What Jesus Did! 'Finished!' — John 19:28-30

Thursday, December 3, 2026

Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, "I am thirsty." A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
— John 19:28-30 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus lived on earth just a little over three decades. When he died, he declared his work "finished." I'm not sure I can say that about even one day's work at the end of the day, much less about my life's work. I have a cartoon someone gave me that reads, "I believe that God gives us all a certain amount of work we are to get done in our lifetime. At the rate I'm going, I figure I'm going to live another 110 years!" Jesus' secret to completing his life's work was really pretty simple: He sought to please God with what he did rather than trying to make everyone else happy. Jesus accomplished what God sent him to do. How about us - you and me? With all we are trying to do, are we really focused on the objective of doing God's work or are our efforts being diminished in trying to do lesser things? Let's live so that when our end is near, we can say, "It is finished!"

Today's Prayer

Holy God and loving Father, help me to know your will for me each day so that I can accomplish the most important things and not just be involved in running around trying to do too many things. Please reveal to me more clearly the work you have for me to do; and then, dear Father, please give me the courage and power through your Holy Spirit to do it. I want my work to be finished when my time has come to leave this earth and go home to you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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10 Related Resources by Heartlight

Complete!
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"After he took the wine, Jesus said, "It's done ... complete." Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit."
Thirsty
Article by Phil Ware
How can so much be caught up in one word? Phil Ware continues his seven sayings of Jesus on the Cross and talks about how the words "I thirst" make Jesus' incarnation real.
Finished!
Article by Phil Ware
How can anyone say they have done all that they set out to do? Jesus finished his work, accomplished his mission, completed his task, passed his test, and when his life was over he was victorious.
This Time, Giving Up is Winning
Article by Phil Ware
Can you ever think of when giving up is ever good? Jesus gave up his spirit, but he did not give up his mission, his mercy, his grace.
See All 10 Related Resources about John 19:28-30

Illustration

Illustration of John 19:28-30 NLT — "I am thirsty." —— "It is finished!"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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