A final journey begins...

April 14, 2012

The Life of Jesus; read today: "It is finished."; John 19:30

Weymouth: John 19:30. As soon as Jesus had taken the wine, He said, "It is finished." And then, bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.

I have always read this verse and connected the statement and the giving up of Jesus Spirit as tied to each other.  Another thought came across my mind today.  “It is finished” might not be referring to the death, but to the life that He had to participate in.

They had beat Him, whipped Him, mocked Him, nailed Him to a cross, and as a final insult gave him sour wine to drink as He thirsted.  The time had now come, all prophecy had been fulfilled. It was time to start the final journey.

I have heard many stories about people who have lived long, productive lives.  They die peacefully, with a smile on their faces. They have started on their final journey as well.  Jesus may not have said this in the way I have looked at it for so many years. It may have been a cry of happiness, now that He was on His way to be back with the Father.



Read for next time: Jesus cries out; Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46