When people find themselves nearing the end of their lives, they sometimes say things that are deemed important and remembered for years to come. Sometimes the things remembered are of great importance, while other times they are more sad or even funny.

I find the last sayings of people to be interesting because they can give us insight into what the person was like. For example, Charles Darwin is quoted as having said, “I am not the least afraid to die” (April 19, 1882). Former President of the United States, James K. Polk said, “I love you Sarah. For all eternity, I love you” (spoken to his wife in 1849).

Perhaps some of the most remembered last words come from Jesus, although they aren’t really His last words since He rose from the dead and talked with others again. While Jesus was hanging on the cross He cried for all to hear, “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30). At first these words seem sad, they sound like words of defeat. It appeared the enemies of Jesus had won. Jesus was hanging on a cross with no means of coming down. His enemies were standing around the cross mocking Him. By all accounts it seemed His cry of “It is finished” was out of defeat.

But praise be to God this was not the case. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished” it was NOT a cry of defeat, but a SHOUT of victory. The words “It is finished” mean, “It stands finished,” “It will always be finished.” These words specify not the end of Jesus’s life, but the completion of His task. Jesus shouted in victory because His mission on earth was done. Consider what these words mean for us today.

1) We no longer live under the Old Law (Col. 2:14).
2) We no longer have to remain separated from God (Rom. 5:8-10).
3) We no longer have to live in fear of death (I Cor. 15:55-57).
4) We no longer have to wonder about our eternal destiny (Jn. 3:16).

When Jesus cried out “It is finished” He was crying out in triumph not defeat. He was the victor. And thanks to Jesus dying on the cross and completing His mission, you and I can overcome our enemy and gain the victory. Praise the Lord, “It is finished.”