Not Finished Yet - I Am a Work In Progress - Be Patient With Me

It absolutely amazes me Jesus’ behavior from his arrest in the garden of Gethsemane to his death on the Cross. Jesus didn’t defend himself, he gave up his privileges being one with God, he gave up his powers and endured the rejection, denial, pain, contempt and in the end death for me and you.

Though he was God, de did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal death on a cross. ~ Philippians 1:6-8 (NLT)

Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? ~ Matthew 26:53 (NLT)

Jesus gave up all his privileges and powers, so that we can set be free and become children of God. He could of … just ask for thousands of angels … what a show would of that have been. He could of prove it that he is the Son of God to all those who didn’t believed him. We know that everything was created in him, Jesus, and for him. He was there at the creation when “Let it be” was mentioned and the entire universe instantly was created.   We just don’t understand what does it mean to be God, have the supernatural powers to strike with one word and all would be death … yet, Jesus gave up everything, he didn’t even responded to the accusations against him. He always affirmed his authority. Whenever he was asked if he really was the Son of God, he would affirm their questions. He never denied his authority, but didn’t defend himself.

While mostly in his trial he was quite, Jesus had seven very important sentences which show us and teach us deep Godly principles.

1. Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing

Jesus said:”Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing”. And the soldiers gabled for his clothes by throwing dice. ~ Luke 23:34(NLT)

Up to his last breath Jesus showed love, mercy and forgave all of those who were involved in his crucifixion. Not including the tremendous pain he felt, Jesus suffered a total embarrassment too because he was fully naked at the cross because the roman soldiers took his raiment.

To be honest, those people really didn’t know what they were doing. Yes, they knew that they killed an innocent man, but they really didn’t believe that he really was the Son of God.

I find myself sometimes praying this prayer. God please forgive them, they don’t get it what they say and do. How often we hear people mocking God’s name, making fun of him … they really don’t get it, they really don’t understand who God is.

Questions: Have you ever been in a circumstance when people lied in your face and you just stood silent because you realized that they are so deceived that they really don’t get it. How do you felt in those situations? What is your reaction when people falsely accuse you?

Jesus was stripped naked, all in pain physical and emotional: his friends left him, no one, not even Peter stood beside him, the religious leaders are falsely accusing him, after hours of pain and anguish he is crucified to the cross … in the most un-human conditions Jesus begs the Father not to count their actions against them, to forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing

2. I assure you; today you will be with me in paradise.

And Jesus replied:”I assure you; today you will be with me in paradise”. ~ Luke 23:43 (NIV)

Jesus showed his authority and power over death, he cast immediate salvation towards the thief that believes on him. He gives assurance to the thief that they will meet in the paradise after their death. Salvation comes by faith. If you believe in Jesus Christ you will be saved. And some might wait to their last breath to turn to Jesus, but even in the last minute you can be saved if you believe. The question is do you know which is your last minute?

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” ~ Acts 16:31 (NLT)

Jesus while on the cross, he extends salvation. He came to bring us back home to God and in his last minutes, he offers salvation, offers the way through him to God.

Question: Have you ever been on the bedside of someone who goes through tremendous pain, and suffering or maybe not even physical pain, but have you been close to people who go through really painful circumstances, yet they are the ones who can bring friends to God, just by watching their response in the heartbreaking circumstances? Sometimes those who seem to need some encouragement are the ones who encourage more? Being close to God gives you a different outlook on death or pain, and heartbreaking circumstances. Those around you are watching you closely and our response in those situations might cause others to believe in God. So never curse and waste your pain. God can use them to reach others. God used Jesus’ most devastating moments to bring salvation to all, maybe the first was the thief who realized, that he is a sinner and Jesus is the Son of God, and only he can save him.

3. Dear woman, here is your son

When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her:”Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple:”Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. ~ John 19:26-27

Jesus showed mercy on his earthly mother Mary, he assigned the apostle John to take care of his mother. Likewise, we should love our parents and take care of them. Jesus came and gave up his life for our eternal life, but not just for our eternity. Jesus cares about our well being while we are here on the earth.

Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? ~ Romans 8:32

In the Jewish customs, sons were the providers for their parents. If a woman didn’t have son, it meant she didn’t have a provider for her old age. Men would often pass away earlier then the women and sons would take over the responsibility to care for their mothers.

Jesus shows us that while he was breathing his last breaths he took care of his mother. It was almost like making his will. Jesus made sure, that when he will be gone his mother will be cared for. Have you ever wondered why Jesus didn’t picked one of his own brothers? Why on the cross? Well Jesus knew that he will be raised. He knew that he would have had some other opportunity to make his final arrangements.

I often wonder why he didn’t choose one of his brothers. Maybe, just maybe because he knew them well enough to know who would be the best provider for his mom?

Questions: How do you treat your parents? Family members? Do you make arrangements to know that those who are put in your care have the best while you are here and when the times comes when you have to leave?

I worked as an Insurance agent for many years. I can’t stretch enough how important is to have a life insurance for protecting your loved once … if something would happen. And a will which goes with it. God put some people in your life to take responsibility for them, do you do your best in this field?

4. Eloi, Eloi, Lema Sabachtani? My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice” Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachtani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”~ Mark 15:34

This is the fulfillment of Psalms 22:1. God could of saved his Son from that very moment, but because He love us so much, he offered his own Son to save us from everlasting punishment so we can have an everlasting life upon accepting Christ as our Savior.

Jesus was abandoned by the Father so we never have to experience loneliness. We are forgiven because Jesus was forsaken; we are alive because he died. What an exchange. God did it all, Jesus gave it all.  One thing we will NEVER know – this abandonment what Jesus experienced on the cross. If you accept God’s salvation, if you believe in Jesus Christ you will NEVER be alone. Even in the most difficult or most lonely moments of your life you will have Jesus with you. You might feel alone and lonely and rejected, but that’s just a feeling, while Jesus was rejected by the Father. God turned from his son. When Jesus became sin by carrying all our sins, the Father turned from him. Jesus was punished for our sins, rejected by the Father for our sin. To make a way for us, Jesus was forsaken.

If you ever feel lonely, forsaken you have to remember that you are not alone. Jesus knows how you feel and he promised he will never leave you.

And be sure of this: I am with you ALWAYS (emphasis mine), even to the end of the age. ~ Matthew 28:20

5. I am Thirsty

Jesus knew that his mission was no finished and to fulfill Scriptures he said:”I am thirsty”- John 19:28

This is also the fulfillment of Psalm 69:21. Our LORD JESUS Christ was physically exhausted here. Some people argue about the fact that Jesus was God and with his mighty strength he had more capability to go through all he had to go through. I totally disagree with that. Jesus gave up his privilege as God’s son. He endured really harsh physical pain and exhaustion. He was thirsty.

Jesus knows what it means to be thirsty. On the cross Jesus was physically and spiritually thirsty too. He was thirsty for God who abandoned him. God made us and deep in our core of human being we have a deep desire for God. Often we might not verbalize it, we might not even know it … but God made us that we thirst and desire him. And we will never be fully satisfied with anything in this life until we don’t receive God in our life. That place – that desire can be filled ONLY by God. People are trying hard to fill God’s place with many other things such as position, money, goods, drugs, drinks, fashion, and the list can go on. People changes hobbies, change religions … but nothing, absolutely nothing will satisfy your inner thirst for God.

For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.~ Psalms 107:9

But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life. ~ John 4:14

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty ~ John 6:35 (NLT)

And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. ~ Revelation 21:6 (NLT)

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. ~ Revelation 22:17 (NLT)

As you can see, Jesus’ final words carry amazing depth for our generation too. If you thirst him, just come and he will give you eternal life.

6. It is FINISHED!

When Jesus had tasted it, he said:”It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. ~ John 19:30 (NLT)

The mission was accomplished. Jesus finished. He made a way back to the Father. There is nothing more we could ever do. Jesus did it ALL.

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”   I said, “Here I am. Send me.” ~ Isaiah 6:8

Jesus came and became human to redeem us and he accomplished his mission. You and I will never leave this earth until we will not finish our mission. We too are here for a purpose. To glorify God in everything we do. Your life matters to God. God has a special purpose with your life. Are you living a purpose driven life? Are you living for his glory or it’s all about your glory?

7. Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands.

Then Jesus shouted:”Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands”. And with those words he breathed his last. ~ Luke 23:46 (NLT)

Until his death, Jesus showed his strong and unmovable faith and trust for the FATHER. This is what GOD is expecting from us.

Just because you are a child of God, doesn’t necessary mean that you will never face hardship or you will not face persecution. Being God’s child is not what many so called prosperity gospel preachers try to sell you – a life without problems. The truth is when you become a child of God the enemy will go crazy and put you in situations that will question everything you believe in … BUT … at the end who do you trust the most?

While you will go through different season in life, facing different circumstances remember these seven principles Jesus conveyed on the most difficult times of his life:

1. Forgive those who hurt you. Some might not even realize what they do.

And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. ~ Matthew 6:12

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ~ Matthew 6:14

If Jesus called for forgiveness on the cross and he forgave us, we don’t have a choice but forgive those who sin against us.

2. Your home is not this earth. Jesus paid a high price for your eternity. 
By faith you are saved and this is not your home. Don’t get too cozy and fall in love with this world.


Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.~ 1 Peter 2:11

3. God cares about you. Jesus showed his care for his mom. Trust me he cares about you too a lot.

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. ~ Luke 12:7

God loves you so much and cares about you deeply. Even when you go through difficult times remember that you are really valuable and he cares. And as Jesus made arrangements for his mom, the same way he makes arrangements for your well being and provisions while you are here on earth too. And in the main time he prepares a place for you in eternity.

4. You are NEVER on your own, you are NEVER alone.
Jesus promised that he will be with you always. Trust him. He knows what it means to be rejected and you will never go through life by yourself.

5. When you thirst him he will satisfy your needs.
6. You can never ever do anything that God would love you more. 
He finished it all. He loves you.


You are not a surprise for him. He died for ALL your sins. ALL. Not only for the sins you did before you meet him. Jesus died for all your sins. No matter what you did in you past, you have a bright future with him. All you have to do accept his gift. Accept his forgiveness. Invite him in your life.

7. No matter how your circumstances look like – ALWAYS trust Jesus.