Devotion - Monday, April 6 - We Love Jesus Because He Has Finished The Work

The week leading up to the celebration of Easter is upon us.  As we prepare for the celebration, let’s consider Jesus’ words to His disciples on the night of His arrest;

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” - John 14:15.

I don’t think Jesus is saying to His disciples, demonstrate that you love me by keeping my commandments.  Rather, I think Jesus is saying to them that the power of their love for Him will enable them to keep His commandments.  The focus is on the power of loving Jesus, the power of the gospel.  The question we will address in the devotions this week is, what compels us to love Jesus.

The first compelling reason is captured in the last words John captures as Jesus dies on the cross.  “When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  (John 19:30) You and I might think of Jesus’ words in terms of our own experiences with a time of struggle - “I made it through this horrible suffering”, “I finished the job” or “I made it to the finish line – done”, a self-focus.  Jesus has more in mind – the redemption of His people (Ephesians 1:7), the complete propitiation (appeasement or payment) of their sin (1 John 4:10), their separation from the Father bridged (Ephesians 2:13), their righteousness established (2 Corinthians 5:21), their new life enabled (Ephesians 2:5).  “It is finished” may be the greatest statement of God’s love for His people ever made.

Questions/Actions:

1. What do you think of when you read Jesus’ last words “It is finished”?  Is it a personal statement to you (fill in your name, I have finished the work of salvation for you and will finish the work of sanctification with you and I will glorify you with me)?
2. In your own words, express to Jesus what you understand He has finished.
3. How does “it is finished” draw your affections and love for Jesus?
4. How does “it is finished” enable you to obey Jesus’ commands?