There is no rest from my ‘to-do’ list. The list never seems satisfied. It sits as a constant background noise in my life – a persistent feeling that there is still more to do.
Many people have this same feeling when it comes to our relationship with God: a persistent sense that there is still more to do, an uncertainty about whether we have done enough to satisfy God’s demands. Jesus called it a heavy burden. Will there ever be any relief for us?
Well, the good news is: yes, there is. The answer is found in the very last words that Jesus spoke before he died.
In a horrific scene, that is hard to imagine, Jesus was nailed to a cross and left to die. The brutality of crucifixion meant that it did not take long before he was on the edge of death. John records Jesus’ final moments this way in chapter 19:
30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Just three words in English – but three words that bring relief to our heavily burdened hearts. Ever since Adam, humanity has failed to be faithful to God. The Bible records a very long list of people who have made a mess of their relationship with him – a list that includes us.
But not Jesus. Jesus is faithful, completely obedient to his Father. In his complete obedience, Jesus becomes our representative. He does what we could never do. And in his death, he takes upon himself the consequences of our failure.
So, when Jesus cries, “It is finished,” he is not saying that his life is over, but that his work is complete. The debt has been paid. The burden has been lifted. There is nothing left for us to add. His work of bringing us back into a relationship with God to enjoy His never-ending rest.
This means the endless striving can stop. The quiet anxiety – “Have I done enough?” – can finally be silenced. Because in Jesus, it has been done. I pray that you can enjoy a truly restful Easter.