

He is still building His church. Too often, we equate church with the physical building we hold corporate worship. While this type of assembly was ordered, directed and encouraged by God it is not the true definition of His church. As believers, we are the church. The bride of Jesus. A body of individuals who have been given the keys to the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19) consisting of preaching the Gospel, forgiveness of sins and establishing spiritual governance aligned with God's Will.

He is still preparing a place and planning a trip (John 14:3). Jesus is still in heaven preparing a specific place for each of us who have received salvation through His blood with the promise of eternal life. And, at the same time, He is planning His return trip to earth. Jesus is returning some day to finish what He and His Father started. Are you prepared?

Pastor Aaron