Monday, April 21, 2025

“It Is Finished” Is the Beginning

 

Only God could establish Feasts 1,500 years in advance to be Divinely timed with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

It's a documented historical fact that Jesus died on a Roman cross as The Passover Lamb on Passover Day around 3:00 in the afternoon; the time the Passover lambs were being slain.

He lay buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread symbolizing His sinless body.

He rose on the Feast of First Fruits. Leading the way for all who follow Him to also be resurrected to Eternal Life

1 Corinthians 15:20-21, But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.

We’ve followed the chronology of the last week of Christ. Starting with the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday, to the Donkey Ride to the Empty Tomb.

Today as we follow Jesus from His last breath on the cross through Resurrection Day, we will see how “It is finished” is just the beginning.  

What happened when He died?

What was Jesus doing while His body lay in the tomb?

What did He do His first day out of the grave?

What we’re looking at is Truth. Highly documented, historically accurate Truth.

The Life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is documented with undeniable proofs above and beyond any other person in HIStory.

Not just in the Bible, but by secular historians as well.

What we’re looking at is Truth.

Let’s go back about 1,993 years to AD 32, in Jerusalem, on Passover.

The city is overflowing with visitors there to celebrate Passover.

The sounds and smells of lambs are everywhere.

It’s only three o’clock in the afternoon but it’s been dark as night for about three hours. Matt. 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44.

Jesus, and two others are hanging on Roman crosses.

Just when the little spotless Passover lambs are about to be slain, Jesus cries out for the whole world to hear, Tetelestai, (John 19:30).

Meaning, it is finished.

Making a statement that only He understood. The debt of sin is paid in full. There’s no more need for sacrifices. I AM your Passover Lamb.

And then, for His Father to hear, He said, Into Thy hands I commit My Spirit. Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46.

51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; (like they ripped Jesus flesh with their whips) and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!Matthew 27:51-54

The veil? What’s that? Why’d it rip in two?

The veil in the temple was huge. Made of blue, purple and scarlet finely twisted linen cords. Reportedly it was about 4” thick 30’ wide by 60’ high. Herod increased the original height from 45’ to 60’ (30 cubits to 40. A cubit is about 18”).

Behind the veil was the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant sat, and the Presence of God dwelt.

Only the high priest was permitted behind the veil once a year (Exodus 30:10; Hebrews 9:7) to go before God and make atonement for their sins (Leviticus 16).

The veil represented the divorce decree separating God and man, because of sin.

Isaiah 59:1-2, Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.

But now, the moment God’s been waiting for finally arrives. He rips that despised divorce decree asunder.  

Now, because Jesus paid it all with His own innocent blood, He declares null and void the eviction notice written way back in the Garden of Eden.

Now He says, come. The veil's gone, the door's open, come as you are, no need to bring lambs, and sacrifices, the debt’s been paid, don't be afraid, come...

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28.

Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18.

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. 22:17.

At that moment, God moved out of the temple, because He wanted to move back in with you. He never wanted to dwell in a temple made of stone, but one of flesh and bone.

If you are Christ’s you’re bought with a price, you’re not your own, but a temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, honor God with, in and through, your body. 1 Cor. 6:19-20.

God was done with the temple religious system. It was left desolate and destroyed (AD 70) with not one stone upon another just as Jesus prophesied. Luke 13:35, 19:43-44.

In AD 70 the Romans used olive oil to ignite the temple, it burned so hot that it melted the gold into the cracks of the stones. The soldiers tore up the stones to dig out gold; leaving not one stone upon another.

Under that old religious system, the only way to the Holy of Holies was through the veil.

Now, the only way to the Father is through Jesus.

 I AM, the Way, the Truth, the Life, no one comes to the Father, but by Me. John 14:6.

You see, all the Old Testament Law, prophets, religious rituals, were a shadow of better things to come.

Jesus is the substance to the shadow.

Paradise.

Okay back to our chronology.

The veil is rent, the darkness is fading, the earthquake has settled, but what about the Creator of Life?

What’s Jesus doing?

Surely, He’s not just, dead until Resurrection Day, is He?

No, not at all.

The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible and Jesus told His new friend, the thief on the cross, today, you’ll be with Me, in Paradise.” Luke 23:43.

His body died. He didn’t.

Same as you. You’ll never die. Your body will.

Unless it’s “caught up” before then. 1 Thessalonians 4:17, 1 Cor. 15:51-52.

