Sat.’s Devo - It is Finished

Read: 2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13 Absalom went to Ahithophel for advise which was to immediately go after David and his men and only kill David. Then he could bring all his followers back and they would follow him. All the elders agreed, but Absalom wanted to hear what Hushai advised before he made his decision. *** Hushai advised that they gather all Israel and that Absalom lead the army into battle. Absalom liked Hushai’s advise the best, so that was what they planned to do. Ahithophel was so upset that the king had not taken his advise, he went home and killed himself. *** Hushai got word to the priests and they sent the message through Jonathan and Ahimaaz. They finally made it to David who gathered his group and crossed the Jordan that night and went into the wilderness. *** David arrived at Mahanaim where he was greeted by Shobi, Makir and Barzillai who brought provisions for him and his men. Meanwhile Absalom was mobilizing his army. He appointed Amasa to command his army. Amasa was Joab’s cousin and David’s sister’s son. They set up camp in the land of Gilead. *** In John, the soldiers crucified Jesus, then gambled for his seamless robe. (Psalm 22:18) *** Jesus gave his mother to John to take care of as his own mother who took her into his own home. *** Jesus had finished his mission on earth and was now thirsty for God. But when he said he thirsted, they gave him vinegar, just like Psalm 69:21 says, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Jesus tasted the vinegar then said “It is finished” and gave up his spirit. ** It was the day before the Sabbath so everyone had to prepare for it. The Jewish leaders didn’t want Jesus body left hanging on the Sabbath so they had him taken down. Thinking he would still be alive, they went to break his legs so he couldn’t push up to breathe. Jesus was already dead so they didn’t have to break his bones, fulfilling the scriptures (Psalm 34:20). They pierced his side with a spear and blood and water flowed out (Zechariah 12:10). *** Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate’s permission to take Jesus’ body down and put him in his grave. (Joseph’s grave would be emptied just as Joseph in the Old Testament’s grave was emptied and his bones taken to the promised land.) *** Nicodemus came with 75 pounds of spices and his body was covered with the spices and wrapped in the linen cloth. He was placed in a new tomb in a garden. *** Life started in a garden and Jesus’ body was placed in a garden. It would be in a garden that Jesus would appear risen and alive. We are going back to the garden here on earth. Right now we are getting the weeds out of God’s garden in our hearts and in our world. *** Thank you, Jesus for enduring the cross to save us. Thank you for all the suffering you went through to purchase our freedom. Lord, may we learn to live in your garden, in love and awe of you and all you have created for our pleasure. You are a good Father and an awesome God.