Mary Did You Know is a popular Christmas song written by Mark Lowrey (music by Buddy Green). This song has been sung by numerous artists in a wide range of genres. It has been made popular by anyone and everyone who sings it. The song simply asks the question, “Mary did you know?” Maybe in her heart she did, but in the natural and in reality, and retrospect- she probably didn’t. Hindsight and foresight are wonderful attributes; however, they are not usually readily available in “real time”… at least not in most cases. Most of us, like Mary don’t actually know until after the fact. We may have a prophetic promise or a discerning sense, but sometimes even those things that we have a sense for don’t always come to pass. And the things that we go through and experience in the “process” of receiving what was promised, doesn’t always make sense either. The “process” is the most difficult part of any endeavor or experience, especially in regard to obtaining a promise! God said it, His word promised it and you are believing for it, but then the “process” begins. No manifestation, no signs, no proof- just a process of living out what seems to be the insignificant mundane routines of life. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, God is always at work- even behind the scenes.

Most theologians believe that there was a 400-year period of silence from God. This period of silence would represent the period of time between the Old and New Testaments. Nothing happening, but people believing what the prophets had declared and living by faith for the fruition of that promise. Isaiah records it this way: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Fast forward 400 years and you have record of an Angel of The Lord showing up to a young virgin girl named Mary. Yeah, “Mary, did you know?”

Luke 1:26-38 gives an account of the encounter this way: “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.”

Did you catch the words from those last two verses? I underlined them and put the last statement in bold font. The first phrase is: “No word from God will ever fail.” That was spoken by the Angel of the Lord who had come to earth from heaven (Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven). The second statement was spoken by Mary: “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Mary confessed in faith and declared, “May Your Kingdom come and may Your will be done- in the earth through this earthen vessel.” Then the Angel of the Lord left her. There she was- all alone with the promise of God and now she would begin to walk through the “process” that would eventually lead to the promise that had boldly been proclaimed by the Angel of the Lord. Now, before I go on, I want you to know that I know that the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. However, when you are believing for something without seeing a tangible result, it sometimes feels as if God is a million miles away. Right? Nonetheless, this verse says that the Angel of the Lord spoke the promised Word and left her. Mary was now alone with this overwhelming sense of how? And now what?

So, my question is not, “Mary did you know?” My question is, “Mary what did you learn through the process?” The “process” is difficult and demanding. The “process” is confined and confusing. The “process” is also sometimes painful and peculiar. Nonetheless, what keeps us going through the “process” is the possibilities of the prophesied promise. “I heard Bishop TD Jakes say recently in an interview that we talk more about the promise than we do the process, but nonetheless, he believes that God is in the process even more so than the promise.” The “process” is what we despise, but it is also what develops us. And, without the process we would never obtain knowledge, wisdom or experience. We must go through the process to grow, learn and to obtain all that God has for us. Mary went through the process: (1) She received the word of the Lord from the Angel of the Lord. (2) She told Joseph and had to deal with being misunderstood. (3) She undoubtedly went through the process of people not believing her and drawing conclusions and forming assumptions. (4) She experienced the encounter of visiting with Elizabeth. (5) She experienced the journey on a donkey to Bethlehem. (6) She experienced no room in the inn and having to spend the night in an animal stall where she would ultimately give birth. (7) She experienced the birth pains and travail of having a child.

The Bible says that Mary pondered all things in her heart. The word “pondered” means to think deeply about. Now let’s look at this verse in context in Luke 2:1-20: ¹ In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the entire inhabited earth should be taxed. ² This taxation was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³ And everyone went to his own city to be taxed. ⁴ So Joseph also departed from the city of Nazareth in Galilee to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, in Judea, because he was of the house and lineage of David, ⁵ to be taxed with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. ⁶ So while they were there, the day came for her to give birth. ⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in strips of cloth, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ⁸ And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” ¹³ Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying,¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.” ¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Many theologians have various opinions on verse nineteen of Luke chapter 2. However, in the sequence of context, Luke tells the entire story of the birth of Christ and in verse nineteen simply says that Mary thought about all of these deeply and kept them to herself. Mary did you know? And most importantly, Mary what did you learn? What did Mary learn in the “process” of birthing and obtaining the promise of God and how does it relate to us as we journey through our own “process” that we find ourselves in while believing for the promised promises:

