Day Five: Completion

CONNECT

Take some time to ask one another the following questions:

• Think of some things that you have done and are proud of. It may be school work, a task given to you by your parents, a project, or a hobby. How did you feel after you finished it?
• Now, think of something you have started but have not finished (e.g., homework, chores, a meal, a game, cooking a dish). Why did you not finish it?

Today, our Bible story is about Jesus finishing His mission here on earth.

READ THE WORD

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

At this point, Jesus was hanging on the cross, having suffered severely at the hands of the Romans. As He breathed His last breath, He said, “It is finished.” What did He mean?

In Genesis 3, when sin entered the world, man became separated from God. And no matter what man could do, it could never erase the sin or bridge the gap with God. Only God could do this work, which was the mission Jesus was sent to do. God's plan was slowly unfolding from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The cross was where it was finally completed. Jesus’ death and resurrection cleansed us of our sins and bridged the gap between God and man—the very things people were trying hard to do. Man can now be reconciled back to God.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is enough to cover every sin. The amazing truth is that our salvation depends not on what we do but on what Jesus did for us. No amount of good deeds or hard work can make us right with God—only Jesus can. When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He had fully accomplished the work of saving us. There is nothing more we can do or add. We simply need to trust in Him and receive the gift of salvation.

When we believe in Jesus and what He did on the cross, we are forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God forever. That’s why we don’t need to add anything more to what Jesus has done. He has already finished the work, and our salvation is secure in Him.

HUDDLE

Parents to Kids

2–6 years old

• What were the words uttered by Jesus on the cross that we learned today?
• Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?
• Is there anything we can do on our own to erase our sins?

7–12 years old

• What did Jesus mean when He said, “It is finished”?
• Knowing the finished work of Jesus on the cross, how do you think you should respond?

Kids to Parents

• Can we be sure or secure in our salvation in Jesus? Why?
• Have you ever tried to earn your salvation?
• Why is Jesus’ work complete?

Because Jesus lived a blameless life, He is fully qualified to take away our sins, therefore completing the work on the cross. Everything He has given us is by His grace, and our only part is to put our faith in Him. Paul says in his letter to the Ephesians:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8–9

God is gracious for granting us this gift of salvation. His desire is to restore us to a right relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus. We can respond to and honor His sacrifice by trusting in Him completely and not trying to earn our way to it.

PRAY

Dear God, thank You for Jesus' complete work on the cross. Through it, we are now reconciled with You and are part of Your family as Your children. Please help us trust You always. May our lives reflect this glorious truth in every way. In Jesus’ name, amen!

DISCOVER

“It is finished.”

Bible scholars believe that this phrase when translated to Greek, can mean that something was already paid in full. It may be a debt or a business transaction. Holding a document marked with these words means you don’t have to do anything more, and the transaction is now complete.

When Jesus said this, He was referring to the full payment of our debt for our sins. Our debt is now paid in full. There is no need for us to settle anything anymore.