When we finally know, ‘it is finished’

Have you ever started something and not finished it?

I’ve done that many times in my life, especially when I was in college. It seemed so hard for me to follow an outline when writing a term paper without wanting to revise it just one more time. That is why I have a hard time painting a picture. I always feel there needs to be just one more brush stroke before it’s finished.

I work hard to finish all my household chores, but I seem to always find one more thing that needs to be done before I can say, “It’s finished.”

The quilt I make won’t be finished until the binding is sewn on it. Because it binds all the layers together, that quilt just won’t be finished until that binding is sewn. If you want to know that your project is a job well done, then you must finish it. When it comes to finishing something, I’m always saying, “Wait just a minute and I’ll be finished.”

The old masters have written some beautiful music: concertos, operas, etc. I would probably find myself wanting to add at least one more note or one more measure before I could say, “It’s finished.”

How many times does a writer revise a manuscript before it is finished? My paper shredder is full of unfinished articles. My thoughts want to be written, not tossed around or left out.

It’s really hard to put that last sentence down and say “it’s finished” when my brain wants me to write just a few more words.

Have you finished your breakfast, or do you crave just one more bite before you’re finished? Did you finish the dance before it was time to go home? There seems to be so much left unfinished in our lives today.

We read that among the people who stood at the cross when Jesus was crucified were the women who followed Jesus from Galilee and ministered to his needs. Then at the time of his crucifixion, there they were, still ministering to his needs. From afar, they were praying and supporting him during his hour of greatest need — recalling how he had taught them and prepared them for this time yet hoping for a miracle. They couldn’t leave, because they weren’t finished. They waited, watched and hoped.

There is only one that I know who could ever say in finality, “it is finished,” and that one is Jesus Christ as he hung on the cross. In the 19th chapter of the Gospel of John verse 30 it is written, “So when Jesus had tasted it, He said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and released his spirit.” But, that wasn’t the end.

The miracle for those who witnessed the crucifixion didn’t come until on the third day when he conquered death; he tore his grave clothes off, stomped his feet and said, “I’m outta here!” and rose up out of his grave. He didn’t even bother to fold the grave clothes. The women who were at the cross kept watch, hoping for a miracle, not realizing the resurrection of Christ would be the greatest miracle ever for the whole human race.

Easter has been commercialized and the true meaning demoralized. It is much more than bunnies and jelly beans. March 31 is Easter Sunday, the day when Christians all over the world celebrate the miracle of the resurrection.

It is through his death and resurrection that we have eternal life, and when our life’s journey is over we, too, can say in finality, “It is finished.”