1. Mary learned that you have to begin by believing.
2. Mary learned that the longest journey begins with the first step.
3. Mary learned that surrender and obedience is what produces the extraordinary.
4. Mary learned that it’s not about what others may think or say that matters.
5. Mary learned that when you take the Lord at His word it may not turn out like you thought it would.
6. Mary learned that the Word of God is always confirmed, and it is always true.
7. Mary learned that God uses people, problems and pain to produce His plan.
8. Mary learned that God’s plan is perfect.
9. Mary learned that you can trust the “process” and that the timing of God is always perfect.

Determined

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8

Daniel had a distinguishing difference because he determined in his heart to do the right thing. Your determination to do the right thing will be your distinguishing difference. It will direct your present situation and it will determine your future outcome. Daniel didn’t do what everyone else was doing- he did what was right! If there was ever a time that we needed people to stand up and be a difference maker- it is now! If there was ever a time when we need people to not follow the patterns of what everyone else is doing- it is now! If there is ever a time when we needed people who will do what it right- it is now!

In the book of James it tells us: “To him that knows to do good and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.” Daniel knew what was right and he did it! He prayed and he believed God and he trusted God even when things were difficult and uncertain. And, what a difference it made for him and for everyone else concerned. He didn’t concede, he didn’t compromise, he didn’t use justification or reasoning and he didn’t compare, although there was a noticeable difference and there were many comparisons that were being drawn between him and the others who didn’t do what was right in regard to honoring God.

There should a distinguishing difference in those who serve the Lord and do the right thing while trusting God for the outcome.

• Daniel looked better than those who were eating delicacies.
• Daniel came out of the lions den alive- not dead.
• Daniel honored God and was given a position of honor.

Daniel Decided: *(everything begins with a decision)

1. Daniel decided to  serve God although it wasn’t easy.

2. Daniel to pray although it took effort.

3. Daniel decided to “Not” do what everyone else was doing.

4. Daniel decided to trust God in difficult times when it didn’t make sense. 

5. Daniel decided to do the right thing although it wasn’t popular.

*Daniel was thrown into the lions den by the hands of men, but he was delivered out of the lions den by the hand of God! The end result was good and the end result was God! And, the end result was- God delivered Daniel out of the lions den and the king said, “We will now serve the God of Daniel.”

There is no substitute for doing the right thing!

May our lives be different- so that we will make a difference.

3 Things to Consider When Developing Your Potential by Doing the Right Thing:

1. Consider the outcome for your course of action?

2. Ask yourself: Could the decision I’m making jeopardize my character or hinder my witness for the Lord?

3. Ask yourself: Is there a better option and would that option have a better outcome for me and a greater impact for the Kingdom of God?

Rebellious hearts receive satisfaction from their ways; the good receive the due reward for their deeds. The naive believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps. The wise are careful and avoid evil, but fools become excited and overconfident. Short tempered people make stupid mistakes, and schemers are hated. Stupidity is the lot of the naive, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. –Proverbs 14:14-18

The Least That You Can Do

Just Because Someone Carries It Well – That Doesn’t Mean That It Isn’t Heavy.

I love this statement: “Just because someone carries it well – that doesn’t mean that it isn’t heavy.” In other words, some people just have the grace  to carry things well, even though the things that are carrying are often heavy and sometimes burdensome. But, just because they make it look easy- or, they don’t seemed to be burdened or bothered by it, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t actually burdened by it, or that it isn’t a heavy load for them to carry. On the other hand, I also believe that there are some people that can just handle way more, for whatever reason. I also know that there are people who are burdened or bothered by things that they don’t want to burden or bother anyone else with as well. Therefore, we need to pay close attention to those who have obstacles in their life and for those who have various things that are going on in their life that they have to juggle and keep up with. With that being said, be mindful, be supportive and offer help when you can. You can be kind, considerate and offer to help out, or at least lend a listening ear, even if you don’t fully understand the magnitude of what someone may be going through or may be experiencing at the time. Sometimes the least that you can do- is the most that you can do! You may not be able to fully relate or understand entirely someone’s pain or problem, but, you can be kind, and considerate of them in whatever they may be going through.

