It Is Finished

John 19:30 "When Jesus had tasted it, he said, 'It is finished!' Then he bowed his head and released his spirit."

It is finished... Three small yet powerful words. In that moment all that Jesus had come to earth to accomplish was completed. What does that mean for us today?

It means that Christ has already paid for our healing and freedom.  The work is already done, the price paid. 

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Because the price has already been paid, when we pray for healing or freedom, we are praying for the appropriation of those things to be manifest in our lives.

If the price is paid, why don't we see healing or freedom every time we pray?  I believe there are a few reasons. 

First, often we don't really believe God can or wants to heal/free us. Often we may feel unworthy or undeserving. These are lies of the enemy. The scripture tells us, 2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."  Christ makes us worthy and deserving. It is through him that we are made righteous. It is his will to heal/deliver us!

The Word tells us that all things are possible if we believe. Mark 9:23-24 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”  

I have often prayed the prayer of this father. We long to believe but the enemy is relentless in his attacks against mind and faith.  We can ask the Father to help us believe. It is he who gives us the measure of faith. 

Romans 12:3 "Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us."

I believe a second possible reason we don't see miracles every time we pray is timing. God has plans for our lives and his timing is perfect. 

Habakkuk 2:3 "For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."  His desire is always healing/freedom but it will come in his timing. 

Sometimes that might include the miracle of healing after death. My mom had cancer and we believed God to heal her. Our desire was healing here on earth. However, God chose to take her home. In the instant she passed from this life into eternity she was healed and free!!!  

A third reason might be to show God's glory and power. John 9:3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him."  When we walk through illness or struggles we can rest in God's strength to see us through.  Our journey might be long or it might be short. Either way our response to our trials can be a testimony to those who watch our life. As God sustains us and we rely on him others will have their faith both challenged and strengthened. 

Don't loose heart!!  Our God is greater than anything we face!!  His strength is perfect and his love unfailing!!  

1 John 4:4 "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world."

2 Corinthians 12:9a "Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.'" 

Psalm 136:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever."

IT IS FINISHED!!!!!