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Shout Of Triumph
March 29, 2013

Recently I read about Aron Ralston, a hiker who was trapped alone at the bottom of a remote canyon. With scant hope of being found and his strength ebbing away, he had to take drastic measures to save his life. During a moment of excruciating pain, he shouted in agony and in victory, because he had freed himself and now had a chance to escape and live.

Those who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus saw His hours of agony and heard Him cry out in a loud voice, “It is finished!” as He gave up His spirit (John 19:30). His final words from the cross were not a cry of painful defeat but a shout of triumph, because He had accomplished all that the Father sent Him to do.

When Jesus died, He shared in what all of us must experience. But far beyond that, He did what none of us can do. He paid the price for our sins that we might be forgiven and have eternal life through faith in Him.

“It is finished!” was the Lord’s shout of victory because now, through Him, we can escape the power of sin; we can live and be free.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we call the day of His death Good Friday.

I have been to the cross where my Savior died,
And all of my life is made new—
In the person of Him I am crucified.
I have been to the cross. Have you?
—Helen Frazee-Bower © 1956 Helen Frazee-Bower

Jesus died that we might live.

Read: John 19:28-37

It is finished! —John 19:30

Bible in a Year:
Judges 7-8; Luke 5:1-16

One of the greatest passages of the Bible (in my opinion, of course) is Luke 23: 39-43.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

The first man saved by grace to enter heaven; a criminal crucified at the side of the Savior. I have no doubt that this man had truly repented of his sins. Jesus did indeed have the power to save this man’s earthly life by breaking his binds on his cross. But he did not. Nor did the man ask for it. The man realized he had received his just earthly punishment for his sins, and Jesus did not come to spare us these. Instead, the man received the much greater reward of Eternal Life through the Lord. Some may think it depressing, I find it inspiring.