Eyes Wide Open: 40-Day Lenten Devotional Sample

It Is Finished

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” -  John 19:30

So many of us live in half-truth-filled realities. We know the Bible backwards and forwards. We know about Adam and Eve and the fallen world we live in. We know about God’s chosen people, the Israelites, and God’s plan to bring redemption through David’s bloodline. We know about the years of wandering, the prophets, and the exile. 

We’ve read the story of Christ’s birth at Christmastime more years than we can count and know the gospel he preached during his years of ministry. But when it comes to accepting the gift of grace and forgiveness that his death on the cross secures, many of us struggle all of our lives. 

It seems unfathomable that this sacrifice could accomplish the cleansing of our hearts—our very sinful hearts—once and for all. Such a message seems much too good to be true.

But Jesus’ last words to humanity from the cross at Calvary speak volumes to the reluctant believer in all of us: it is finished. It’s not almost done. It’s not being made complete. It’s not close to over. It is finished—death was defeated and with it all our sin and shame. 

Going forward, we needn’t worry about how such forgiveness could be so. Neither should we waste time wondering if the cross really meant what Jesus said it did. Instead, we can just be still and trust that the words “it is finished” weren’t just meant for the pious and perfect among us but for all who choose to call on his name for salvation. 

Prayer: Father, thank you for the work that you did on the cross. Thank you that the words “it is finished” that you uttered in your last moments serve as a reminder that our sins have been cleansed once and for all. May we learn to accept and embrace this free gift as we follow you each day. Amen.