When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
—John 19:30

An ICE raid.

Half a mile from my house. People who had served me lunch two days earlier, marched into vans—in chains.

Suddenly, all the horrible things I’d been reading about pierced my personal bubble, and I had no defense left to muster.

I just… gave up.

Is that what Jesus did? It sounds like Jesus muttered, “That’s it. I’m finished,” and then just plain gave up.

What if Jesus didn’t have to die on that cross? Maybe he just got tired of the constant battle. Maybe he decided that between Roman occupation, religious hypocrisy, and even his own disciples rejecting him—it was just time to throw in the towel.

That’s kind of how I feel. Is that okay?

Forgive the blasphemy, but seriously… I’ve been in ministry eight times longer than Jesus was. Could JC really begrudge me saying, “Put a fork in me, I’m done”?

I mean, has it been worth it? For either of us?

I know, that’s a grim thought. But I’ve had those days, when I’ve wondered: Did the world change for the better after all Jesus gave?

It certainly doesn’t seem like it, given all my efforts.

Did Jesus enter Holy Week fed up and tired of the struggle? Personally, I wouldn’t blame him for throwing in the towel.

Would Jesus blame me if I did the same?

Okay, I’m calming down a bit. Maybe I need to read that verse again.

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” he wasn’t saying, “I can’t go on.” The word actually means completed. As in: “Phase One is completed. The seeds of the Good News have been planted.”

And when it says Jesus gave up, it wasn’t about quitting. It was his spirit, returning to God. Remember: “Into thy hands I commit my spirit”?

Jesus’ earthly journey was only the beginning—the beginning—of the birth pangs of the reign of God. Easter, the road to Emmaus, the Great Commission—they all point to Christ, committed as ever.

But that doesn’t mean it was easy, even for him.

One of my favorite verses is Matthew 17:17. Jesus comes down from the mountain, sees his disciples stumbling over themselves, and mutters,

“You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you?”

That might be the most human thing Jesus ever said.

He spoke those words as he began his journey to Jerusalem. He knew the craziness he would be facing—but nevertheless, he persisted.

Jesus never gave up. And neither should we. Even when it feels like all is lost, the worst word is never the last word.

I haven’t forgotten that raid down the street. I still grieve it. But I’m not giving up. Jesus encourages me to keep going.

I truly appreciate that. But I have to admit, what matters most today is the reminder that occassionally

even Jesus needed…

to vent about it.

Thanks for reading. Have a great week,

Mitch