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Debt Free

Debt Free
Words of Faith 3-27-17
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
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John 19
[28] Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." [29] A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. [30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus was completely aware of everything that was going on around Him. He was aware of every act done to Him. He was aware that a gradual series of prophecies was being fulfilled moment by moment and act by act.
Jesus knew that near the end a raging thirst would come upon Him. There were physiological reasons for this. The loss of blood and exposure to the weather had sapped away the water from His body. There was a prophetic reason for this as well. Psalm 69:21 predicted: "They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst."
The soldiers gave Jesus a bit of wine vinegar in a sponge. Lest we think they were suddenly moved by compassion, this practice was likely a practice to quiet the victims. The sour wine was a strong astringent that would contract the throat muscles and prevent the condemned victim from crying out with pain.
What the soldiers did not know was that the branch of hyssop they chose created a final stunning image. The hyssop stalk was the plant used in Egypt to mark the doors of the Israelites with the blood of the Passover lamb. It was this blood covering that caused the angel of death to pass over the houses of those who were obedient to apply the blood. Hyssop was used in the Passover ceremonies (Ex. 12:22). Putting the vinegar-soaked sponge on the end of a hyssop plant stalk points to Jesus dying as the true Lamb at Passover.
When He had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. The word used here is the perfect tense ‘tetelestai’. It describes a completely finished task or the final pay off a debt. It was a word used in accounting to show that all payments had been made and all liens satisfied.
Nothing further needed to be done. He had finished the task He came to do. Jesus' act was voluntary and confident. He had discharged perfectly the Father's purpose and was leaving the scene of his human struggle.
When Jesus "bowed His head and gave up his spirit." It could also be translated "he laid his head to rest and dismissed his spirit." Jesus retained consciousness and command of himself till the very end. Nothing was ever taken from Him. He was never in a place of defeat. He chose even the moment of His departure from His incarnate life.
Have you applied the blood of the Passover Lamb? We do this by faith, trusting in the work of Jesus upon the cross.
Are you debt-free? In the financial system of the world, this is quite a wonderful goal, but what about in the moral system of the universe? Are you debt-free? You can be.
Jesus deliberately did all the work. Paid every bill. Cleared every lien. If only you will trust the work He did for you on the cross. Are you a believer in Jesus? As you go about your day today, give thanks that you are debt-free. Have you been close to believing? Today may be your first day of freedom.

Lord Jesus, thank You. Thank You for completing all the payment necessary for my sin debt. Thank You for setting me free. Thank You for clearing all liens. Thank You. In Jesus’ name.