But what exactly was finished? Do you think it was just the insults, the beatings, the slaps to and spit in His face, the blood draining from His side as death approach, and His life on Earth ended? Yes, those were finished; but there’s more. Jesus came on a mission to reveal His Father to us; to bridge the gap between God and man; to bring an end to the daily sacrifice; and to break the power of sin over our lives! Yes, His mission on Earth was finished! But my mind tells me that His words were also a warning to Satan telling the wicked rascal that he was finished!

There are times in life when our problems seemed to crushed us; when all we can do is cry, and cry, and cry some more. Like Mary Magdalene, even though we have often sat at Jesus’ feet, yet in the time of testing we sometimes forget the lessons learnt. We allowed our troubles to cloud out the view of our Master, of our hope and dreams. In the face of our storms, we weep thinking it’s all over, that there’s no way out. Just as how Jesus called out to Mary, so He’s calling out your name. He’s calling your name saying, “Weep no more, I am not dead!”

The ability to read another’s thoughts is amazing, yet frightening! If you could, you would know everything about other persons. Nothing would surprise you as every thoughts lay naked to your all knowing mind. This is scary! Even though we have the desire to know, with the main aim being to control, it wouldn’t be fun knowing everything.

Have you gotten your Lamb yet? You need Him because you need the blood! Only the blood of Jesus can cleans from sin. We no longer celebrate the sacrificial systems and the Feast of The Passover Supper because we believe that Jesus was the fulfillment of these Mosaic laws. Jesus’ blood can cleanse you of every stain and defilement of sin. His blood has never and will never lose its power.

That’s poor policing! How could they go to make an arrest, and not even know the accused or carry along an artist impression of Him? They might have taken anyone. But that wouldn’t happen. Judas was the reliable eye witness; and he was with the arresting officers to make sure they get the right accused. Still, upon their arrival, it was Jesus who asked them: “Whom are you seeking?” They replied, “Jesus of Nazareth”. Jesus identified himself when He said, “I am He”. Instead of stepping forward and arresting Jesus, they drew back and fell to the ground. It took a repeat of Jesus’ question before they believed and arrested Him.

Like the process of physical immunization, in the spiritual realm, we needed an immunogen. God in His wisdom knew that the only way we would survive is to have this needed vaccination. He sent Jesus to be our immunogen. Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. Praise the Lord! The immunization process is complete. But God did even more.

Jesus had worked among them for three years, and still many hearts did not believe. Raising Lazarus from the dead wasn’t the only time Jesus raised someone from the dead. He had raised the widow’s son, didn’t He? Yet, it’s not recorded that the Jews sought proof of this miracle. Jesus’ work was littered with many evidences of whom He said He was; but still, many did not believe. Would seeing Lazarus awaken their belief in Jesus? Well, it did for some.

There isn't a child of God who does not face challenges, impossible situation from time to time. For some, it is a daily experience - sometimes a continuous challenge. We've prayed, put our faith into action, prayed some more but still nothing happened. We've asked, seek, knock: but still nothing is happening - or so it seems. Like this father, we know Jesus can help, but we sometimes wondered, would He?

It wasn’t God’s will to cause the older generation to perish in the wilderness. It was their rebellion. Their unwillingness to follow the straight “thus saith the Lord” prevented their entry. They preferred to set up their own rules and do their own thing. They rebelled against God’s chosen who always stood in the gap for them. With all the miracles God did and all the provisions He gave them, still they were unsatisfied and doubtful of His protection. Their rebellion prevented them from entering the Promised Land.

Jesus’ response to the hurt, anger, resentment, and revenge in their faces and hearts toward their oppressors wasn’t a popular or welcomed one. It made Jesus sad to tell them something different than what they wanted to hear. What they heard was: “Do not resist. Go the extra mile. Go over and beyond the call of duty. Be agreeable. Respect authority.” Jesus only reiterated what they already knew, but the anger in their hearts tricked them into believing that they wanted otherwise.