We all carry burdens and concerns that are specific and unique to only us. We also not only carry burdens that are specific only to us, we also share in similar scenarios of stressors that are both common and similar. Now, with that being said, I believe that we can only truly relate to one another experientially- to a certain extent. That’s because although we may have had or shared certain experiences, we all process, experience, feel things and express things in different ways. Therefore, I believe that we can only truly relate to one another to a certain extent, in the sense of feeling what the other person may be feeling or experiencing. Even if we have been through the same experiences or have had similar feelings- we still can’t have the exact same experience or the same mutual understanding. And, again that’s because we all process, experience, feel and express differently. In other words, if you have a troubled marriage, or a rebellious child or have lost a loved one or a pet. Even though I may have had the sane experience, I still can’t feel exactly what you are feeling, nor can I experience exactly what you may be experiencing.  However, with all of that being said, we can still be kind and considerate of one another.

When I was trying to tell a friend who had asked what we were doing now as a family, he couldn’t relate! And, he couldn’t believe it, nor could he understand! And, even if he did relate or he did understand, he couldn’t fully relate to what was taking place and that’s because he has no way of feeling exactly what we are feeling and he has no way of processing the events the exact same way that we do. However, he was concerned and he did sympathize and he was kind. Sometimes the least that you can do- is the most that you can do! When I use to travel and play gospel music we would have breakdowns. This would lead to being up all night and showering in a truck stop and getting a new mode of transportation to get us to the venue for the concert. And of course, we would tell the audience about our misfortune. But, they couldn’t fully relate. And that’s because most of them had never traveled on a bus and broken down. And, even if they had, we still all feel, think and process differently. Just recently we made a trip to the Smokey Mountains and on our route to our destination, there was a bad accident that had shut the interstate down. So, we had to reroute. Immediately I called the hotel in TN to notify them of our late arrival. The lady on the other end of the phone was kind, considerate and sympathetic, but you guessed it! She couldn’t feel exactly what we were feeling or experience exactly what we were experiencing. And, you guessed it! Even if she had experienced the exact same delay, we all feel, process and think differently.

So, some of you may be saying Rob, what are you saying!? What I’m saying is this: Sometimes the least that you can do is the most that you can do! And, sometimes the least that you can do is be kind and considerate of someone, even if you can’t relate or you don’t understand. And, I feel like I have reiterated the fact that even if we have been through the exact same experiences, or have had similar feelings in less than fortunate circumstances- we still can’t have the exact same experience or understand exactly what someone else may be experiencing or feeling. That’s because we all process, experience, feel and express things differently. Therefore, we can never truly feel or experience on the same level that someone else does. However, I do believe that we can be understanding, kind and considerate of one another regardless. Nonetheless, as I was processing these thoughts one day, the Lord reminded me of this scripture found in Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” This simple verse is the key! You see, that’s the least that you and I can do- we can rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. And, we can also lend a listening ear to those who need to be heard. Now more than ever, it is a time when we can give some grace and be considerate of everyone that we encounter. Regardless of what levels you can relate to someone on, or, how easy it is for you to navigate through the unfortunate scenarios of life that you may experiencing yourself, now more than ever, especially during these uncertain and unprecedented times, we can be considerate of one another in the process of doing life together…

And Here’s a Formula to Follow:

1. Be Kind.

2. Be Considerate.

3. Understand Before You Are Understood.

4. Be a Hand of Hope to the Hurting.

5. Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice.

6. Weep With Those Who Weep.

7. Listen to Those Who Need Someone to Listen to Them.

It’s the Least That You Can Do!

