Sometimes I think I don’t do a very good job of staying on top of this time of year. Nothing’s taken off “the plate” . . . but lots gets added . . . and the challenge is to keep it all going. The calendar gets a bit busier . . . the to do list gets a bit longer . . . and time seems to fly by much faster. Invariably, I find myself with things mostly done . . . but not quite. At any given time, there always seems to be a number of loose ends to tie up. I tend to find myself in a scramble trying to “get it all together” as the celebration of Christ’s birth approaches. Maybe that’s why I’m struck afresh by the completeness of Christ’s work as I read of His death this morning. In Jesus . . . there are no loose ends.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to His mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
(John 19:28-30 ESV)

“It is finished!” Are there three more assuring words?

When it comes to the foundation of our salvation, there are no loose ends. It is finished.

The gospel of grace is the good news of a finished work. He who knew no sin becoming sin for us . . . the Lamb of God offered once for all as the atoning sacrifice for all sin, for all time . . . the wages of sin born fully by Him in those hours of darkness on the cross, . . . that all who would believe, might know the reality of the rest found in “no condemnation” (Rom. 8:1). Done! No loose ends.

Oh, we have an enemy who would cause us to doubt the efficacy of Christ’s work on the cross . . . wanting us to live under the bondage of a lie that some of salvation is yet dependent on our ability to earn God’s favor. Wanting us to buy into the lie that there are still pieces to be put in place when it comes to Christ’s redeeming work. That, apart from our ability to step it up or enter into a deeper blessing, something is lacking . . . something is left undone by Christ through the cross.

But, declare the Scriptures, Christ did not bow His head, nor did He give up His spirit, until He knew “that all was now finished.” All. . . . Finished. . . . No loose ends.

Might be a bit more scrambling still to be done as I prepare to celebrate His birth . . . but no more to be done to secure my salvation as I rest in the finished work of His once for all sacrifice . . . and in the assurance of the promise’s fulfillment given through His resurrection.

No loose ends when it comes to my salvation.

To God be all the glory! Amen?