Recently
I read about Aron Ralston, a hiker who was trapped alone at the bottom of a
remote canyon. With scant hope of being found and his strength ebbing away, he
had to take drastic measures to save his life. During a moment of excruciating
pain, he shouted in agony and in victory, because he had freed himself and now
had a chance to escape and live.
Those who
witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus saw His hours of agony and heard Him cry out
in a loud voice, “It is finished!” as He gave up His spirit (John 19:30). His
final words from the cross were not a cry of painful defeat but a shout of
triumph, because He had accomplished all that the Father sent Him to do.
When
Jesus died, He shared in what all of us must experience. But far beyond that,
He did what none of us can do. He paid the price for our sins that we might be
forgiven and have eternal life through faith in Him.
“It is
finished!” was the Lord’s shout of victory because now, through Him, we can
escape the power of sin; we can live and be free.
Because
of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we call the day of His death Good Friday.
Jesus
died that we might live. (RBC)
