Day 6: The Utterance of Triumph

"It is finished." 

John 19:30

This is not a cry of defeat, but a shout of victory! The Greek word is tetelestai, an accounting term meaning "Paid in Full." It signifies that Jesus completed the work He came to do: He lived a perfect life, paid the full penalty for sin, and conquered death. The work of salvation was not just almost done; it was once and for all finished.

Sometimes we can feel surrounded by unfinished projects or goals. The finish line seems to move farther away with each step we take. Maybe we’re on a never-ending diet to reach that “ideal” weight. Or we push ourselves to get a tidy home that forever seems to be one dirty dish, dusty shelf, or unmade bed away from our perfect vision. We may even strive toward spiritual goals that similarly somehow remain continually out of reach.

To a woman who constantly feels a need to earn her worth or prove her goodness, Jesus’ words, “It is finished,” are revolutionary. They stop us in our tracks. We cannot do more to earn our salvation. Jesus finished the work. Our lives are not lived to merit forgiveness from God. Instead, we live to show our gratitude for and submission to our Lord Jesus, who has already finished the job of salvation for us.

For Reflection:

“It is finished.” Let those words sink in. Your performance—whether as a daughter, wife, mother, employee, friend, or Christian—is not what secures your place with God. It is finished. Rest in this truth. Let go of the need to be perfect. Your identity and security are not found in your striving but in His triumphant cry. Spend time in prayer thanking Jesus for finishing the work.