“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
Most people live like they still have something to prove to God, like their salvation depends on them. But on the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” He didn’t say, “It has started,” or “It’s almost done.” He completed the work once and for all. The debt of sin was paid, the wrath of God was satisfied, and the enemy’s greatest scheme became his ultimate defeat. Yet so many still live like there’s more to be done.
When Jesus bled and died, it wasn’t the end—it was the beginning of deliverance. With His final words, He declared victory over sin, death, and the devil. Satan’s greatest scheme became his greatest failure. “None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (1 Cor. 2:8).
The Enemy didn’t see his own downfall coming—he never understood the power of humility or the wisdom of God’s plan.
From the cross, Jesus announced forgiveness for those who crucified Him, assured the criminal crucified next to Him that they would be together in paradise, commended His mother to John, cried of forsakenness showing His spiritual death and separation from the Father, and expressed His agonized thirst. (1)
Jesus didn’t leave anything undone—your sin is paid for, your salvation is secured, and your righteousness is in Him alone. There’s nothing left to add, nothing left to prove. So why live like it depends on you?
Will you rest in His finished work or keep striving for what’s already been given?
(1) Luke 23:34; Luke 23:43; John 19:26-27, Psalm 22:2, Matt. 27:46 cf. Mark 15:34, as this is the only statement from the cross appearing in more than one Gospel, John 19:28-29. It is possible that the sponge and wine vinegar were part of the military kit used by soldiers to clean themselves after going to the bathroom in the field, the ancient version of both toilet paper and disinfectant.
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