In John 19:29–30, as Jesus hung on the cross, we read: “A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

In Mark’s gospel, it’s even simpler: “And they crucified him.” No explanation needed. Everyone knew what crucifixion meant.

Crucifixion was Rome’s chosen form of execution—so brutal that the Byzantine Empire outlawed it immediately. It was designed for shame, suffering, and spectacle. Thousands were forced onto those crosses. Only one chose it. Your King. Our Savior.

Jesus, displayed on a criminal’s cross. Darkness rejoiced as if heaven had lost.

Throughout Scripture, we see broken stories: Adam disobeyed, Eve was deceived, Noah got drunk, Moses doubted, David failed, Peter denied, Paul murdered. And yet, God used them. Because “It is finished” wasn’t the end—it was the beginning.

Those three words didn’t close the story. They opened a new one. “It is finished” means your past no longer defines you. That chapter is closed. A new one is being written.

Good Friday demands we pause. That we recognize the same God who spoke galaxies into being, who commands the oceans and names the stars—also saw you. Knew you. Died for you.

Jesus whispers through the agony of the cross: “It wasn’t for nothing.” Every lash, every nail, every breath was for you. Good Friday wasn’t a defeat. It was a setup for victory.

Jesus lured the enemy onto the battlefield of His choosing—and there, He won.

It is finished. And for us, that’s where new life begins.