It is Finished
When I reflected on that image, I felt the weight of its symbolism. And in that moment, the Holy Spirit began to connect it to something far greater—the finished work of Jesus Christ.
In this painting, the bell is not rung by a patient, but by Jesus Himself. The hand holding the bell is pierced, representing His crucified hands. It is Christ who makes the sound. It is Christ who declares, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Just as the bell in a hospital hallway proclaims the end of suffering, this bell represents the ultimate and eternal victory—sin, death, and bondage have been defeated through the cross.
In biblical tradition, bells were part of the garment of the high priest, sounding as he ministered before the Lord. Here, Jesus is revealed as our Great High Priest—the One who entered not an earthly sanctuary, but the heavenly one, offering Himself as the final sacrifice. The ringing of the bell becomes a divine proclamation that the work of redemption is complete.
The cord of the bell is wrapped in a form resembling tzitzit, the knotted fringes commanded in Scripture (Numbers 15:38–40). These fringes were a reminder to walk in holiness and obedience to God’s commandments. In this image, they point to the fulfillment of that law through Christ. What once reminded us of what we could not fully keep now testifies that Jesus has fulfilled it perfectly. Holiness has been accomplished in Him.
Behind the bell, the red curtain is torn open, revealing the heavens. This reflects the veil of the temple that was torn in two at the moment of Jesus’ death (Matthew 27:51). The tearing of the veil signifies that separation between God and humanity has been removed. Through Christ, access to the Father is no longer restricted—it is open.
The bell itself appears fastened, as though nailed, pointing directly to the crucifixion. This connects the proclamation to the cross—it is His sacrifice that gives authority to the sound. The ringing is not symbolic alone; it is backed by the price He paid. Healing, freedom, and reconciliation have been secured.
The clouds breaking through the torn veil represent the revealed presence of God—once hidden, now fully accessible. Light fills the space where separation once existed, emphasizing that Jesus did not begin a work He left unfinished—He completed it fully.
Just as a patient rings the bell to declare the end of a physical battle, Jesus rang the bell of eternity through His pierced hands. His declaration echoes through heaven and earth: the battle has been won, the price has been paid, and the way has been made.
