A Prayer to Rest in the Finished Work of Jesus
By Amanda Idleman
Bible Reading:
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." - John 19:30
Read or Listen Below:
Jesus, God incarnate, came to show his fallen creation his fantastic love. He knew that without willingly laying down his life, humanity would have no hope for life beyond the grave. He gave his life in place of ours so we could now join in a relationship with him and enjoy the hope of Heaven.
Every Bible story leading up to Jesus' death foreshadowed this history-changing event. We see Abraham climb a mountain, ready to sacrifice his only son, until God provides an alternative. We read of Moses leading his people out from the wilderness into the Promised Land, where they could finally prosper as a nation. We see the prophecies of Isaiah describe to us in detail what the Messiah would be and do hundreds of years before Jesus came into the flesh.
Jesus was the culmination of so much anticipation. The Messiah arrived, but his way was nothing at all like what the Jewish people had anticipated it would be. Then, he died an unjust death. Time would reveal that this death was the only way for him to bury our sins, and his resurrection would display his ultimate power and authority over evil.
Now, we can celebrate because we have been given the light that is greater than the darkness to illuminate our path to a forever Kingdom that is defined by righteousness and love. What mercy he displayed for us while we were still sinners! We can know him because he was so humble to take the form of a man and die that criminal's death on the cross.
As we meander through this chaotic life, we are guided by the love fully displayed for the world on the cross. When we don’t understand the now, we can find peace knowing that our forever has been secured by a merciful God who loves us. One day, all tears will be wiped away, and we will share eternity in his garden city. This truth is the well from which our peace and rest are drawn.
As you meditate on the finished work of the cross, consider how secure your existence is because Christ offered his perfection to wipe clean our many mistakes. With him, the best is yet to come. We can live with perfect peace because we know we are loved.
Let’s Pray:
God, we thank you for the finished work of the cross. You so graciously died in my place so I could know you and spend now through eternity in a relationship with you. Let my heart be covered in your supernatural peace as I consider how secure my future is in you. Let my soul know that I am yours and loved beyond reason. Thank you for the cross. Help me not grow jaded to the reality that you gave it all because you loved me. Renew the joy of my salvation this Easter. Reveal to me in a new way what the cross means for me. Amen.
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images/PlusBoonyachoat
Related Resource: Establishing a Routine of Rest
For a long time, rest felt less like a gift and more like a guilty indulgence — something to be earned, something to feel vaguely ashamed of, something that productive, faithful people did not really need. In a world that measures worth by output, the idea of stopping feels dangerously close to falling behind.
But what if rest is not optional? What if it was never meant to be? Tonight, lay down the hustle. Receive the gift. This is exactly what you were made for. Your Nightly Prayer is a daily Christian prayer podcast from the LifeAudio Podcast Network and Crosswalk.com. Each night, the team behind Crosswalk.com brings you a devotional and prayer to help you end your day in conversation with God. May these nightly prayers help you find the words to pray and focus your heart and mind on the love of God as you end your day. If you like what you hear, subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Monday, 21 April 2025.
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