The Final Act

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, NIV)

We’ve talked about the sacrifices Jesus made—the beating, the scorn, the suffering—but none of it would have meant anything if He hadn’t finished it. The final act, the ultimate sacrifice, was His death on the cross.

Think about it: All the pain, all the humiliation, every lash, every thorn—it would’ve been pointless if He hadn’t surrendered His last breath. If He hadn’t whispered, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). But He did. Even when He felt abandoned (Matthew 27:46), even when He suffered Mockery and betrayal, He stayed. He finished it.

So if you ever doubt whether your salvation is worth it—after all we spoke about last week of His sacrifice, remember: Somebody died for you. He hung there, rejected, yet refused to come down. At any moment, He could’ve called legions of angels (Matthew 26:53). But He didn’t. He chose you over His own comfort. And with His final breath, He declared: “It is finished.”

What was finished?

When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” He wasn’t just ending His suffering—He was completing the work of redemption. The barrier between God and humanity was torn down, just as the temple veil ripped from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). No longer would sin separate us from the Father. The power of sin was broken once and for all. And we were reconciled back to Abba. Beloved, the debt was paid in full.

Because of His death, you’re now completely free. No longer ruled by fear, shame, or guilt. So tell somebody, in fact everybody! That Jesus did this for them too.

Salvation wasn’t cheap. It cost everything—His life for yours. And He paid it without hesitation because He loves you. You were worth the nails. You were worth the shame. You were worth Him enduring the cross to the very end.

Let’s pray:

“Father, thank You for Jesus—the perfect Lamb, the ultimate sacrifice. Your Word says, ‘Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness’ (Hebrews 9:22), so thank You for His blood. Thank You that His death is my life, His suffering my freedom. I receive it all. Amen.”

If you’re new and you haven’t accepted Jesus:
Pray this: “Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I accept Your sacrifice—Your death, burial, and resurrection. Today, I surrender to You as my Lord. Make me new. Amen.”

Shalom.

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24, ESV)

"And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit." (Matthew 27:50, NIV)