It Is Finished

As a writer of young adult fiction, probably my most satisfying moments are when I finally finish another book. The story is complete, all questions answered, a satisfactory wind-up, no loose ends. I can sit back and say, "It is finished."

But of course, it isn't finished at all.

It still has to go under the editor's "blue pencil", waiting to correct my typos, to slash away mercilessly at what I considered my best writing, perhaps to eliminate some of it altogether. In fact, I cannot say it is finished until I receive the final, published book with my name on the cover.

John 19:30 – When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (NIV)

"It is finished." Christ cried out these greatest words of triumph and completion ever spoken. He had completed the work of God He had come to do. The redemption of a lost world had been fully accomplished. Moments before, when "the Lord [had] laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6b NIV), He had cried out in anguish, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" (Matthew 27:46b NIV) Now that He was dying, knowing that it was finished, "Jesus called out with a loud voice, 'Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last." (Luke 23:46 NIV) Because of His sacrificial death, our sins are obliterated. Because He could say, "It is finished", our relationship with the Father is healed and restored.

"It is finished." Redemption is fully and everlastingly completed. It is like a book, fresh from the publisher, with your name and my name on the cover.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You that "It is finished". Father, we can never know the anguish our Redeemer suffered for us, but we can know that because He finished the work He came to earth to accomplish, we, too, can commend our spirits into Your loving hands, freed forever from the bonds of sin. In His holy name, we pray. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook