A Finish and Beginning

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”  A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.  When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!”  Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  - John 19:28–30 

As we approach the New Year, many anticipate new opportunities and the potential for personal growth, while leaving behind previous challenges.  This season brings a renewed sense of optimism regarding what lies ahead.  On a personal note, I found reassurance in a message communicated through my family.  My mother conveyed that she and my brothers were aware of the various events and responsibilities I had been managing from supporting my three adult children through their difficulties to addressing life’s broader challenges alongside my wife.  These experiences have tested us beyond our abilities, and yet we have persevered.  My brother remarked to my mother that my resilience is indicative of my strong faith.  He expressed that only someone with deep belief in God could endure such circumstances.  Receiving this affirmation provided me with a profound sense of reassurance moving forward. 

The transition into the New Year prompts reflection on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice.  The designation "AD," signifying "Anno Domini," marks years following the life of Christ, underscoring an event considered pivotal in history.  Central to this moment are the words "It is finished," which, while referencing His death, carry broader implications.  This event is seen as signaling a new beginning: the resolution of a debt and the possibility of renewal.  Thus, much like the New Year represents an opportunity for renewal, the legacy of Jesus is viewed as an opportunity for a transformed life, which will continue to grow each and every day. 

This New Year should be met with the opportunity God grants us to grow spiritually.  We often enter a new year carrying both hope and weariness.  We want growth, but we also feel the weight of what the last year demanded from us.  We want renewal, but we know how quickly resolutions fade.  And yet, the words Jesus spoke at the cross provide something far deeper than motivation.  They offer us a foundation. 

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He was not announcing defeat.  He was declaring completion.  The work required for our forgiveness, restoration, and reconciliation with God was fully accomplished.  Nothing was left undone.  Nothing was half-paid.  Nothing remained uncertain. 

That changes how we approach growth in the new year.  We do not grow in Christ in order to earn His love.  We grow because we already have it.  We do not strive to become accepted.  We grow because we have been accepted.  Paul echoes this when he writes, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  Growth is not about becoming someone God will finally approve of.  Growth is about becoming more fully who He has already declared us to be. 

From Jesus’ divine perspective, the cross was not only a moment of suffering.  It was a moment of selfless love.  He saw every failure we would carry into future years.  He saw every struggle, every doubt, every moment we would feel like we were falling short.  And He chose to finish the work anyway.  That means our growth is not fueled by fear of falling behind but instead by gratitude for what has already been done. 

So, what does growing in Christ look like this year?  It looks like practicing trust instead of control.  It is returning to prayer not as a last resort but as a first response.  It is choosing obedience in small, quiet ways that no one else sees.  It allows Scripture to shape our thinking more than culture does.  And it looks like extending the same grace to others that Christ has extended to us. 

Growth is rarely dramatic.  It is usually quiet, consistent, and unseen.  Roots grow before fruit appears.  The Spirit works before we notice change.  But over time, we become more patient, more compassionate, more anchored, and more aligned with the heart of Christ. 

And we do not grow alone.  We grow in community.  We grow spiritually as we love our neighbors, forgive when it is hard, listen when it would be easier to speak, and serve when it would be easier to protect our own time and comfort.  As Paul reminds us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). 

This new year is not about trying harder.  It is about trusting deeper.  It is about living from the finished work of Christ rather than striving to prove ourselves worthy of it.  It is about allowing what Jesus completed on the cross to shape who we are becoming in everyday life.  Because “it is finished” does not mean the story is over.  It means the foundation is secure.  And from that foundation, we are free to grow.  Let us find a simple practice this week that reminds us we are growing from grace an not for it.   

In what area of your life are you still trying to earn what God has already given you?  Who is one person you can encourage or serve this week as an expression of Christ’s love?  My prayer is that we would grow this year not from pressure but from peace rooted in what Jesus has already finished, and our new growth has just begun.  Amen.