It Is Finished
By Jeannine
Sawall
“Then Simon
Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths
lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with
the other linen cloths, but folded up in a place by itself.”
John 20:6-8
(ESV)
I always wondered why the writer gave
the small detail about the linen which had been on Jesus’ head being folded up
separately. Then I heard the story of the carpenter’s cloth, and it brought
understanding and blessing. In the first century, a carpenter did not have the
convenience of a cell phone or text message to let the contractor or the next
worker coming to the job know when the work was finished, so a “signature” was
created to indicate it was complete. When the carpenter finished his job, he
would take his carpenter’s cloth, a small square of linen, fold it neatly and
place it over his finished work. This told the next person who saw it, “my work
is finished.”
When Peter came running to the tomb
that Easter Sunday, he saw the linen cloths lying there in a pile, but he also
saw that folded square. He got the message. Jesus was saying to those coming to
the tomb “My work is complete. It is
finished.” When the message registered, Peter’s sorrow was replaced with hope
and he ran to tell the others the good news.
That folded cloth leaves a message
for us as well that lasts long after Easter celebrations are complete. Jesus’
death on the cross, days in the tomb and triumphant resurrection tell us the
work has been completed for all people and for all time. All that is left for
us to do is receive the good news and believe. With Christ’s completed work on
the cross and resurrection, we no longer work toward victory, but from victory. Jesus lives on the victorious side of
the tomb, and offers us that same victorious life through Him!
Because of His victory, we no longer
have a long-distance relationship with our Creator. We can speak to our Father
as our friend; we have become His children. Revel in that fact! Because Jesus finished
the work, we can boldly enter into the Holy Place. Consider that privilege! Because
it is finished, we no longer have to be slaves to sin, live empty lives, or work
toward our salvation. Count the many blessings! While the cost of victory was
dear, Christ paid the price for us. He folded the cloth and left the tomb. His
work is complete. Hallelujah; it is finished!
GOING DEEPER:
1. What areas in your life do you need
to stop working towards victory and accept Christ’s victory?
2. How can you live out Christ’s
finished work?
Further Reading:
Jeannine
is a wife and mother of four active boys. She works in the property management
business. Jeannine is actively involved in ministry to those walking through grief.
