‘saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” ‘  Luke 24:34 (NKJV)

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  John 8:36 (NKJV)

Words cannot express how truly AMAZING it is that we serve a RISEN, LIVING and RULING God. As I have meditated on the resurrection throughout this week, that phrase has resonated through my thoughts, “He is risen indeed.” As I have considered this, what I realized is that our God does not do anything half-way. 

With this in mind, I have dug a little deeper into this simple, yet powerful and meaningful word – “indeed.“

Here is what I found – 

INDEED

Ontós – truly, really, indeed, certainly

Original Word: ὄντως

Strong’s Greek 3689 appears whenever the Holy Spirit wishes to underscore that something is absolutely genuine, beyond dispute, and fully aligned with God’s reality. Whether attached to a person, an event, a doctrine, or an ethical need, ὄντως punctuates the narrative or exhortation with an exclamation point of certainty: “This is the real thing—take heed.”

Merriam-Webster

without any question : truly, undeniably

We know that ALL scripture is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16) and EVERY word is truth (John 17:17, Proverbs 30:5, Psalms 119:16). However, “indeed” is like a giant billboard with flashing lights, arrows and sirens saying “HEY YOU, PAY ATTENTION TO THIS! THIS IS THE REAL DEAL!” “YOU CAN BET YOUR LIFE ON THIS.”

With this in mind, let’s look at the other verse from above, which is just one of many other verses in which ontos is used.

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  John 8:36 (NKJV)

Jesus’ death and resurrection have set us free, rescued, broken all the chains of bondage to the Law of Sin and Death. It is a certain, undeniable and complete freedom. (Romans 8:2)

In conclusion, ironically I want to look at one final statement that Jesus made as He hung on the cross – 

‘So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.’ John 19:30

I have for much of my life read and heard this verse preached, simply as Jesus’ final cry indicating that He’s done fighting and was breathing His last, which He then did, however there is much more to it than that. 

Consider this verse in context with verse 28 –

‘After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, in order that the Scripture would be fulfilled, *said, “I am thirsty.” ‘   John 19:28

Jesus declared “It is finished” not just because His life was “finished,” but because He knew that He had fought the good fight, run the race, and accomplished all that He had come to Earth to do. “It is finished” is not a statement conceding to defeat, but a declaration of victory. Consider these notes regarding “finished.”

FINISHED

teleó: To complete, to finish, to fulfill, to accomplish.

Original Word: τελέω

to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt)

Far more than a statement of death, the cry announces the completion of redemptive purpose—atonement, reconciliation, and victory over the powers of darkness.

Merriam-Webster

entirely done

brought to a completed state

When Jesus said “It is finished” He was declaring that our debt had been paid in full. Our redemption and reconciliation with the Father was complete. We are given a powerful miraculous sign of this fact – 

‘And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. ‘  Matthew 27:50-51

Yet again, when our God does something, He does so completely, totally and leaves absolutely no questions to what REALITY is. With this in mind I close with one final thought about regarding how He does things completely. Where Isaiah 53 states “by his stripes you ARE healed,” consider what Peter says –  

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you WERE healed.  I Peter 2:24

“By whose stripes you WERE healed.” “Were” is past tense!! It is already completed and done. In the divine order of things He declares to every sickness, disease, and wound whether they are physical, mental or emotional that they are “FINISHED” and all those who have been bound by them are completely, undeniably and REALLY free. 

Dear friends, brothers and sisters, let me urge you to hear and not understand what I have shared with you, but RECEIVE what HE says about you and whatever you are facing or have faced in the past. We have been chosen and adopted and the children of a loving and caring Father that gave absolutely everything to restore us to a relationship. I implore you, whatever it is that keeps you from walking in the fullness of His grace and mercy, GIVE IT BACK to Him. He bore it for you already on the cross. IT IS FINISHED – You are FREE INDEED. It is time to start walking in it!

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