John 19:25-30

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. 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.

Additional Scripture References: Philippians 2:8, Galatians 3:13, Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:22, Deuteronomy 21:23

Today, we wear crosses as jewelry—but in Jesus’ time, no one would dream of doing that. Back then, the cross was a symbol of pain, shame, and public humiliation. It was Rome’s way of saying, “This is what happens when you cross us.” And yet, God flipped the script. What was a symbol of pain and defeat became a symbol of victory, and the very thing He used to save the world. The cross wasn’t just a bitter end to a good man’s life—it was the plan all along. This object of pain became the ultimate symbol of hope — the crux of our faith. In Latin, the word crux means “cross” or “crucial.” Nothing is more crucial to our faith than the cross. Without the cross, Christianity is just another self-help program. Without the cross, we have good teachings but no transformation. Without the cross, we are still guilty, still condemned, still in our sin.

We owed a debt we couldn’t pay, so Jesus paid a debt He didn’t owe

1. The Price of The Cross

For the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
‍Romans 6:23

From the very beginning, God has shown us that sin has a cost and that cost is death. Throughout the Old Testament, we see a system of animal sacrifices put in place to temporarily cover sin and restore the relationship between God and His people. Whether it was the lamb in Exodus or the bull and scapegoat in Leviticus, the shedding of blood was always required. But those sacrifices were never meant to be permanent. They were a shadow of something greater to come; a perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. That’s where Jesus steps in. Jesus didn’t just offer a lamb. He became the Lamb.

He didn’t bring a sacrifice. He was the sacrifice. On the cross, Jesus absorbed the full weight of our sin. He took the punishment we deserved which was death and exchanged it for the gift we could never earn which is life.

2. The Promise of the Cross

When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” He wasn’t surrendering — He was sealing the victory.  In Greek, He said “Tetelestai”, meaning paid in full. But what exactly did He finish? He finished the sacrifice for sin. He fulfilled every prophecy and law and defeated death. He closed the gap between God and man. What had separated us: sin, shame, guilt, was nailed to the cross. There’s no more striving for forgiveness, no more performance for approval. The cross was the full payment, the final word, and the open door back to the Father.

Salvation isn’t something you earn; it’s something Jesus already paid for. Too often, we live like there’s still a balance due. Like we have to perform or prove we’re worthy of God’s love. But the cross says otherwise. When Jesus declared, “It is finished”; He wasn’t giving up. He was stamping your receipt: Paid in full. No outstanding charges. No spiritual debt. The price was settled in blood. Think about it: when you’ve paid for something, the receipt proves it’s yours. You don’t go back and pay again. You rest in what’s already been done. The same is true with salvation. The cross is your receipt.  You don’t have to strive. You don’t have to question your worth. Jesus already settled it — fully, finally, forever.

• Prayer of Gratitude:

Jesus, thank You for doing what I never could. You didn’t just die for me, you finished it for me. I’m grateful I don’t have to strive to be loved or earn my way into your presence. Help me live like I believe it’s really done.

When Jesus had received the drink, he said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. - John 19:30

• Prayer for Freedom from Shame:

God, sometimes I carry things You already paid for. I replay mistakes, feel guilt, or question if I’m enough. But You said, “it is finished.” So I release the shame, the weight, the lies and I receive your grace again today.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. - Romans 8:1

• Prayer to Stop Striving:

Heavenly Father, I admit, I’ve been trying too hard to prove myself. Help me stop running in circles trying to earn what You already gave. Teach me to rest in what You finished. I don’t want to just believe it, I want to live like it’s true.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith…not by works, so that no one can boast - Ephesians 2:8-9

• Prayer to Share the Good News:

God, this is too good to keep to myself. If you really paid it all, then I want others to know. Put someone on my heart this week, someone I can invite to church or share this truth with. Let my life speak of Your finished work.

How, then, can they call on the one who they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? - Romans 10:14