“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””  (1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV)

As we are now within Holy Week, let us remind ourselves that the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of God and of the Son—dwells within us ALWAYS. May we become more aware of His presence, guiding, strengthening, and renewing us each day without fail.

When Jesus purchased you and I by His precious blood, we became His with no shifting shadows. Therefore, there isn’t meant to be a distinction between Holy Week and the rest of our days. Why? Because His presence is always and forever in us and with us—unchanging, constant, and true in every moment of our lives.

With the provision in our nation of a four-day “Holy Week” holiday—or shall we call it a “holyday”—we take and maximize this time to let our roots grow deeper, drinking spiritual nourishment from the river that flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb alone. We bask in the beauty of His presence and fellowship with fellow believers, joyfully commemorating what the finished work of Jesus has accomplished and secured for us.

When Jesus cried out, “IT IS FINISHED!” (John 19:30), it is the Greek word “TETELESTAI”. 

It is a word once used in business contexts on ancient receipts during New Testament times to signify that a debt had been paid in full – payment completely remitted. It was also used in judicial settings, declaring that a sentence had been fully served, and in military contexts, proclaiming that the battle had been won. It is, in every sense, a word of triumph, signifying the completion of His victorious redemptive work.

When Jesus was on the cross and cried out, “It is finished!” He was declaring that the debt of our sin had been fully paid, the judgment for our sin had been completely served and satisfied, and the spiritual war against sin, death, and satan had been decisively and utterly won. The work of salvation, redemption, victory, reconciliation, and new life is now fully ours to receive and partake in.

The potency of the Blood of Jesus, which paid for our redemption once and for all, carries a sovereign, steadfast, and sustaining power throughout all the days of our lives. This power is readily available, fully sufficient, and unfailingly accessible by faith as we align ourselves with this revelation. Therefore, we are invited to know the truth of His Word and to continually renew our minds, that our lives may be transformed.

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  (1 Peter 1:13 ESV)

Another powerful thing happened when Jesus exclaimed, “IT IS FINISHED!”

Miles away from Golgotha inside the temple at Jerusalem, an inexplicable, mystifying supernatural event occurred.  The massive, fortified veil, believed to be 4 inches thick and up to 60 feet in height, that stood before the Holy of Holies was suddenly split in half from the top all the way to the bottom. The sound of that veil splitting must have been deafening as it ripped and tore from the top all the way down to the floor.  It was as if invisible, divine hands had reached out to grab it, rip it to shreds and discard it.

Hallelujah! The way to the Holy of Holies has been opened, and God’s presence is no longer confined there with access granted only once a year through a high priest.

When Jesus was lifted up on that Cross, that Cross became the eternal mercy seat on which the blood of the perfect and final sacrifice was sprinkled.  Once that sacrifice was made, there was no longer any need for a high priest to offer sacrifices year after year, for the Blood of Jesus had forever settled the matter ONCE AND FOR ALL.

From that day onwards, the Lord our God has made His presence available and accessible to everyone who comes to Him through the Blood of Jesus.

No wonder Jesus said, “I Am The Way and The Truth and The Life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”(John 14:6) He is the perfect sacrifice, and He is the perfect High Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

God is a Holy God, and no one can come near Him apart from being washed by the Blood of the Lamb of God. Thus, we are made holy—set apart exclusively for Him—called to live consecrated lives devoted to His purposes, all made possible IN CHRIST.  Apart from Him, we can do nothing. But, with Him, we can be unstoppable.

When we know who we are in Christ, who He is in us, what He has done for us, and the inheritance we have in Him, we become vessels for honorable use—set apart as holy, useful to the Master of the house, and ready for every good work. Why? Because once we are washed by His Blood, we become new creations in Him, turning away from iniquity and pursuing Him, His Kingdom, and His righteousness—His way of doing right.

Our holiness is never by our own works, lest we boast. It is not by our own might nor by our own power, but by the Spirit of God who dwells in us.

“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), RECREATED in Christ Jesus, [BORN ANEW] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].”  (Ephesians 2:10 APMC)

May we take time to quiet our hearts in these days, to commune with Him, and to remember and reflect on the immeasurable love of our Heavenly Father, Who gave His only Begotten and Beloved Son to suffer and die for us, so that we may truly live, enjoy life, and experience it more abundantly in His presence.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank You for Your vast and extensive love, for never withholding anything from us—not even Your own Beloved Son—so that, in Christ alone, we can come boldly before Your throne of grace with full access, warmly welcomed and greatly celebrated.  Thank You, Jesus, for becoming sin for us though You knew no sin, so that in You, by the power of Your shed blood, we can become the righteousness of God, made holy to be Your holy habitation.  Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your constant guidance and powerful revelation. Day by day, You show us the boundless love of Christ, the love that surpasses all knowledge, so that our hearts and minds may be filled with the fullness of the Godhead. May we be constantly mindful of Your quiet, faithful work within us, shaping us to reflect His glory in every part of our lives.  Amen!