Good Friday (3)

On Wednesday we were reminded of an event that happened over 50 years ago on July 20th, 1969. As the latest manned rocket flight took off for the moon, we recall the first lunar landing. It marked the culmination of a project championed by President Kennedy to put the first man on the moon. It was a space race against the Soviets in response to their early advances in space exploration. The US put the first men on the moon. The Soviets never did but according to one episode of Gilligan’s Island, several cosmonauts did reach that uncharted desert island.

But what did it accomplish? he 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing achieved the primary goal of landing humans on another world and returning them safely to Earth. It secured U.S. preeminence in the Space Race, revolutionized computing and technology, provided invaluable scientific data on the Moon's geology, and demonstrated the potential of human ingenuity. NASA (.gov) +3Key accomplishments of the moon landing include:

Scientific Discovery: Astronauts collected hundreds of pounds of lunar samples and installed scientific instruments to measure the Moon's seismic activity, magnetic fields, and solar wind, according to Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Technological Advancement: The intense engineering demand accelerated developments in modern technology, including digital fly-by-wire systems, computer miniaturization, advanced fuel cells, and improvements in software engineering.

Geopolitical Impact: The successful landing served as a significant victory for the United States in the Cold War, demonstrating national, technological, and industrial superiority over the Soviet Union, according to BBC Sky at Night Magazine.

Space Exploration Capability: It proved that humans could travel to and operate in a different celestial environment, paving the way for future long-term space exploration like the YouTube video about Apollo 11.

Global Inspiration: The mission served as a major cultural milestone that inspired generations of engineers and scientists, according to the BBC. NASA (.gov) +7

The Apollo missions also provided a new perspective of Earth as a fragile, singular home, often credited with fostering the environmental movement, according to BBC Sky at Night Magazine.

I submit that another accomplishment by the US 100 years before that had a more practical result. It was the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. As the Lewis and Clark expedition had demonstrated in the early 1800’s, there was no water route across the mountains. But engineers realized that a railroad route was possible. So two companies (which ones?) laid track toward each other and officially joined in Utah. Since then several other transcontinental rail links have been established as well as roads and highways and, of course, flight. This railroad allowed for the much quicker transfer of people and goods across the west and enhanced its expansion. More people have benefitted from that endeavor than landing a few men on the moon from time to time.

But both accomplishments showed how satisfying it is to finish a major project.

What projects have you been able to finish? PAUSE.

This morning I completed an annual task that I really don’t enjoy doing. I completed, filed, and had accepted my federal income taxes. (State is still pending). I feel good about completing “paperwork” and recall some of the term papers and other class assignments I have done in the past and, of course, over 2000 sermons in the last 40 years.

In premarital counseling, I emphasize how important it is to have personal, couple, and family goals. It is good to look to the future and to work toward a goal so that you can reap the rewards when you complete it.

One of the hobbies I hope to resume in retirement is the building and finish of plastic models. I must admit that I start more than I finish but when I do finish one, I do take a certain amount of pride in looking at what I have accomplished. More important finished projects can include (list)

Finishing the basement.

A remodeling job.

An major task at work.

Spring cleaning.

Lawn mowing.

We can find many ways to find satisfaction in completing a job well done.

As we noted last night, Jesus had a mission to accomplish in his life on earth. The emphasis was on how he looked to his Father for strength to carry out his will and how we need God to strengthen our resolve to carry out the Lord’s will to.

Our emphasis tonight is that Jesus did finish his task.

This is summed up by John in his account of the crucifixion.

Jesus' declaration "It is finished" (John 19:30) on the cross signifies the completion of his redemptive work, fulfilling the plan for humanity's salvation. Using the Greek term tetelestai, this indicates a debt paid in full, the end of the need for daily sacrifices, and victory over sin and death. YouTube +3Key aspects of Jesus' finished work on the cross include:

Payment for Sin: The debt of human sin was completely satisfied, not just partially paid, covering past, present, and future sins.

Completion of Redemptive Mission: Jesus completed the work the Father sent him to do, ensuring that no further sacrifice or additional work is necessary for salvation.

Victory Over Evil: Jesus overcame Satan and the power of sin, triumphing through his suffering.

Perfect Obedience: Jesus lived a perfect life that humans could not, fulfilling the requirement for entering heaven and providing an, "all-sufficient atonement".

Reconciliation and Justification: Believers are made righteous and brought into a right relationship with God, allowing them to approach Him with confidence. YouTube +7

The phrase "It is finished" means believers are intended to live from a place of victory and rest, relying on Jesus' work rather than their own

I was reminded of that this morning when I watched a video of the last sermon Prof. Lindemann ever preached. He also noted that when God finishes a task, it is “well done”. He recalled how when God finished creation he pronounced it “very good”.

The writer to the Hebrews recalls the importance of Jesus’ finished work.

Hebrews 9:23–28 (NIV84)

23 It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 10:11–13 (NIV84)

11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool,

Philippians 2:8–11 (NIV84)

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This is why we call today “Good” Friday. Jesus who had come to do his Father’s will, accomplished it perfectly and won salvation for us.

Easter: Results of having finished it for him and for us.

For Jesus, it was being able to save the world.

For us, we are the one’s who are saved and there is nothing left for us to do but to believe in Jesus.