It Is Done

I

 I pulled off down the two-lane road that had led me to the little Catholic church on the prairie.  As I gazed off to the left there sat the cemetery where we had just put to rest our sweet genuine friend.  The song Well Doneby the Afterthoughts was playing on the radio, and I thought to myself, “Wow God has done it again.”  

What will it be like when my pain is gone

And all the worries of this world just fade away?

What will it be like when You call my name

And that moment when I see You face to face?

The words from the song were billowing out of my speakers.  My friend’s pain was gone, her worries were no more, and Jesus had called her name.  She was face to face with her savior, and he was saying well done, it is done.

My mind began to wander back to my younger years thirty-one years ago when I had first started my teaching career with Kim.  What a hoot she was.  I learned so much from her about life, about teaching, and about friendship.  I giggled to myself as I ventured back to the good old days and messes, we would get ourselves into.  

Through the years, Kim had woven threads together with many.  In every profession, she created lasting friendships.  In all of her areas of work she had done her job well and also treated everyone well.  These threads of friendship are what has woven so many together and will continue to do so even after today.  

Our friendship was woven together through years of learning. Students learning and us learning.  I think back to a time in my kitchen.  I was young wife and was trying to learn how to cook.  Kim had come over, and we were going to cook spaghetti.  I hate to say it, but I had never cooked spaghetti before.  I said to Kim, “How do you know if the noodles are done?” Kim got one of those noodles out of the pan and threw it on the wall.  What in the world was she doing, I thought?  The noodle stuck to the wall, Kim looked at me and said, IT IS DONE!  

Well done, well done
My good and faithful one
Welcome to the place where you belong
Well done, well done
My beloved child
You have run the race and now you’re home
Welcome to the place where you belong

Revelation 21:6 New International Version (NIV)

⁶ He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

John 19:28-30John 19:28-30 New International Version (NIV)

The Death of Jesus

²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The last thing that Jesus said before dying on the cross was It IS FINISHED.  It is finished means complete, to accomplish.  These 3 words signifies the successful end to a particular course.  Whether running a marathon or turning in your dissertation you are finished you are done. You have set out exactly what you intended to do.  

When we look at those 3 little words Jesus didn’t say I am finished, He didn’t imply that he was defeated and exhausted his cry out meant He had successfully completed the work He intended to do.  The same is for us.  

God finished the creation in the beginning, Jesus finished the work of redemption and the trinity will finish the entire plan of salvation.  With this we have great hope, hope that we believing in the father, being forgiven of sins will take our last breath and have our future secure being with Christ in our eternal home.  It is done!

It is done.  Those 3 little words have much more meaning to me after today than they did thirty-one years ago in my kitchen.  Those 3 little words brought to me a wonderful Christian friend.  Those 3 little words connected many together through a woven quilt of life that Kim had made by loving everyone with her whole heart.  

But Monday as sad as we all were to lose Kim, Kim met her savior.  Face to face.  He had taken the pain that she had endured through her cross.  He called her home with her final breath, and as she entered into eternal life, he looked at her and said, IT IS DONE- WELL DONE my faithful servant, you are home!

CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK

• Keep your daily appointment with God
• Dig deep into the word
• Fill your cup so you can fill other cups