He Has Done It!

Dear Friends:

As we reflect on the tremendous sacrifice our Savior made on our behalf this Easter season, we are deeply and sincerely humbled by His death and yet we rejoice with thankful hearts at His resurrection. Jesus, as fully God and fully man, was obedient to the Heavenly Father even to the point of death on the Cross (See Philippians 2:5-11 and especially verse 8). Death could not hold Him. On the third day, He rose again, conquered sin and death, and was exalted to the highest place. He has done it!

One powerful moment in the Easter narrative is found in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34 when about three in the afternoon, Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus was expressing His pain and His suffering while on the cross. Some would teach that God abandoned Jesus and that the Father rejected His Son. But, when you consider His statement in its proper context, a deeper and more beautiful truth is revealed. What the devil meant for evil was actually a fulfillment of the Master’s plan of salvation.

Judaism was an oral culture. People memorized the Scripture as part of normal life. The people at the foot of the cross would have understood immediately that Jesus’ statement was actually a quote from the opening line of Psalm 22. His meaning was the entirety of Psalm 22.  While it appears on the surface that He was struggling with ignominious defeat, this was actually a declaration of victory to the glory of His Heavenly Father. He has done it!

In Psalm 22, King David expressed his cry of desperation and struggle with faith and fear as he was surrounded by his enemies. Yet, he declared his hope and trust in his Heavenly Father. He knew that his victory in his day would bring hope and inspiration for future generations. David ended the Psalm with “He has done it!” God’s plan from the beginning was being fulfilled. God’s will was accomplished. God received the glory!

Psalm 22 was a foreshadowing of Christ’s death on the cross. While Jesus cried out to the Heavenly Father, what He was actually declaring was that God was in control. His plan was in action and being fulfilled. It was God who is victorious. God received the glory. “He has done it!”

Once again, I thank you for your partnership with your faithful prayer and financial support. Together, we use the Internet to meet people at their point of need, present Jesus as the Answer, and connect them with our loving Savior. When they receive the message and follow Jesus then their lives are transformed for eternity. This is entirely possible because “He has done it!”

This Easter season, let’s continue to love God for what He did for us and the life He has given us. Let’s continue to love others as an expression of Divine Love. Let’s declare His message boldly, give generously, and pray without ceasing, so that everyone, everywhere will understand the power of the cross and the joy of His resurrection. It is all for His glory!

He has done it!

Blessings,

Mark

Dr. Mark Flattery
Network211 President