“When Jesus had therefore received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.” (Jn 19:30, NASB) What did Jesus mean when He said, ‘It is finished.” What was finished? Christ was obviously still physically alive when He said these words. What was finished was that the redemption price for the penalty of our sins was paid in full. Just before these words, the Apostle Matthew writes these words of Jesus, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Mt. 27:46, NASB) Jesus became judged sin. God, His Father, had to forsake Him for a moment in time that we might not have to be forsaken of God for eternity. The price was paid. It was finished. We focus much on Christ’s physical suffering which was horrendous. But Christ also endured spiritual suffering which was far worse. I believe that is the cup that Christ prayed about having removed. He knew the penalty He would be paying for our sins. And, He paid it for the joy of our salvation. He looked forward to the joy and so endured the cross (Heb 12:2). As you celebrate this Easter season, please consider the full price Christ paid for us. Consider how valuable we are to God that He would allow Himself and His Son to endure the spiritual forsakenness on our behalf. There is no greater love.
Mary studied Mechanical Engineering as an undergraduate student. While studying she traded semesters working at NASA in Houston, Texas. It was while working at NASA that she felt the tug on her heart that God had another plan for her life. Upon graduation, Mary proceeded to serve as a missionary for the next 11 years of her life; she served in Greece the last two years of her service. Upon returning from Greece, she pursued her Master's degree in Counseling, which led to a job with a major university. It was while working there that God did what God faithfully does, she found herself working as an engineer again as she managed major construction projects for the university. She also pursued her Master's degree in Engineering Management and her Professional Engineering License. Mary now on her ministry and writing. When Mary left missionary service it was her desire to return to fulltime ministry one day. She had her first outline for a book in 1989 (a book she has yet to write). Her first book was published in May, 2014 with the second quickly on its heels in December, 2014. She continues to write and is developing an evangelistic series of books centered around Jesus Christ. Her prayer is that her books will bless others' relationships with our Father God and His word.