When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost – John 19:30
Here is lesson number six from Jesus on the cross: the most important thing in your life is God’s will for your life; you are not finished until you can say, like Jesus, “it is finished.”
Jesus “gave up the ghost,” or died, according to his own time and pleasure. Unlike us, Jesus’ life was in his own hands. Yet, he refused to depart this world until he had accomplished the purpose for which God had sent him. He endured the cross and cruel mocking until his business here was finished.
The apostle Paul wanted to die. He even said “to die is gain.” But in the end he concluded that “to abide in the flesh [keep on living] is more needful” (Philippians 1:24). Why? Because God was not through with him yet. Paul knew that as long as God had him here at all, then he was here for a purpose.
The perspective changes in Paul’s last letter, as he faces his approaching martyrdom under Nero. Paul confesses, “I am read to be offered” (2 Timothy 4:6). Why? Because, Paul says, “I have finished my course” (7). Not until he had finished all that God had for him was he ready to die.
Whether young or old, rich or poor, happy or sad, the most important thing in your life is God’s will for your life; you are not finished until you can say, like Jesus, “it is finished.”
