It Is Finished

March 27, 1959 outline

John 19:28-30 & Luke 23:46

Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, "I thirst!" Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there, and they filled a sponge with sour wine, and put it on hyssop, and put it to his mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished!" And bowing his head, and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, he said, "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit." Having said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

The Roman soldiers gave Jesus sour wine to drink, on a hyssop sponge, to deaden the pain of the Crucifixion. Jesus, knowing that he had complied with every prophecy, was ready when he said, "It is finished!" Immediately he cried in a loud voice, "Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit" and he gave up "his spirit," which refers to the soul’s invisible hold upon the physical body.

These passages describe the two last steps in surrender. Are we finished, or do we cling to the past, demanding love from someone who has already given us our quota of their love? Do we cling to doubts and fears? We can give up anything, once we’ve made up our minds. We do make a stand for the new whenever we grow weary enough of the old to "commit our spirit."

Conversion is not a bubble bath, but means to turn around and start moving in the opposite direction. Repentance is not a vain regret, but an altered viewpoint. Christ’s teachings are not an amendment to pagan creeds. The Christ Truth is a new way of life, the practice of loyalty and obedience.

"I commit my spirit" includes my whole life, my body, my feelings (Desire), my Thinking and my Imagination. When I commit my spirit, life becomes a challenge to do my best. I awaken my soul to stretch upward into the eternal miracle of life, the beauty and joy of life.

I commit myself to Life Eternal here and now, with no more dullness, no more lack. The Power of Silent Places is mine. The past is finished – I am alive. I am resurrected. I am Law fulfilled because I commit myself, my life, my all to Thee, oh Thou Almighty Truth!