John 19: 28-30 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Recently, I paid off a debt, and when I thought of how much more money I have to spend on other things, I smiled and was rather proud of myself. No longer is my money spent before I actually possess it.
In the song, Christ All in All, by Elvina Mable Hall, she declares, “Jesus paid all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, but He washed it white as snow.” It reminds me that the penalty for our sins has been paid in full, meaning we no longer have to hold onto shame and guilt. We repent and ask forgiveness, changing our attitudes and behaviors to match the commands that Jesus made of us in the Beatitudes, so that we live Kingdom-like on earth.
Everything written about the Messiah to come in the writings of the prophets of the Old Testament came true in Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension. He left no stone unturned and fully completed the assignment that the Father gave him. Luke 19:10 states, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” It is so important to read the Old Testament, particularly the prophets, from Isaiah to Malachi.
Yes, Jesus paid it all, but we have a responsibility to honor His sacrifice and courage by emulating His love toward others, seeing the humanity of all people, and not limiting anyone’s access to the love of God. We are still fishers of lost people, and we are still meant to do all for the least of us: the poor, hungry, homeless, and hopeless.
Let us not allow the debt paid to be made in vain. Love God and love your neighbors.
Amen.
Help from Heaven 
Leave a comment