So, that day when Jesus died, He went to paradise, so did His new friend.

Where’s Paradise?

Paradise is used three times in the New Testament. The other two clearly refer to heaven. 2 Cor. 12:4, Rev. 2:7.

So, they were in heaven?

Maybe.  

Jesus told of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

This is a true story. He does not say, the kingdom of heaven is like, or any language indicating the story is a parable.

This is an actual True story that really happened.

Luke 16:19-31.
19 “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20 But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21 desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

27 “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29 Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.

Lazarus died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.  The rich man died and went to a terrible tormenting place called Hades. Somehow, from place to place they could see and talk to each other.

Now add to that 1 Peter 3:18-20 which states that when Jesus was put to death in the flesh He went and preached to spirits in prison (under guard, watch, custody).

(Note from https://biblehub.com/greek/5438.htm: In the ancient Greco-Roman world, prisons were not typically used for long-term punishment but rather for holding individuals awaiting trial or execution. Guards were stationed to ensure the security of prisoners. The concept of watchfulness was also significant in Jewish and early Christian thought, emphasizing spiritual alertness and readiness for the coming of the Lord.).

Also add Ephesians 4:8When Jesus ascended on high, He led a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.”

Thus, many believe there was a place, Abraham’s bosom, for the righteous dead to wait for Christ to pay for their Salvation, and then, be led by Him to Heaven.

Now, while acknowledging there are multiple schools of thought, and without spending an hour dissecting all of this, we agree without a doubt that Jesus was very much alive after the death of His body.

Abraham and Lazarus and all the righteous who died before Jesus’ death, may have been waiting for this very moment. So, they could officially accept the preaching of the Passover Lamb and be led by Him in a gift giving procession into their Eternal Heavenly Home, with an open door to the Holy of Holies, the very Presence of God.

As a Christian, no matter your thoughts on those couple verses, we are confident of this one thing, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8.

Then, Sunday morning came, He rose from the grave, and the world was never the same!

Hallelujah! He is risen!

Then, for the next forty days He got busy visiting folks. We’ll just look at Resurrection Day.

Five Resurrection Day appearances

1)    Mary Magdalene, John 20:11-17.

2)    Other women, Matthew 28:9-10.

3)    Two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Luke 24:13-16.

4)    Peter, Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5.

5)    Ten disciples (minus Judas and Thomas), John 20:19-24.

1)    Mary Magdalene, John 20:11-17.

Mary was early and in a hurry. She headed to the tomb while it was still dark. She was first to notice the stone was rolled. She told the disciples. They came and looked and left.

She stayed. Weeping. Who’s forgiven much, loves much.

Jesus looks for the saddest person in the room, sits down beside them, hugs them, carries them to the front of the class.

Jesus gave Mary the unmatchable honor of being the first one to see Him after His resurrection.

It just took one word.  Mary

Of all the sermons she’d ever heard, that one word was best of all. That one word, explained everything, made all the difference, for eternity.

Don’t miss the message.

Mary, a woman.

Mary from Magdala, the town of harlots.

Mary, the woman, from the town of harlots, who had been demon possessed.

Mary, the woman Jesus chose for His grand appearance, out of the tomb.

Then, He chose Mary as the first missionary of His resurrection.

“Go tell My brethren.”

This is the first time we hear Jesus call them, brethren. Now that He’s paid in full the penalty of sin and death; the divorce decree that separated them has been torn asunder. Now the family can be reunited, so now, He calls them, brethren.

“I am ascending to My Father.” He entrusts Mary to carry His travel plans to His brethren. 

This triggers the memory of Him saying, He’s going to His Father’s house to prepare a place for them; and then, return to receive them. John 14:1-3.

2)    Other women, Matthew 28:9-10.

Jesus chose to appear first to women.

Back then, the testimony of women wasn’t recognized in the court of law. Yet, Jesus chooses them first to testify of the most important event in HIStory.

Jesus doesn’t operate by the law of man, but the law of Love.

He cares about people.

Not institutions.

3)    Two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Luke 24:13-16.

Finally, Jesus appears to a couple of disciples.

Peter, right?

Nope.

James?

Nope.

John?

Nope. Cleopas, and somebody else, maybe his wife, we don’t know for sure.

Oh? I never would’ve guessed them.

They left town, perhaps throwing in the towel.

Jesus shows up.

They don’t recognize Him.

He asks why they’re so sad, (as if He didn’t know).