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” II Thess. 3:16

“I’ve come that you might have peace; not as the world gives but that only I can give.” Jn. 14:27

“I will give peace to the one who’s mind is fixed on me.” Is. 26:3

“The peace of God will transcend all understanding and guard your hearts and minds.” Phil. 4:7

“Blessed are the Peace Makers for they will be called the children of God.” Matt. 5:9

How Do You Strive to Make Peace? 

Find a Way by figuring out what it takes to make it work!

1. Learn to celebrate instead of always being critical.

2. Learn to speak the right language. *(words matter and tone matters)

3. Don’t complain about what you allow and don’t tolerate what you could confront.

4. Don’t excuse what should be expressed. *(Say it, if it needs said, but say it in love!)

5. Destroy assumptions, perceptions and feelings by having those tough conversations.

6. Learn to concede and to compromise (What’s best may not be what I think, feel or want).

7. Learn to “give and take” and Learn to “let it go!” (If it’s always about you, you will never have true peace)

8. It’s not about winning; it’s about working it out! (If you have to win every argument and conquer every battle you will never have real peace)

9. Don’t keep things stirred up that need to die down.

10. Don’t walk away from what you  you were meant to walk through. (you won’t have peace if you choose to live in regret)

11. Seek first to understand- before being understood.

12. Deal with what needs to be dealt with and let go of what you can’t change.

Peace is an atmosphere that is produced by proper patterns that embodies a Spirit-Led – Christ-Centered life.

To be a peace-maker means that you produce peace in situations, circumstances and in the lives of others by giving what you have received from God first.

Sometimes you have to face it to fix it, but sometimes you have to release it to receive true peace.

opinion | əˈpinyən – a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

truth | tro͞oTH – the quality or state of being true; that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.

reality | rēˈalədē – the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them.

persevere | [pərsəˈvir] persevering (present participle) – continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.

past | [past] – beyond the scope, capacity, range or sphere of something or someone.

objectionable | əbˈjekSH(ə)nəb(ə)l – arousing distaste or opposition; offensive · unpleasant · disagreeable · distasteful · displeasing · unacceptable.

perspective | \ pər-ˈspek-tiv – the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed; the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance.

Persevering Past Objectionable Perspectives

I don’t think anyone would disagree that division in the United States is an obvious reality. The problem with division is that it doesn’t unite, it divides. That’s right, division is a divider. Division can also be a detrimental demoralizer. In most cases division makes something weaker, not stronger. We are the United States of America, but most would agree in many areas of life, like morals values, policies and principles we are not united as a country overall. Some would say that this dilemma was caused by our previous president, while others would say it was the president who served before him who actually caused it. Many would say we have always been divided, while others may say that it has never been like this before, or, at least not this bad. Whether it’s agendas, policies, values, morals, principles, race or gender, we stand divided on so many fronts! Nonetheless, the greater concern I have in regard to the division we face as a country, is the division that it is creating in our everyday lives. This political and cultural division in America and around the globe is creating division in families, friendships, marriages, workplaces, churches and etc. We are dividing individually over matters that we ultimately can’t control and we are taking sides over issues that in some ways don’t effect us personally. However, that doesn’t make it right and it doesn’t mean that you or I shouldn’t stand up or speak out for what we believe to be right! But, this must been done in love with wisdom and through grace. Remember, even Jesus Himself instructed His disciples to be as wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove when dealing with others who may not have been receptive to their practices and or teaching.

