“It is Finished!”

Mar 20

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garden praying

Sweating drops of blood, in anguish I prayed,

asleep

While friends sleep in the cool of the night’s shade,

 betrayed

A crowd, a commotion; with a kiss I am betrayed,

crown

Scorn and ridicule; with a crown of thorns and a royal robe I am arrayed,

 stripes

With the shards of a crude whip my body is beaten and flayed,

crucify

“CRUCIFY HIM” came the verdict of the angry brigade,

jesus on cross

Hands and feet nailed to a cross, as a trophy I was displayed,

jesus tomb

“It is finished!” In a dark tomb my body was laid,

 risen jesus

Hell and death defeated; for you the price of sin I paid!

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

About Bill Sweeney

In 1996, at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with ALS. The neurologist gave me 3-5 years to live. 24 years later... :-) I'm completely paralyzed and unable to speak. By God's grace and the great care of my wife, I'm still here. I live to encourage and give hope to others going through difficult times.

Posted on March 20, 2013, in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink. 99 Comments.

  1. optimisticgladness | July 18, 2013 at 10:15 am

    This was so good! Very thoughtful and well done, filled with hope, just like your blog.

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  2. Anonymous | April 12, 2013 at 3:18 pm

    Thank you Brother Bill..How are you

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  3. Freedomborn | April 11, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    Thanks for your calling card Bill, I think of you often as the Spirit brings you to my mind as you remain in my heart, I pray for your healing that God revealed would be a reality, I pray you will accept it as so in Faith, He will not go against your free will, He will not make you, you need to want to be healed so He can heal you. Good to see you continue your Blog, your courage and perseverance is a wonderful witness to many, your healing will be even more so – God is indeed God of the impossiable.

    Few people really understand what Jesus meant when He said it is finished, for something to be finished it has to have a start, what started at the fall, man was trapped in sin, they became a slave to it which brings the sting of Spiritual death and punishment.

    On the cross Jesus was burdened with our sin which separated Him from the Father and this is what it does to us, God sees us from afar but Jesus saved mankind both from the punishment of their past sins and the slavery of sin, so we would be set free and not sin and so have full fellowship with God as part of His family, a Holy Nation.

    John 8:34-36 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

    Jesus paid the price so we could be in God’s eternal family without spot or blemish and so be made white, meaning Holy and blameless but many are still trapped in sin because they are deceived or choose to be, God never goes against our free will but He tells us to reckon ourselves dead to sin, instead people claim they do sin and will continue to sin but are forgiven.

    1John 3: 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous.

    Yes many are still in darkness and so it is not finished for them, they have the Hope but not the reality the same as the old Testament Saints, they are under grace and ar e covered by the blood of Christ but not washed in it, which means they are not sealed by The Holy Spirit or are they Born again ( 1John 3:9 ) they are not perfected in Love and if they are choosing to be sinners ( as a man thinks in his heart, so he is ) then they do not have the mind of Chist, He never chose to sin, He couldn’t, He was perfected in Love as we are to aim to be.

    1 John 4:17-19 Herein is our Love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in Love; but perfect Love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in Love. We Love Him, because He first Loved us.

    They claim they are only human and can’t help sinning, but no Temptation is greater then we can bear, they are denying the Spirit and walking in bondage, they have a form of godliness but not the fullness…how do they get it ….Ask, receive and believe, we have passed from death to life and are no longer shackled, will we enter Heaven paupers or have eternal treasure, it’s our choice God can’t use an unfit vessel for His good works.

    2 Timothy 2:19-21 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

    1 John 4:17-19 Herein is our Love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in Love; but perfect Love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in Love. We Love Him, because He first Loved us.

    2Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in Peace; and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you.

    God bless you Bill and your Loved ones now and always.

    Christian Love from both of us – Anne.

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  4. thelegacyoffaith | April 1, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Thanks for stopping by and liking my post. It truly is finished…all things are new in Christ Jesus!

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  5. newcovenantofgrace | March 30, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    This is wonderfully portrayed! (rhyme not intentional!).

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  6. maryhallrayford | March 30, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    Thank you for the graphic depiction. If His sacrifice does not demonstrate love, I’m not sure anything else will.

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  7. katachriston | March 29, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Wow! God awaken us to the undefinable riches of Jesus Christ…

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  8. GetWithTheProgramPpl | March 28, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    So beautiful. Happy Easter…God bless!:-)

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  9. divinelygrafted | March 27, 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Perfect depiction of the price our Savior paid to give us life abundantly!! Thank you for keeping the spirit of hope alive. Blessings!

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  11. cshowers | March 25, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    Amen – this was absolutely beautifully written, as each picture and each line of the poem aligned together. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. keithietrojan27 | March 24, 2013 at 7:25 pm

    so beautiful!great poem…

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  13. PASTOR DAVIS/MASTER TEACHER | March 24, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    A truly great post my friend. Thank you for the many visits and sharing your Palm Sunday with all of us. May God continue to bless you abundantly.

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  14. sonsothundersonsothunder | March 24, 2013 at 9:38 am

    Thank You Jesus \ 0 / Hosanna \O / Praise Be to You Lord

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  15. Carolyn Hughes | March 23, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    So powerful. So inspiring. Thank you so much.

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  16. sherrimatt | March 23, 2013 at 1:44 pm

    Amen & Amen. Beautiful.

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  17. Learning2Hear | March 23, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    Reblogged this on Hearing His Voice and commented:
    What a wonderful illustration of what Easter is really about. Visit https://unshakablehope.wordpress.com/ to read more of his blog.

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  18. Learning2Hear | March 23, 2013 at 1:20 pm

    Thank you for a wonderful illustration of what Easter is really about. I always enjoy reading your blog. I’ve reblogged this at http://learning2hear.com/

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  19. Heidi Viars | March 22, 2013 at 2:57 pm

    Thank you so much for this post. It’s a wonderful reflection of what Christ did for us. The last line is my favorite!

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  20. Spirit Sisters | March 22, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    Reblogged this on Spirit Sisters and commented:
    Beautiful pictograph of Christ in the Garden!

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  21. Marie | March 22, 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Beautiful pictures and writing. I may have to reblog this on the Spirit Sisters Site.

    Marie

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  22. dvhansen | March 22, 2013 at 8:02 am

    Reblogged this on deannascorner and commented:
    so beautiful it has to be shared.

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  23. Annie B | March 21, 2013 at 11:43 pm

    Reblogged this on Eyes Wide Open and commented:
    Check this awesome post out by my fellow blogger!

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  25. Vincent Sweeney | March 21, 2013 at 4:53 pm

    I truly believe his sacrifice and suffering for us gets deluted in in the traditional Easter celebration. Thank you for this beautiful reminder.

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  26. chemocurls | March 21, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Such a beautiful portrayal of Easter, Bill. Thank you so much for sharing. I’ll think of this when I see the green plastic grass and bunnies that depict Easter in the world. May God bless you. He blesses me through you! Connie

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  27. heavenlyraindrops | March 21, 2013 at 6:54 am

    This one’s gotta be my favorite of yours. I love your poem and the message in photos! Beautiful!

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  28. pattisj | March 20, 2013 at 11:25 pm

    Beautifully done.

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  29. Rene Yoshi | March 20, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    Sobering and humbling. Thank you for posting the poem and images as we look forward to celebrating His resurrection and gift.

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  31. dianelindstrom | March 20, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    Loved reading this poem. THIS is Easter.

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  32. Lori Lara | March 20, 2013 at 6:09 pm

    His love is almost too good to take in. Thank you for posting such a clear message of what Jesus did for us.

    Love to you, Bill.

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  33. Annie B | March 20, 2013 at 5:43 pm

    Beautiful – I am beyond words. May I reblog this?

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  34. garden2day | March 20, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    Smiles 🙂 🙂 🙂 !!! Thank you and take good care…please!!!

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  35. Nancy Ruegg | March 20, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    What a powerful post, Bill. I read tearfully, and yet with great relief and joy at the end. Hell and death have been defeated! My debt of sin has been paid! Eternal life is ours through our loving, forgiving Jesus. Hallelujah!

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  36. PBMom | March 20, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    Bill: You always have such powerful blogs. I appreciate you and feel so blessed to know you.

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  37. gaylorddiaz | March 20, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Wonderful poem and visualizations. I so appreciate your efforts and your posts. May our risen Savior continue to fill you with hope, grace, and joy.

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  38. preacherkeith | March 20, 2013 at 1:45 pm

    Reblogged this on preacherkeith's Blog and commented:
    The author of this blog, Bill has lived with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease since 1996. Most of you know of my connection with Jim “Catfish” Hunter who also had ALS. I’ve come to appreciate Bill and his writing, and today’s offering is especially inspiring as we approach Easter. Thanks Bill for allowing us to share “It is Finished!” with others. God bless you my friend. Bill’s blog is called Unshakable Faith. I encourage you to visit his blog and learn more about him.

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  39. Jessica | March 20, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    I’m always glad to see a post from you. This was a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Easter. Thank you.

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  40. SaintlySages | March 20, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    The moment our Saviour’s life ended, ours had just begun: a life of forgiveness in exchange for repentance, a time of spiritual healing, of resurrection to eternal life.

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  41. A Gripping Life | March 20, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    The atonement is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Thank you for this.
    Lisa

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  42. Danielle Street | March 20, 2013 at 12:46 pm

    Wow! What a powerful reminder of the pain our Savior went through for us! May we continue to thank him every day for the gift of salvation.

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  43. greenlightlady | March 20, 2013 at 11:46 am

    Awesome poem, Bill! What a blessed Savior we have.

    Blessings ~ Wendy

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  44. Seyi sandra | March 20, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Beautiful! Great pictures!! ?It depicts the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Thanks for sharing this!
    🙂

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  46. Kattar | March 20, 2013 at 11:29 am

    Reblogged this on A Wonderful Savior and commented:
    What a wonderful Savior!

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  49. Anonymous | March 20, 2013 at 10:55 am

    It’s beautiful to see that you have captured the Holiness of Jesus’ Resurrection. I’m repulsed by those who relate a fertility goddess and ‘easter’ eggs with what Jesus did for us. God bless!

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