Good Friday

“It is finished.”

Three little words. A simple sentence. . . pronoun, linking verb, predicate adjective.

“It is finished.”

A statement of fact, to be proven or disproven. An uncomplicated concept, easy to understand.

Or is it? What does he mean, "It is finished?"

In purely human terms, we might hear it as relief. Jesus, our omnipotent God, the creator of the universe, lived for more than thirty years among us. A lifetime of unlimited power accepting human limitations (“great cosmic power-- itty bitty living space”); incomparable grace and mercy dealing with misunderstanding and injustice and oppression. And now that life ends through horrific ordeal-- cruel taunting and torture... spikes driven through wrists and ankles, with no drugged wine to lessen the agony... The cup that Jesus had asked be taken from him was not-- and he has drunk it, to the last bitter drop.

Some commentators have called this a statement of triumph. And indication that Jesus had completed all that the Father had sent him to do. And to be sure, he was done... on earth. He showed us how to live, and to learn, and to love... and finally, how to die.

But the work was not yet complete. This was still the final moment of death to come... and then the “descent to the dead,” as the ancient creeds say... and then, at last, resurrection. That glorious moment of restoration and new birth, the conquering moment in which we see confirmed the promise of our own salvation.

We aren’t there yet. Jesus isn’t there yet.

But he’s ready. Ready for the next step. He has done what he came to do, without sin, or compromise, or capitulation... for us. He has committed himself without reservation, wholly and completely, holding nothing back... accepting the worst that sinful pride, and anger, and fear can dish out... for us. He has suffered at our hands, without retribution or vengeance... for us. He has endured all... for us.

And now, he’s ready. To do what no one else can do. To move on... and go to hell, and back... for us.

This is the signal.

It is finished... and so it begins.