I have given my life to the practices of Christianity and to the study and sharing of God’s word for over thirty seven years. Therefore, I can’t just adjust what I believe to be the infallible Word of God and the absolute truth, all because of what someone thinks or feels. However, it also doesn’t mean that I can’t love or be considerate or be kind, just because I don’t agree with someone or some issue that is being discussed or demonstrated. But, at the same time, I also realize that many also have varying interpretations and beliefs in regard to what the Bible says or doesn’t say concerning certain moral issues and consensual diverse behaviors. Nonetheless, there in lies the problem again of more division and varying perspectives on what has determined our perspective or that has helped form someone’s opinion over a particular concern, decision or value. For example, within evangelical Christian circles or within a particular political party, someone may even express and view different opinions or perspectives in regard to beliefs, agendas or policies. What one may consider to be conservative or moral, another would consider the same issue to be insensitive or inhumane. On one hand you have the whole cancel culture and politically correct extreme views and on the other hand you have conspiracy theories and exaggerated ideals of reality. I should also mention the hot topic issues that have unfortunately become political agendas that have helped form policies for things like: abortion, transgenderism, the legalizing of same sex marriage, border control, illegal aliens, citizenship, vaccines, gun control or becoming oil independent. I am sure as you read this list you already rehearsed your opinion or ideal in your own mind in regard to these issues. We could also talk about other issues like: social distancing, limits, restrictions, closures, masks, the COVID vaccines and stimulus checks. With all of these scenarios and concerns there also comes with them an opinion on what you, I or someone else might think or believe. And, with these opinions, can come disagreements and division as well. So, what do we do? I think we start by loving, listening, learning and growing. That’s right! We love. We listen. We learn. We grow. We strive to understand, even when we don’t agree. We strive to be cordial and considerate even when we don’t see eye to eye. Nonetheless, I didn’t say that we should compromise or condone. But, we also shouldn’t be critical or condemn. And, we shouldn’t cancel everyone that doesn’t agree with us, either! However, this has to be the same for both sides.  It can’t be that I only listen to you when I agree with what you’re saying – and vice versa! But, you also can’t except most people to unite or rally around a cause that they don’t align with or agree with either. Nonetheless, that still doesn’t mean that you have to be critical or condescending, though. I also believe that this means that we can also agree to disagree and still be considerate. We also must rally and unite around things that we can agree upon and those things in life that truly matter. We love. We listen. We learn. We grow. We strive to understand, even when we don’t agree. We also use common sense, in which there seems to be a lack of today, especially in some religious circles and in most political arenas of government.

Thus, the title for this blog: “I am persevering past objectionable perspectives.” If you know me you know that I like words and the meaning that they possess. So, here’s what I mean when I say that I am “Persevering Past Objectionable Perspectives.” Persevering– I am continuing in a course of action even in the face of frustration and difficulty, even if there is no prospect of achieving success. Past– I am moving beyond the scope, capacity, range or sphere of something or someone that is objectionable. Objectionable– something that arouses distaste or opposition; offensive · unpleasant · disagreeable · distasteful · displeasing · unacceptable. Perspective(s)– the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed; the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance. And, perspective is really the deterrent for how we ultimately view, value or determine how we feel, respond or who’s side we take in regard to the matter at hand. Perspective is what led me to write this blog. You see, what you’re going through or what you are experiencing at any given moment can determine the opinion you have in regard to what may be taking place. For example, I saw a meme on social media in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Amish. Any other time, I may have agreed or thought it to be humorous. However, since I had just lost two close relatives to the virus only a few days prior to seeing the meme, I didn’t find the meme nearly as funny as I might have earlier in the year. What happened? My perspective had changed because of what I had experienced. A year ago, I may have laughed and agreed, but last week I just lost close family members to COVID-19, therefore my opinion had changed in regard to this perspective. Now, in reality there are many opinions and views that are formed or dismantled all because of one’s perspective, not just mine. And, in culture there are many perspectives that others share that I don’t agree with, but there are also many whom don’t agree with me either! We will never agree with everyone on every issue, that’s why we must use consideration and kindness to bring healing and unity. Love, wisdom, mutuality, kindness and consideration are the keys to healing disagreements and striving toward unity.

