I was only seven years old when World War II ended, but I remember hearing the drone of hundreds of planes flying over the Netherlands toward Germany during the war’s final days. When those planes later returned to their home base in England, the pilots gratefully made their landings and announced: “Mission accomplished!”
Some years ago I was speaking with an elderly saint in the hospital. Pointing to his hospital room he said, “This is my last room on earth, my next room will be in heaven.” He sounded a lot like the apostle Paul, who wrote, “I have finished the race” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Jesus also used the word “finished,” but he brought its meaning to a higher level than anyone else who has ever lived. The Bible notes that before he uttered, “It is finished,” Jesus knew “that all was now completed.” What was completed? Jesus had earlier prayed to the Father, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). Sin had now been paid for! The sacrifice had been made! Satan was crushed! (See Genesis 3:15.) All was complete! Jesus’ work was finished! Mission accomplished!
Because Jesus finished his work, there is nothing more for you and me to do, except to bow at the foot of the cross and believe that he did this for us. Nothing left but gratitude and praise!
“To God be the glory, great things he has done; so loved he the world that he gave us his Son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin,” that we may live forever with him. Amen.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!