The Last words of Jesus: It is Finished

Have you ever considered the question, "What is God's will for my life?"  That is a serious question!  When I was in college at a Christian school, this was the 'hot topic' for many of the sermons we heard during group Chapel.  Preachers would talk loud and long about how important it was to find and live out God's will for our lives.  There were formulas for success; some made sense, and others seemed silly and even simplistic.  The whole idea was that God's will was some 'plan for our lives,' giving purpose to our existence, leading us to the right job or career, and even to the correct made. The idea that if we followed God's will for our lives, He would bless us and make us happy, and we would have a good life was also always part of the sermon.  Finding and following God's will was essential for the person of faith!  

  

By the time of the crucifixion, Jesus was very concerned about God's will for his life!  He loved God, wanted to please God, and knew God had a 'plan' for his life.  So, he spent much time in prayer and study of the scriptures and served others in need, all in the belief that these were the actions of God.  For Jesus, the will of God was a steady march to the cross, that he might be the sacrifice for the sins of all humanity.  Jesus, somewhere along the way, had discerned God's will for him:  He would live a life totally devoted to God, without sin.  He would be arrested and tried in court, beaten, scourged, and mocked by the crowds.  Finally, he would be crucified as a criminal and, on the cross, bear the cost of all our sins.  He would be the Messiah, the promised savior!

 

Here are a few of his final words that show us that his end on the cross was an act of faith and fully a part of God's plan for him:  Just a couple of minutes before he breathed his last, the scriptures record: "A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth.  When Jesus received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!'  And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit."

           

God's will for Jesus was a call to obedience, self-sacrifice, and suffering.

 

Here are a couple of great truths that might help us in our lives as we seek and find God's will for our own lives:

           

First, God's will may not always be easy or enjoyable!  God may call us to endure difficult circumstances and suffer in some way.  It may be to complete an unpleasant task or be in the presence of people you do not like.  We must remind ourselves that the purpose of God's will is to obey his leadership and complete the task to which we are called.  God's will is not the pursuit of happiness; rather, it is to fulfill God's plan for us; our happiness or fulfillment is merely the result of living out God's will!

           

Another truth is that when we follow God's will, our lives are given a greater purpose than just the concerns of our small circle.  God is concerned with the timeless, eternal values taught in scripture and how humanity is affected when people live by them.  When we live out God's will, the spiritual truths in the scriptures come to life:  lives are saved, cultures are influenced for good, and God is glorified.  It can be a truly miraculous event when God's will is fulfilled!

 

Your best life is experienced when you seek out, find, and live God's will.  It is found as you seek Him in your life and trust what He teaches you in the scriptures!

 

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