So, in a world filled with so many opposing ideologies how do you show consideration and mutuality to those who don’t share your opinion or regard your perspective as being correct or valid? Remember, just because someone hasn’t had my experience or doesn’t share my opinion or value my perspective, that doesn’t mean that I can’t be kind or show mutual consideration, even if it means we disagree. No this, you can only live at the level of experience or revelation that you have had or received. And, it is your experience, opinion and ideals that help form your perspective. A tainted perspective can taint your view of a situation or person. And, the wrong perspective can cause you to see things unclearly and view situations illogically. Nonetheless, the right perspective can help you see things clearly and reasonably. I pray that we rally around and unite around those things that we can agree upon, those things in life that truly matter! I pray that we love, we listen, we learn and we grow. It is my hope that we strive to understand, even when we don’t agree with one another. In closing, here are seven things that I am hoping, praying and believing for as I “Persevere Past Objectionable Perspectives.”

7 Things to Help You Persevere Past Objectionable Perspectives:  

• Use wisdom and be gentle.
• Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide your heart, direct your thoughts and dictate your words.
• Speak the truth in love.
• Listen with an open heart, open ears and an objective mind.
• Don’t allow prejudices or past experiences to cause you to not hear clearly what others are saying, although you may not agree with them.
• Don’t allow the continuous daunting of others’ opinions to taint your perspective of what you know to be true.
• Don’t grow weary in well doing. – Gal. 6:9

Jesus said, “It is Finished!”, but He never said, “I am Finished.” Interesting note: the statement, “It Is Finished” is actually one word in the Greek: tetelestai.  And, that word is an active present tense verb – which means it includes the past, the present and the future all at the same time. The word deals with wholeness and completeness, nothing missing and nothing lacking! But, nonetheless, when Jesus said, “It Is Finished!” It was, but the assignment He had been given wasn’t totally completed. He had shed His blood, but He had not yet died and came back to life. He was God’s agreement in the earth, but He also had not yet sealed the mercy seat in heaven (eternity) and He had not received His glorified body, in which He would appear to His disciples. However, Jesus is the only one who had the authority to declare that something was finished, before it was totally completed and He is the only who had the power and authority to accomplish what needed to be fulfilled. In realty, it was finished because it had already been settled in heaven and all of God’s promises are “yes” (definite affirmation) and “amen” (so be it) in Christ Jesus. So, what that meant was, it had already been settled by saying, yes! (definitely) amen! (so be it) in heaven, but it still had to be fulfilled in the earth and that’s what Jesus did.  But, the good news is, although it is finished, Jesus is still not finished today! As a matter of fact… ^He is still working today – to save, to heal, to deliver and to restore. ^He will never give up on you or me. ^He will never give in to defeat, because He is victory! ^He who began a good work, will complete it! ^His blood will never lose it’s power. There is power in His blood to save us and to heal us and to set us free. And, because He conquered death, hell and the grave, we will never die, but we have been given the opportunity to have eternal life with Him forever in heaven, if we choose to believe that He is the Son of God and that God raised Him fromthe dead on the third day – we do this by grace through faith, not by or from anything that we have done, but by and through everything that He has done. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is our redemption! And, the redemptive story of mankind and the Gospel of Good News is this – the first creation, Adam and Eve had sinned, but Jesus became the second Adam, He was born of a virgin – He walked among men and new no sin – He was betrayed, beaten and crucified. He willingly laid down His life, He was laid in a tomb, but on the third day He rose again! He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for you and I and one day soon He will return again and take us home to be with Him forever! Therefore ,what began in one garden through the sin and disobedience of Adam and Eve was reversed in another garden through the obedience of Jesus Christ, the living son of God! Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross for all mankind once and for all – and He declared, “It is finished”, but He never said, “I am finished.”

Therefore, I want to look at the symbolic significance of what Christ did after He said, “It is Finished!”

1. He Tasted Death.

– The wages of sin was death – but the gift of God was eternal life through Jesus Christ.
– Life conquered death – so that we might live.
– No more rituals, no more blood shed and no more animal sacrifices.
– The veil had been torn and we now have access to God.

2. He Came to Life.

– He got up and death was swallowed up.
– Christ came to life and we became eternal beings.
– We will spend eternity somewhere, either in the presence of God or separated from God for eternity.
– For those that are in Christ – to be absent from these bodies… is to be present with Christ!