They tell Jesus about Jesus. They let Him know they’ve given up hope. We thought He was the One to redeem us, but guess not, He’s dead.

Jesus finds the saddest person in the room, sits by them, hugs them, carries them...  

Then, starting at Moses and all the Prophets Jesus tells them all about Himself from the Scriptures. Luke 24:27. I pray it was recorded so we can watch a replay when we get to heaven.

His words burned within them. He sat with them and took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. Luke 24:30-32.

4)    Peter, Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5.

Finally, Jesus gets around to meeting with one of the big guns.

Later, at the end of John, on the shores of the Galilee, we see and hear an intimate conversation between Jesus and Peter.

But for now, the meeting with Peter isn’t recorded, at all, just a slight mention in passing.

Perhaps Jesus told Peter to get the guys together because, the very next meeting, Peter is together with ten of the original twelve. Thomas is a no show, and Judas of course is gone.

5)    Ten disciples (minus Judas and Thomas), John 20:19-24.

In the evening Jesus makes His final Resurrection Day appearance.

The ten disciples are behind locked doors, hiding, for fear.

But Jesus knows where they’re hiding, and He comes looking.

Just like in the beginning when God came in the cool of the day, looking for those who were afraid, and hiding. Gen. 3:8.

He said, “Peace be with you” and showed them the scars on His hands and side. John 20:20.

He didn’t hide His scars, He exposed them, showed them.

When they saw the scars, they knew it was Him.

Fear and sorrow fled.

The writings of old came alive like front page news.

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:4-6.

Jesus chose to wear, His scars, not in shame, but honor.

Scars may identify us, but they don’t define us.

The only manmade thing in heaven, are the scars we gave Jesus.

He kept them as a badge of honor, of His great, amazing, unending, Love.

We all have scars. Own them, don’t be owned by them.

Jesus said a second time, “Peace to you.” This was more than a greeting it was an impartation.

He was driving home, the newest Truth. For the first time since the fall of man, there could truly be peace between God and man.

Tetelestai. Sin debt, paid in full. Death, defeated.

Without pausing He added, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

In other words: Welcome to the family, now help Me with chores.

His plan is not to do everything for us—but through us.

In a way, we’re back to the beginning when He said, be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, Genesis 1:28.

Only this time it sounds like: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel.” Mark 16:15.

Then, He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22.

He commissioned them, then equipped them with His Holy Spirit.

Speaking of the Holy Spirit, He says in Luke 24:49; Behold, I send the Promise (Holy Spirit) of My Father upon you; but tarry in Jerusalem until you are endued (clothed) with Power from on high.”

Once again, He weaves us back to the beginning.

By breathing on them and saying “Receive the Holy Spirit” we see Him in Eden, breathing the breath of life into Adam, and clothing him from the inside out with His Spirit. Genesis 2:7.

In the beginning God came walking in the cool of the day asking, “Where are you?” Because He knew they were lost, separated from Him. Gen. 3:8-9.

However now, Jesus walks in and twice says, “Peace to you” because finally we’re united again.

Jesus is restoring what Adam lost.

Adam took what hung on the cursed tree and we all became naked, and ashamed.

Jesus became naked and shamed and hung on the cursed tree, so we could be clothed, and unashamed.

Then, Jesus made what seemed to be a puzzling statement.

John 20:23, If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Only God can forgive sins. Period. No pope. No priest. No people. God only. Jesus is God.

Context is king when interpreting Scripture, and this verse must be viewed in context with the prior two verses.

In context with the prior two verses, and the original grammatical structure, this verse is saying:

As we are sent (21As the Father sent Me, I also send you) by the Holy Spirit, (22Receive the Holy Spirit) we will have the honor of leading some to repentance.

Their sins will indeed be forgiven them.

On the other hand, others will reject the Holy Spirit’s offer (through you) to have their sins forgiven.

Their sins will indeed not be forgiven them. Their sins will be retained.

So, when you pray with someone to receive Jesus, you can say with authority, “Your sins have been forgiven.”

On the other hand, if a person rejects Jesus, you can say with authority, “Your sins have not been forgiven.”

We pray for much of the former and none of the latter.

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, You know the heart of every reader. We pray in agreement with You that we all repent, turn to You and accept Your Salvation, that our sins may be forgiven. And when we see You we will hear You say, “Well done.”

We pray not only for our own salvation, but for all those You’ve given us. We ask You to use us, and flow through us, so of all You’ve given us, none are lost.

Thank You, Lord.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

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