“It is Finished!”

A Devotion

By Joe Guagliardo

John 19:18-20

“It is Finished!”

December 15, 2023

It’s hard to believe, but … My Christmas shopping is done. Wife, daughter, grandkids, friends, and other family members, it is finished.

I remember many times over the years when Kathy and I were still shopping on Christmas Eve. Also, if you’ve read any of my early devotions, I discussed finishing wrapping gifts at 2:30 a.m. on Christmas morning.

But, this year, we got an early start and finished up early. It feels so good to be done.

***************************The Point**********************

When Jesus came to earth over 2000 years ago, He had a job to do. And when His assignment, which His Father (God) gave to Him, was done, He said the same thing:

The Death of Jesus

“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said,

“I am thirsty.”

A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said,

“It is finished.”

With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

John 19: 28-30

Jesus fulfilled all of the Old Testament Prophesies. He taught He healed, He showed love for others, and He died a horrible death and 3 days later rose from the dead. What I just wrote is a small composite of what Jesus accomplished in three short years.

Ultimately, Jesus knew that He had accomplished what He had come for:

“Knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled …. Jesus said,

“It is finished.”

With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Jesus knew He had accomplished what His Father had sent Him to do. And with one final act, His death, our sins were forgiven. Three days later, He would rise from the grave, overcoming death itself. And once again, giving us not only the forgiveness we received from His death on the cross but, through His resurrection, an opportunity for eternal life with Him forever and ever.