3. He Appeared to Mary.

– Mary came to the tomb first and Jesus appears to her first in the Gospel of John chapter twenty.
– John 20 shows us many things:
– The stone was rolled away.
– The tomb was empty.
– The grave clothes that remained.
– The angels that were present and spoke.
– Peter and John seeing for themselves: the grave clothes and empty tomb.

“Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.” – John 20:1-18 NKJV

John 20 Shows Us Many Things, But Here Are 3 Things That I Want to Look at: (remember, this is all after Jesus said, “It is Finished!”)

1. The Grave Clothes Remained Untouched and the Cloth That Covered Jesus’ Face Was folded. V. 6-7

2 Things In Regard to the Grave Clothes of Jesus:

1st – THE HEBRIAC TRADITION OF THE FOLDED NAPKIN:

– A crumpled or loose napkin meant that you were through or done.
– Death had been defeated and had been done away with.

– Jesus had defeated death and the grave clothes were no longer relevant.
– The were loosely laying there because He was done!

*Sometimes you just have to been done in order to move on. You cant keep putting on the past, if you desire to walk in a new preferred future. You can’t put on hopelessness and expect to walk in a new found hope. You have to leave behind what you no longer need, so that you can experience what Christ has provided.

– A folded napkin meant you weren’t done and you would return.
– Jesus will return and you will see His face again.
– He is the King of King’s and Lord of Lord’s.
– Jesus will return again and we will see Him face to face.

2nd – GRAVE ROBBERIES WERE VERY COMMON IN JESUS’ DAYS:

– Mary ran to get Peter and John and she was yelling that they had stolen the body of Jesus.
– The soldiers already made an agreement to say that this was what had happened to Jesus’ body.

– BUT! John left no doubt that He got up!
– The grave clothes were untouched.
– The cloth that covered Jesus face was folded.
– If they would have stolen the body of Christ – nothing would have been in the tomb.
*Jesus got up! He conquered death. He shed the grave clothes and He folded His face cloth neatly and He walked out of the tomb alive and victorious!

2. There Was an Angel That Was Seated At the Head of Where Jesus Had Been Laid and There Was an Angel That Was Seated At the Feet of Where Jesus Once Laid. V. 12

– The Ark of the covenant represented the presence of God. (Ex. 25)
– The lid was gold and had 2 angels on each end facing each other.
– the lid was the mercy seat.
– A lid is what gives you access to something.
– Jesus became the living lid.
– Jesus gives us access to the presence of God.
– God’s mercy provided a way through Jesus.
– The veil has been rent from top to bottom.

– We can approach the throne of God and obtain mercy

3. Jesus told Mary not to touch Him. v.17

– Jesus was God’s agreement in the earth.
– Jesus was the eternal high priest.
– Jesus became our high priest.
– Jesus made the sacrifice on the earth. (in time)
– Jesus sealed the mercy seat in Heaven. (for eternity)

Jesus said, “It is finished… but Thank God He didn’t say, “I am finished…”

1. He descended to the lower parts to free the captives, making His atonement known and confirming the words of the prophets.
2. He came out of the tomb and appeared to Mary.
3. He ascended to God the Father as the High Priest.
4. He appeared to His disciples to prove His resurrection.
5. He ascended to Heaven to prepare a place for us.
6. He sent The Holy Spirit to indwell us, to empower us and to equip us.
7. He sits at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for us.

And, some day soon He is coming back to take us home to be with Him forever… Thank God He didn’t say, “I am finished!”

He is not through – He wants show up and work in your life today… It is finished, but He is not finished… the statement “It is finished” is one word: tetelestai – that is an active present tense verb – which means includes the past, the present and the future… and, it includes right now!

– He wants to save you.
– He wants to heal you.
– He wants to help you.
– He wants to comfort you.
– He wants to give you peace.
– He wants to restore your relationships.
– He wants to save your family and love ones.
– He wants to refresh you.
– He wants to talk to you.
– He wants to lead you and guide you.
– He wants to show you what you don’t know.
– He wants to have a relationship with you.