Christian Blogs, Discipleship Encouragement and Correction
Paid In Full
With His last words on the cross, Jesus cried out, “Paid in full!” I’m sure that those who’ve heard the Gospel message are familiar with this, and for those who were among the called and entered into the bridal chamber, we took His cry by faith to mean that all of our sins were forgiven…past, present and future. The Gospel is not a works-based message; our salvation, as God’s altar, is not hewn by human hands.
However, was that the most immediate way to interpret the purpose of our Lord’s cry? Was it only for us, or was it first and foremost a declaration that Jesus made… to His Father? I’d say the latter. Jesus announced the completion of a Son’s duty; a plan agreed to before the foundation of the world was laid. Thus, Jesus became the mediator between God and man and the veil in the Holy of Holies was torn; thus allowing men access to God but only through His Son. There is neither no other God nor mediator.
Finally, let me say that without a mediator, all men faced God’s justice because of sin, and in God’s judgment, eternal suffering. Jesus spoke of a worm that never dies. To that end, without Christ, man’s debt would never had been paid. Then again, God’s glorious holiness would not have been reflected in His mercy. His justice, yes, but mercy? No.
Oh, if only we grasped the infinite wisdom of God in how He brought His justice and mercy together at the cross, then we; His elect and bride, would more lovingly and fervently cry out today, “Yes, it is finished! And unto you most holy God, and lover of my soul, may we sing your praises! For your glorious holiness will is now manifest in both your mercy and justice!”
