John 19:30b Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Today is the day that is recognized as the day Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified, and died. It matters not whether today is that actual date or not. That the event occurred is what matters.

Two thousand years ago, on crucifixion day, all seemed to be lost. Jesus Christ was dead. The sun had gone black that day, earthquakes had rocked the city, people long dead had been seen walking around, and rumor had it that the Temple veil had ripped in two exposing the Holy of Holies.

The disciples had scattered in defeat. Their King was dead. Satan (who knew perfectly well who Jesus was) had, for the moment, successfully ruined God's plans (or so he thought). He had killed the Son of God. He had achieved his goal to be like the Most High. Even Jesus was no match for him.

Think of what really happened. The Son of God had sacrificed Himself. God had been forsaken by God. God had punished Himself through the Person of Jesus to pay for sins He had never committed. And now the Son of God was dead and in a tomb.

Jesus, who can never die, was dead. God who could never be less in any way, turned His back on Himself. Jesus, Son of God, God Incarnate, the Everlasting by whom the entire universe is held in place would be resurrected though He never ceased to exist.

Now friends, my point is not to whip up a theological debate. I realize some of those statements could be nitpicked pretty easily. My intention is not to teach you hardcore theology today.

My intent is to get you to think past the surface events concerning the death of Jesus Christ. I want you to move past the "Bible story" mentality and really immerse yourself in the events of Jesus death. Think of who He was. He knew in eternity past this event would transpire. Does that not blow your mind?

Think about what He did, what He thought while doing it, how he acted, what His Father must have been feeling. What were the angels doing? How about the demons? Think of Jesus one minute after He "died". Satan obviously didn't know he had just fulfilled God's plan instead of ruining it. Did the angels in heaven know?

What about Moses, Elijah, Enoch and the Old Testament saints? Did they know what was going on? Could they see what was happening?

On this day, 2000 years ago, sinful wicked mankind had murdered the perfect Lamb of God. And the Lamb went to the slaughter willingly to save the same world that hated and crucified Him.

Think on that. And this Sunday, think all over again what it means that Jesus rose from the grave to save YOU.

O God, You gave Your Son that we might live. Now may we live that Your Son might be glorified. Amen

Contemplation: Does the death of Jesus produce any emotion in you? The single most important week in history brought the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. How much do you know about it, think about it, meditate on it and share it with others? How does that reflect on your opinion of Jesus sacrifice?

Application: The events of Jesus death and resurrection should saturate every fiber of your being. If they do not, ask God to illumine the importance of it in your heart.

1. What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
2. What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
3. What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?