“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 ESV

“It is finished.”

Jesus spoke those words almost two thousand years ago, but they continue to impact our lives to this day.

In Luke 19:10 Jesus explained his purpose: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Jesus was born and died so that people like you and me could know God and find abundant life in him.

And as he died on the cross, Jesus declared that his mission was complete.

What does that mean for us? It means that, with his death, Jesus did everything necessary for us to have a relationship with God.

Romans 10:9 says, “…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It’s that easy. No more and no less.

It is not necessary to impress God with our “holiness” or to be perfect for him to accept us; Jesus’ death on the Cross is the only thing that can qualify us for a relationship with God.

And here’s the good news: because Jesus’ work is finished we can finally rest from the task of earning God’s love.

Here is a simple prayer to carry with you today:

Inhale: Your work is complete;
Exhale: I can rest.