If we focus on God’s promises, we have hope that inspires us to be persistent even when it is hard to be optimistic because our attention is on the reward rather than the difficulty so we endure. Our mind is constantly at work finding a solution and our heart acts on these solutions until there is accomplishment because we approach all the activities of our day with the joyful awareness of God’s ability to bring a victorious finish.

Reading today about Jesus’ finished work in John 19:17-30 that brings a victorious finish for all who accept His sacrifice, Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS (v. 19). The chief priests complained saying the notice should say that Jesus claimed to be king of the Jews (v. 21).  Pilate answered them in verse 22.

“What I have written, I have written.”

The significance of the statement “KING OF THE JEWS” remained. Jesus devoted His life to every detail of God’s plan as laid out in the Old Testament. Jesus demonstrated poise under tremendous stress. His life was freely given up as the sacrifice for you and me. Jesus’ work was finished. He fulfilled many prophecies found in scripture and finished the redemptive work given to Him by God. The debt for sin had been paid.

“This day with You God, we have read the historical record that shows us that You love us so much that You sent Jesus to die for us. The work of Jesus was finished on the cross so that Your plan laid out in the Old Testament is carried out. By accepting Jesus in our heart, we have a fresh start. We can step ahead to an awesome future by witnessing amazing things, storing them in our core, and sharing them with others. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”