April 16, 2022

…[Jesus] said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:30

The completeness with which the Lord Jesus paid our penalty for the breaking of His Holy Law was perfectly described as finished! He entered into His creation as a human, just as human as each of us. As such, He became our Kinsman Redeemer. His work on the earth to free us from the penalty and the power of sin can be trusted. Too often, only half of the story is taught: His death paid the penalty of sin in full, yes! But what about freedom from the power of sin? As our living Example, He showed how to overcome the snares of the devil. He has given us the written Word and also promises to be with us as we face each of Satan’s subtle, crafty tactics. Have I consciously taken hold of that mighty, loving Hand that He holds out to me? Overcoming happens only by staying with Him!

Before sin began its cruel march across the earth, the Creator made a pronouncement about His creation, that indeed it was very good!

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:1-3

At both events (creation and redemption), the word finished is prominent. God rested on the seventh day (stated three times for emphasis) following completion of creation. Jesus rested in the tomb on the Sabbath following His payment of our death penalty. The Creator and Source of life is also the Author of salvation. The righteous requirement of the Lawgiver’s broken law He took upon Himself. He is not only the Lawgiver. In the heavenly court of justice, He is also our Advocate and Judge! He is all these and more, and all because He is love!

Some of the followers of Jesus who were present at His death stayed close. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. And the women who had come with Him from Galilee . . . observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. Luke 23:54-56

Sabbath keeping, instituted before sin, was kept by the Apostolic church and will be continued throughout eternity. Contrary to popular dogma, Scripture contains no command that changes the Sabbath to any other day. We are taught in God’s Word very early that He blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Only the LORD has the power to truly sanctify. The seventh day may appear like the other six as “just another day.” It is an act of faith to believe that it is different! Today, let us be especially thankful that Jesus finished His work of redemption just as He did at creation. And then He rested. He is also the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Beloved, may you in faith take hold of His loving Hand and rest your hope fully on His provision of sanctification for you in all areas of life. HAPPY SABBATH!

“Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.” Ezekiel 20:12

“For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD . . . . it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD. Isaiah 66:23

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8