From my “Vault”-a Good Friday Meditation from 2002: (This one’s for my Christian readers, but if Christianity is not your Practice, you may still find it helpful. Vault posts are from earlier writings/teachings I did from quite a few years ago, but left in my “Vault”, until now.)
A Word of Hope:
32 But after I (Jesus) have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Matt 26:32 (NIV)
A Word of Inspiration:
One Solitary Life
(Jesus) was born in an obscure village, He was the child of a peasant woman. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty years old, and then for three years He traveled around the country, stopping long enough to talk and to listen to people, and help where He could. He never wrote a book, He never had a hit album, He never went to college, He never ran for public office, He never had a family, or owned a house. He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself.
But when He was only thirty-three years old, the tide of public opinion turned against Him, and His friends all rejected Him. When He was arrested, very few wanted anything to do with Him. After the trial, He was executed by the State along with admitted thieves. Only because a generous friend offered his own cemetery plot was there any place to bury Him. This all happened over twenty centuries ago, and yet today He is the leading figure of the human race, the ultimate example of love.
Now it is no exaggeration to say that all the armies that have ever marched, all the navies that have ever set sail, all the rulers that have ever ruled, all the kings that have ever reigned on this earth, all put together have not affected the life of man on Earth like this One Solitary Life…
–Fred Brock
A Word of Reflection:
“Tetelestai!” The words echoed in the still air just outside Jerusalem. In the Spiritual Realm, the shockwave began to sweep across time and space…Jesus Christ had breathed His last…It began with a Roman centurion confessing: “This man was God’s son..”… the Temple curtain was supernaturally torn in two…tombs were opened…dead people came back to life…and Jesus’ body wasn’t even cold yet… (Matt. 27: 50-54) The New Era was already beginning–but few realized it…
Tetelestai is the Greek word for “It is finished,” the last words of Jesus before he gave up His life. (John 19:30) It is very interesting that John chose that word to translate what Jesus said–it is laced with a deeper meaning…
We view the phrase “It is finished” as Jesus saying: “My job’s done..” Indeed that is part of it’s meaning. But there is more…
Tetelestai means “the debt is paid in full”. Back in that time, when a debt was repaid, the “paperwork” for that debt would have written on it: “Tetelestai” which let everyone know your debt was paid. You owed no more. If you had your house as collateral for a loan, and then paid off your debt, tetelestai was actually written on the side of your home–so everyone would know you had paid your debt.
When John has Jesus saying: “Tetelestai!” in his gospel, he is saying to every believer everywhere: “The debt of sin is paid in FULL. You owe nothing. Absolutely nothing.” Let that sink in a minute… Oh of course, many of us believe this, or think it is a very nice idea. But do we know it down deep, in our hearts?
In the Christian Scriptures, there is reference made to a “Book of Life” in heaven. (Phil 4:3, Rev. 3:5, Rev 13:8, Rev. 21:27) This book contains the names of those who are saved. Imagine what a page from this book might look like…
(Your Name) ——-Tetelestai
All your “sins” are PAID for, in FULL. You have no further “payments” required.
All prior debts you thought you had are cancelled, with NO exceptions.
You don’t have to do “stuff” to make God happy.
Proof of this transaction is demonstrated by nails scars and a puncture wound.
–Jesus
Son of God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Alpha & Omega, the Bright & Morning Star.
LET NO ONE TELL YOU ANY DIFFERENTLY.
Happy Easter!
-Eric, the Wordsmith
BP18-V4