CAN GOOD EVER OVERCOME EVIL?

SCRIPTURE:
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished;” 
and He bowed His head and gave up the ghost.  
(John 19:30)

MEDITATION:
Have you watched a movie and enjoyed it so much that you hated to see it end?
Or maybe you watched a game when your favorite team 
was playing so well that you hated hear the sound of the final horn.
Perhaps your child, or a friend was performing 
and their routine was so outstanding that you wanted it to last much longer.

But what about those times when things aren’t going so well?
When the movie is bad, or your favorite team is getting trounced, 
or your child is messing up a lot on a routine that they know well.
During those times, you just want it to be over, don’t you?
We enjoy watching good things, but we don’t enjoy seeing bad things happen, 
and when they do, we just want them to end.

Sin and death are two things that people would classify as bad.
However, Jesus came to earth in human form 
to cover sin with his blood and to defeat death through His resurrection.
In order for Jesus to defeat sin and death, He had a destiny with the cross.
He had the option of avoiding the cross, 
but He was obedient to the plan of His Father.

His ministry up until that time was to spread the good news.
Then it was time for Him to make an unselfish sacrifice for the good of mankind.
We can read and see that He dreaded His own death, but He knew 
there would be no victory over sin and death if He was disobedient.
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, 
“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not 
as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39)

As He felt death approaching, He knew His mission was complete, 
thus His last words were, “It is finished”.
When Jesus took His final breath, God’s plan of redemption was completed.  
That finished work gives us unequaled joy, 
and we can look forward to the good things available for us.

ACTION:
Have you happily received the gift of salvation that Jesus made possible?
If you haven’t, then why not?
For God’s Son to die for you is evidence that He has something wonderful 
for you and everyone else.

It is your responsibility to receive God’s gift of salvation, and 
to change your life from following anything of this world, to following Him.
That means that you submit to His Will for your life, 
instead of relying on, and following your own will.  
Jesus said, "...not as I will, but as you will".

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, what an awesome and unfathomable sacrifice Your 
Son, Jesus made for me! Through Your plan and His death, sin can be 
defeated in my life, and I can look forward to a blissful life on the other 
side of death. From the depth of my heart, I thank You for what Jesus did 
for me. Help me to turn from the things of this world and turn to a new 
life controlled by the Holy Spirit. Show me how I can participate in Your 
earthly ministry, and encourage me to make whatever sacrifices I need to 
make, in order to be obedient to You.”