It Is Finished!

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”  A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.  When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

—John 19:28-30 (NLT)

My Savior and My Lord,

Thank You for finishing the mission—for completing the work of atonement for the sin of all mankind, for paying the debt for our sins—so that we could find our eternal life in You!

I pray that we all would understand that out of the darkest day of history—the day You were crucified on that cross—came the greatest good ever known to man, as You freely gave up Your life so that we could be free to live eternally with You.

Help us, with solemn reverence, remember that sacrifice today—even as we celebrate the abundant life that it brings to anyone who will choose to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and then surrender their life to Your Lordship.

Help us also to respond to this great love—that You would die for sinners like us—by boldly declaring this Good News for all mankind, to all who will listen.

Thank You for finishing the mission—for completing the work of atonement for the sin of all mankind, for paying the debt for our sins—so that we could find our eternal life in You!

In Your Mighty and Majestic Name, Lord Jesus, Amen.

Let It Be to Me According to Your Word

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God….  Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”

—Luke 1:30, 38a (NKJV)

Sovereign and Loving LORD,

Grant that I would always willingly submit to the plan that You have for me—that I would simply trust and obey—even when I don’t understand the full implications of those things to which You have called me.

Thank You for the favor that You pour out on me every time that You allow me to be a part of Your amazing story of redemption and restoration in the lives of those that You put in my path—and for the blessing that comes upon my life, even through the pain and hardship I might face along that journey.

Help me to take seriously the part You expect me to play—remembering that I am always called to be “on mission” wherever I go, ready to surrender to whatever You ask of me.

Let my sole motivation be to bring Glory to You, as I seek to please You in everything that I think, and say, and do—and as I place my life in the hands of the One who came as a baby to be the Savior of all mankind.

Grant that I would always willingly submit to the plan that You have for me—that I would simply trust and obey—even when I don’t understand the full implications of those things to which You have called me.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.