"Paid In Full!"

 "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 KJV)

  "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus." (Romans 3:21-26 NLT)

 In a nutshell, this bowing of the head, was an Amen! While others would lift their heads up, gasping for one more breath, with no such luck, they would die and then heads would drop. Jesus, have completed what He came to do, bowed His head, as if the curtain was closing, and gave up His life. 

 We know from the other Gospel's that there were several things that took place right after Jesus died; some of which have been researched as fact, as recorded in history records. The body of Christ was now just an empty vessel; Jesus was paying a visit to all those waiting in Paradise; some of them, with their cards maxed out, waiting for the chance to get their debts paid off! 

 There are various ways I have heard this story go, but the best way I see it happening, was Jesus teaching and showing them all the lines between those dots. For three days, Jesus hung out with all of those Old Testament Saints; telling them about heaven and all of the houses waiting for them there, when He enters His glory. 

 Yes, it might seem hard to believe, but it isn't hard to receive! That says, When you believe it, and receive it as the truth, then you really believe it, because you know it is the truth, and it makes you a new person! If there is anything that makes you fall away, it was most likely there all along, and you never really truly believed you received new life. 

 I know that I will get some kicks for that, some people feel differently, but I am just being truthful. We only really hold onto the sins we like; but sooner or later we must make ourselves believe: It is the righteousness of Christ Jesus that has given me new life, not anything to do with my righteousness! 

 I have determined that I will probably sin, up to that time when I bow my head and die; but in the meantime, I will do my very best to endure; for whatever that's worth...

"We do this be keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin." (Hebrews 12:2-4 NLT)