Displaying the Finished Work

Read: John 19:30; Romans 8:1

A few months ago, I was searching for something in the spare room's closet. I don't remember what it was, but I know what I found nestled there. Two paintings. One finished and the other one only partially completed. They were oil paintings that my husband worked on decades ago before his eyesight worsened due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. I had completely forgotten that he had finished a scenery painting using some techniques he had learned from Bob Ross, the happy little trees guy. My brother-in-law was kind enough to fashion a frame for me, and the painting is now displayed where it can be seen and appreciated. Especially by me since I love the one who painted the picture.

There is something satisfying and beautiful about a task that is finished. Putting the finishing touches on any work causes us to stand back with a good feeling of having accomplished something. We like to tie up loose ends, and no one has ever finished something as completely as Jesus did! Even though on that Friday so long ago, it surely must have not seemed that anything was finished, except perhaps the hopes and dreams of those who loved Jesus. They must have seemed to have been shattered beyond repair.

I love the word Jesus shouted. A cry of victory. Not what would have been expected. The word in English means it is finished. It was used to speak of a debt that was wholly satisfied. Perhaps what we might say when the mortgage is finally paid off or when a seemingly insurmountable bill has finally been wiped out.

That was the case with the sin debt which was borne that day by Jesus. Our sins. Past, present and future were completely paid for on that day and proven to have been eradicated when Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave, 1 John 2:1-2.

Talk about completed work. Imagine it. We who belong to Jesus will never receive any punishment for our sin. Because Jesus Himself experienced the condemnation that should have been ours. There is no trace of guilt or shame clinging to us because of Jesus' finished work, Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33-34. In fact, there is nothing we can do to earn more of Jesus' love. We are wholly loved when we receive His finished work on our behalf. Because this is true, knowing that we are supremely loved by the Savior causes us to want to learn more about Him and what actions and attitudes please Him, Micah 6:8; Ephesians 5:8-10.

Back to the painting on my wall. It reminds me of my husband's love of God's beauty. God's beautiful creation. What about us? We also display something about our God. We are pictures of His beauty. Not necessarily physically speaking but the beauty of His grace. We are portraits of His finished work. Because of Him we are free of even the slightest stain or spot of sin. We are display cases of His seeking love, Luke 19:10. Even though we often still sin, God's grace continually cleanses us and helps us get up again with the desire to grow and become more and more like the One we love. All because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19.

Lord, Because of Your finished work alone, we can know the joy of hearing You say "well done."