Fulfilled & Finished

This week, in John 19:16-30, we come to the crucifixion of our Lord. The only words we hear from Jesus' lips are three short utterances from the cross. Everything that happens in these verses seems to take place at the hands of men, as the powers of darkness have their way with the Son of God, and together they kill the Author of Life. However, much to the contrary, all that takes place at Calvary is under the sovereign hand of God the Father as he, together with his Son, fulfill what they had planned from before the foundation of the world and finish their loving work of salvation - taking away the sin of the world.
We can read of the cross merely as an historical event which took place 2000 years ago. Or, we can read it and hear it and be drawn to Son of Man as he is lifted up, believe in him, and live today in the finished work of Christ. It is finished! Our sins have been taken away. Our deepest thirst, quenched. Come! Come to the fountain of life and drink freely of the living water that wells up to eternal life.