Even to the End

“It is finished.” Jesus cried as He breathed His last breath.

And with that cry, it was finished.

The atoning work was done; the price for sin paid; the load of sin borne.

It was finished.

The enemy had been defeated; the victory won.

It was finished.

But that wasn’t the end.

Christ would rise; He would reveal Himself to His followers; He would promise them the Holy Spirit; He would ascend.

His disciples would be left with a charge: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

The end had not yet come.

The price had been paid, but those purchased had not yet been redeemed.

The enemy had been defeated, but he had not yet been vanquished.

In the intervening time, the disciples were given a promise.

“I am with you always, even to the end.”

Redemption was accomplished. The devil’s defeat complete.

But in the meantime, disciples live in a world where redeemed and unredeemed constantly rub shoulder. For now, we live in a world where a defeated enemy still prowls.

Our future is sure. Our present is perilous.

Except for that promise:

“I am with you always, even to the end.”

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

~John 16:33b