Some of you have asked, initially that is, “What’s up with the countdown?” Well, if you still don’t know, these devotionals and countdown have been dedicated to the coming arrival of my family. Each year my family of four would travel out west to Washington to visit the Wilson clan. And oh is it a clan. We love the people, we love the travelling, we just look forward to Summer. This year, however, is different. Amazingly, we were able to work the opposite. Between school, work, and summer schedules, the entire side of my family is coming out to Michigan for 9 days. And this isn’t just a couple siblings and parents. This is two parents, five siblings, two wives, and two nieces. Yes, you counted eleven people correctly.
Do you have any countdowns? Are you excited for an upcoming trip, wedding, or just time away? Do you think Jesus had a countdown? Over the past few weeks, these devotions have dealt with many of Jesus' teachings. He helped us understand how to deal with life, how to treat our brothers and sisters, how to grow fruit from His vine, and most importantly how to love. But is that really it? Did he teach each us, yet with power and authority, only to help us learn and be enlightened?
Counting down to see my family has been a joy, but why has it been? Do I just get excited about the countdown, just about the thought of them coming? Does anyone only get excited about the thought of a vacation? No. We are more excited about what comes after; it's the beginning of something new. Jesus’ life was dramatic and empowering, but that wasn’t his mission. I believe Jesus had a countdown. Yet, to us, his countdown wouldn’t be one I think any one of us would ever be excited about. Jesus had a countdown to his death. He knew what was coming and, although for a moment he wished it would pass by him, he knew his Father’s will and followed willingly.
I can see someone saying, “Why would he be excited about that?! How could he be excited about this countdown?” I know how you feel; I thought the same thing when this passage came to me. And then I felt Him telling me It’s never been about the countdown. It’s what happens after the countdown. In the last moment of his life, Jesus said, “It is finished.” He bowed his head and gave up his spirit. And with the biggest blow, Jesus conquered sin for an eternity. The enemy’s plan was defeated and the love of Christ was shown in his ultimate sacrifice. He gave us a new life, a life full of hope and a future with him. The curtain has been torn in two and we now can have communion with the Father. He has won. He is victorious. He is the champion.
It’s not just about the story but the life after that he has given us to live free from the bondage of sin.
Thank you, Jesus, for doing this for me.
25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,”27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:25-30
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