Completion

The Bible uses a theme that is not often used in our world.  We live in a world of sound bytes and interruptions.  One study said that the average American worker is interrupted every 11 minutes and that re-focusing after these interruptions causes a massive loss of productivity every day.  Most of us give the excuse that we are good at multi-tasking but in reality the constant shift from one project or thought to another is costly and, I believe, has a profound effect on the work being done.  As I look at my life I find I am guilty of this and often have several unfinished projects going at the same time.
Then I think of Christ.  His birth, life, death and resurrection was all toward a purpose that God had planned from the beginning of all things.  God's desire was that He would be glorified by bringing His creation to a place and time of full redemption.  God's focus through Scripture was to bring people to Himself through His work in the world.  He does this relentlessly using prophets, powers, kings, good events, not so good events, beautiful writings, ugly lamentations, Scripture, His Spirit and His only son.  The watershed event of this redemptive process happens partly on a cross between two criminals and partly through God's intervention as His son walks out of an tomb in the middle east.  Nothing is ever the same after that and we, as His Church, wait praying the prayer, "come Jesus come" knowing that His return will be both a terrible day for some and a wonderful day for those who He knows as His.
In this redemptive process God has never lost focus.  He has turned bad choices to his good purposes to the point Jesus even singles out His killers from the cross and says "Forgive them Father because they don't know what they are doing."
Sunday we will celebrate the God who said from the cross, "It is finished."  Translated, "It is completed."  It was a financial term meaning that the debt was paid and full and the obligation has been canceled.  He is talking about removing our sin which removes the barrier between us and God giving us the ability (as it says in Hebrews) to boldly go before the throne of God.  As promised He brings us to Himself.  As promised the seed of Abraham becomes a blessing to all the nations.  As promised we are given a new heart and a new hope for this life and the life to come.  Thank you Lord for never losing focus and never losing your love for messed up people like me.  Let all who have eyes and ears see and hear you and accept your offer of complete salvation.  In Jesus' name, AMEN! Pastor Randy