Read: John 19:28-30; 20:1-31 Day 47

The Resurrection and the Life

It is finished. (19:30)

He is risen! Christ the Lord is risen today! This is the pinnacle of the Christian faith, the crux on which all things turn. Our God is not dead; he does not lie in a tomb. He is alive now and forever. In his resurrection he broke the chains of death that we may live forever more.

As Jesus breathed his last on Good Friday, he spoke the words “It is finished,” and indeed his work is finished. Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all, and the forgiveness of sins is sealed in his blood. He truly is the resurrection and the life; in him we have the promise of everlasting life.

Although Jesus’ earthly work is finished, God’s work here is not done. “It is finished” foreshadows the “It is done!” found in Revelation 21. We believe not only in the resurrection of Christ but also of the return of Christ. We wait eagerly for the day of Christ’s return, the day when God sets all things right and our salvation will be fully realized. We will stand at the throne of God with believers from every tribe, tongue, and nation proclaiming together, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10)

—Jonathon VanderWall

Prayer: