I love to make Easter a special time of the year. So when I saw the book It Is Finished: A 40-Day Pilgrimage Back to the Cross, I knew I wanted to read it. It Is Finished is the new book written by Charles Martin, the best selling author of 25 books. Some faith based, some fiction.
It Is Finished
Through forty days of captivating storytelling, the author takes you on a journey back to the cross, encouraging you to look at it from a different perspective each day and ask God to reveal to you:
What did Jesus mean when he said, It is finished as he was dying on the cross?
When did what Jesus finished at the cross begin?
How does Jesus’ death 2,000 years ago relate to me today?
What is God offering at the cross that I often forget or take for granted?
What does God know about me that I don’t realize?
The book aims to open your eyes and heart to the answer to the question that can change your life: ‘Lord, why me? Why did you endure the cross and despise the shame for me?’
It Is Finished is perfect for reading during Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter. It can definitely be read anytime, though!
Mr. Martin states in the forward that he wanted each days devotion to be about a cup of coffee long. Maybe two. I don’t drink coffee, lol, but I found the length to fit that scenario. It takes me an average of 15 minutes for each days reading. Of course, that will vary for everyone.
It Is Finished Book Review
I found each devotional to be both interesting and informative. I have learned a few things that I didn’t know. Which leads to something else I loved about It Is Finished. The Notes section in the back of the book. Here the author references every Bible verse used, and version of the Bible he used. (He uses the ESV Bible, unless otherwise noted.) As well as any books, or online articles he got information from.
For example, on Day 1, he talked about heel bone crucifixion, which I don’t recall hearing about before. So there are a couple of articles in the notes section that I was able to look up. Which is something I love from an educational viewpoint.
It Is Finished Book
Each day’s reading features the main body of the devotional, a Walk With Me Back To The Cross section, Pray With Me and a And God Responds section. Each section varies in length each day.
The Walk With Me Back To The Cross section does just that. Takes the reader back to the cross. To Jesus. The reasons He went to the cross, the love He has for us, and more, citing Bible Verses to take us there.
Pray With Me is a written prayer for the reader to pray that relates to what was discussed in that days devotional.
And God Responds contains Bible verses that relate to the prayer.
A devotionals purpose is to help you grow closer to God. To find one that educates as well, is a wonderful mix. In my opinion, It Is Finished accomplishes both of those. I love Charles Martin’s writing style in this devotional. It held my attention throughout. This isn’t a quick, get it done devotional. It will take you deeper.
Here’s a quote from the Forward:
His desire is to expose the ugly in us in order to reveal the pure and beautiful and Holy in Himself. Why? The next forty days are my attempt to answer this question.
Lent this year is Wednesday, February 14, to Thursday, March 28. Get It Is Finished now to use as your devotional!
Buy it HERE.
Check out my other reviews!
Disclosure: Thanks for FrontGate Media and W Publishing Group for a copy of It Is Finished for review purposes. Opinions are 100% my own.
