November 4th~It is Finished!

Mark 15:21-24

Matthew 27:32-34

Luke 23:26-31

John 19:17

Mark 15:25-32

Matthew 27:35-44

Luke 23:32-43

John 19:18-27

Mark 15:33-41

Matthew 27:45-56

Luke 23:44-49

John 19:28-37

Jesus was led to a place called Golgotha, or “Skull Hill,” where He was crucified. Evidently, His scourging had compromised His physical strength to the point that He could not carry His own cross. A man named Simon of Cyrene was forced to help Him.

While Jesus hung on the cross, nearly everyone on the scene hurled abuse at Him — soldiers, religious leaders, travelers, bystanders, even the criminals that were crucified with Him. However, one of the men recognized Jesus’ innocence in light of his own sins. “We deserve to die for our evil deeds,” he said, “but this man hasn’t done anything wrong” (Luke 23:41). Jesus confirmed this man’s faith and said, “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise” (v.43). In regard to His accusers, He asked His Father to forgive them, “because they don’t know what they are doing” (v.34).

One of those in the crowd had to be the Great Accuser, Satan himself, who understood Jesus’ redemptive mission. Even though He was on the cross, Satan tempted Jesus to avoid the agony of crucifixion and succumbing to death. “Save yourself,” he said, “and come down from the cross. You saved others but can You save Yourself? You trust God, but let’s see if He will now deliver You!” These temptations were Satan’s last attempts to keep Jesus from fulfilling His earthly task, that of sacrificing Himself for the sins of mankind. Satan knew if that happened then Jesus would have broken his oppressive chains of sin and death. Jesus resisted Satan and completed what He came to do.

By taking the sins of mankind upon Himself, Jesus had become an unbearable sight for His Father. In that moment, Jesus was crushed, not only by the weight of our transgressions but by His Father’s abandonment. He cried out, “My

God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” For a brief moment, the holy God of heaven and earth could not look upon His Son, who bore man’s every evil thought and wicked way. Then, Jesus voluntarily yielded up His spirit.

Jesus’ final words said it all — “It is finished!” We might say, “Mission accomplished.” His redemptive assignment had been completed. Through His sacrifice, He had delivered us from the penalty of sin. No more sacrifices were needed. He alone — the Lamb of heaven — is all that is required to enter the presence of God. Herein lies the meaning of the Temple veil that was torn in two (Matthew 27:50, 51). The old sacrificial system was no longer necessary. Jesus provided a new and living way to God and eternal life (Hebrews 10:19, 20).

Daily Reflection

Let’s assume that you were there that day, when Jesus was crucified, and you understood what was happening, why He was doing it. Would you allow it or stop it? Explain.

Every passage of Scripture that you have read this year has built up to this point — the crucifixion of Jesus. It is the focal point of the entire Bible. How important, then, should it be to you?

Take some time today to thank God for sending His Son to die on your behalf. Consider where you would be in life without Him. Then, consider how you should live in light of knowing that He died for you.

BiAY.org | Day 308 — 57 Days to Go