Thank you for taking time to visit, and I hope I am even a tiny bit helpful as I have been helped and blessed by so many others. I have been doing Calligraphy since teens, and card making for many years as well. In 1990 I delighted in the joys of stamping with ink and embossing after a trip to Cairns, Qld. In 2009 I discovered the brayer, 2010 the Cuttlebug, also have now taking to reading up on crafting blogs and lo! Here I am, on one of my own.

I live on the coast of eastern Australia. I am a Christian. I trusted in the LORD down here at the beach, amazingly it is not far from where I now live. It was over 50 years ago, after a Beach Mission Service at the age of 12 years

Saturday 26 March 2016

"It is Finished!" Finished work - once, and for all!


It's Easter time, and really it's not about the bunny, but the lamb..
The Lamb of God... as John the Baptist said of Jesus: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world".
Two verses (along with others but two main ones) repeat in my mind at Easter time.
The first verse is John 19:30
{Credit: excerpt Dayspring post as coincidentally they also spoke on "it is finished".}
 
Jesus said, “It is finished.” 
With that, He bowed his head and gave up His spirit

"I had read this Scripture in John 19 so many times – the last words Jesus spoke on the day He was crucified. There’s such gravity in that moment. Imagining the Son of God, our Savior, with His battered and broken body nailed to a cross, stirs up a sense of both sadness and shame. ...
 Most every time .. my focus was on what happened, the events themselves, and less so on those three simple words He spoke at the end: “It is finished.”
A few months ago, Pastor Rodney Holmstrom spoke on this Scripture before a large congregation. He challenged each of us to really consider those words. In that moment, he said, Christ was not simply stating the obvious - that His earthly life was over. He was declaring that our sins were forgiven once and for all, their price paid by His sacrifice."
"It is finished" last of Jesus' seven sayings on the cross. ... 
It meant that salvation was bought! paid for in full!
 The battle against sin's punishment was won, once for all.
By one man's sin (Adam) sin entered the world,
"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin". I John 1:7b
His blood bought our salvation..
We can never ever earn it ourselves.
... being a member of a church, a religion
or any other thing we do, it all is as nothing - it will not buy your salvation.
Only one way through the perfect Son of God.

(This is a very early text done in 1992, executed in water colours, ink and 23 carat Gold leaf. I chose this verse because it was the verse that lead to my salvation (see here) .. and it is pivotal in my heart. I now have another layout hanging on our loungeroom wall.)
The second verse that rings in my heart at Easter time - after Jesus cry of
"It is finished!"
 is the angel's saying at the empty tomb:
"He is not here, for He is risen as he said."
What a joy it is to serve a Risen Saviour! Our God is not dead ... He lives ..
And how do I know He lives? ... as the hymn says "He lives within my heart!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF6aBDS3drA
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this post. I pray it blesses you – for how richly I am blessed as a result of this gift of salvation at a young age.
I did not know unless someone had told me, someone had asked me.
So this is why I share it with you today. Praying for you.
Shaz in Oz.x

12 comments:

kiwimeskreations said...

Wonderful post Shaz - I do love those words - such a triumphant cry!!
Blessings
Maxine

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Thanks Shaz, God blesses you :)

Betsy said...

Wonderful post Shaz. You write as I would love to be able to. You put into words the love I have for our Saviour. He lives within my heart! Rejoice, rejoice oh Christian! Happy Easter Shaz. He Is Risen!
Blessings,
Betsy

cuilliesocks said...

What a work of art Shaz, your calligraphy is amazing especially using those fabulous colours, Kate x

Anne said...

Halleluiah! He is risen indeed! I have been listening to Discover the Word on ODB, it has been a real blessing leading up to this wonderful celebration. Have a joyous Easter celebration mon amie! xxx

MaryH said...

Shaz, I really enjoyed revisiting the beautiful calligraphy work. Even more, I enjoyed the thoughts shared in this insightful post. Since early Friday, I've been thinking of the trials and horrors undergone for our sake. I think we modern folks cannot truly imagine the suffering and shame of these events. My mind cannot even begin to imagine the agony He underwent for us. Guess I also had never truly considered the impact of that last statement either, so thank you so very much for reminding me - that MY sins have been paid for, even the ones I continue to commit. I am owned, and so thankfully so! At such an awesome & unbelievable price & sacrifice; and I will never be worthy. Nonetheless, I am so thankful He felt I was. Big Hugs and hope your Easter was pleasant. TFS

Debbie Harris said...

Such a beautiful and well thought out post, Shaz.
I appreciated what Pastor Holmstrom said, in that Christ was declaring that our sins were forgiven once and for all. Oh that is so true, and praise the Lord for His obedience in going to that cross to bare our shame. Can you imagine having to "bare" the shame, the guilt that must have weighed so heavily upon His body and heart.
Such love...

Praise and glory to our Risen Lord~~Debbie

Berina RGA said...

Such a beautiful thought! And yes, we serve a risen savior! It gives me goosebumps whenever I think of it. Thanks for sharing the hymn. It's one of my favorites. Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I'm a new follower of yours. Hope you had a blessed Easter.
-Berina
Moxie Craftie

Berina RGA said...

Thank you so much for swapping GDT spots with me :)
-Berina
Moxie Craftie

Brenda said...

What a beautiful post Sharon! It is always good to be reminded that our sins were paid for my Christ. And to think that He continues to pay for our sins even now. Well it is just so humbling to say the least. It is finished! How amazing...Your calligraphy is just beautiful as is the finished framed verse. What better way to decorate but with God's word, to see it each and everyday?! Yeah, I am loving this post in all ways. I love this idea and wish I was as talented as you are with my calligraphy skills. Mine are next to non existent. lol Hugs, Brenda

G Peplow said...

Thank you for your visit and kind words and I wish you happiness and joy in your faith :D Hugs Gay x

CherylQuilts said...

Oh, dearest Shaz, I praise God our Father for sending Jesus and that Jesus gave His life for me! And, yes, He lives - the true realization that He is our Savior - forever! What a beautiful hymn that I remember singing as a younger girl in church at our sunrises services on Easter! Oh, how glorious! I love the beautiful calligraphy piece with the Scripture that led to your salvation. What a precious one indeed! Hugs, sweet friend! I love you! xoxo

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