It’s hard to fathom Christ’s final, agonizing hours upon a Roman cross. The floggings, torture, and humiliation He endured were reserved for the worst of criminals. It is no wonder, then, that with His last breath, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Tetelestai!—“It is finished” (John 19:30).

But what was this cry? Was Jesus simply announcing His own death? Was it an acknowledgment that the cruelty and pain were now finished? Was it even something of a cry of defeat?

On this point, the Bible is clear: Jesus’ final word was actually a shout of victory, of triumphant recognition (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 10:12-14; 1 Peter 3:18). He had fully accomplished the work He had come to earth to do. In the realm of eternity, in perfect fellowship and harmony with one another, the Father had planned, and the Son along with the Spirit had willingly agreed, that this would be the way—and now their purpose was being accomplished.

So we must always remember that Christ’s sacrificial death was according to the Father’s plan. Christ was chosen to bear the penalty of mankind’s sins “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20). Likewise, Isaiah prophesied concerning the Suffering Servant who was to come, saying, “It was the will of the LORD to crush him” (Isaiah 53:10). From all of eternity, the Father chose the Son to be the one who would provide an atoning sacrifice for the sins of many.

The Father’s plan is paralleled by the Son’s sacrifice. When Jesus walked onto the stage of human history, He was clear concerning His role and mission: “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). The sacrifice of the Lord Jesus was not coerced. Rather, He laid down His life in full awareness of and voluntary submission to the Father’s plan.

The truth and reality of this covenant plan of redemption is applied to our lives by the Spirit’s testimony. The Spirit of God testifies through God’s word, reminding us of the wonder of what God has accomplished for us through Christ’s finished work on the cross (Hebrews 10:15). Christ’s offering means you stand perfected in God’s sight. Your sin has been removed by His Son, and you are clothed in the righteousness of His Son.

The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ was never Plan B. Nothing could be further from the truth! In eternity past, the triune God determined that the road to Calvary would be the way of salvation. Bow today under the beauty and wisdom of God’s redemption plan, asking the Holy Spirit to help you understand more fully and appreciate more deeply what it meant for the Son of God to bear and take away your sin.