Before we celebrate the resurrection, we must first walk the path to the cross. In It Is Finished: A 40-Day Pilgrimage Back to the Cross, bestselling author Charles Martin invites readers on a deeply reflective and immersive journey to uncover the significance of Jesus’ final words. Across forty days of storytelling, scripture, and contemplation, Martin explores the power and necessity of the cross from Genesis to today, offering a fresh and transformative perspective on what Christ’s sacrifice means for each of us.
For many, the story of the cross is familiar—sin, separation, forgiveness, redemption—but Martin’s vivid storytelling and deep biblical insight breathe new life into these foundational truths. Each daily reading approaches the cross from a unique angle, asking essential questions: What did Jesus truly mean when He declared, “It is finished”? When did this work of redemption begin? How does Christ’s sacrifice continue to shape our lives today? Through powerful reflections and scripture-based teachings, readers are drawn closer to the heart of the Gospel and challenged to see the cross in a new way.
A central theme of It Is Finished is uncovering the enemy’s attempts to obscure the work of the cross. Satan cannot undo what happened on Calvary, but he works tirelessly to divert our attention from its significance. Martin counters this deception with a pilgrimage that refocuses our eyes on Jesus, encouraging believers to rediscover the magnitude of His sacrifice. Each chapter is designed to deepen understanding and stir personal reflection, making this book an ideal companion for Lent, personal devotion, or group study.
Readers have praised It Is Finished for its ability to cut through religious familiarity and reignite passion for Christ. Many describe Martin’s writing as piercing through spiritual complacency, making the Gospel’s truths feel immediate and personal. The book’s format lends itself well to discussion, with some readers choosing to explore its themes in small groups, allowing for shared insights and deeper contemplation. Others have found it to be a powerful personal devotional, rich with scripture, prayer, and moments of revelation.
Whether you are encountering the cross for the first time or have revisited it countless times before, It Is Finished offers an invitation to look again, to stand at the foot of Calvary, and to ask the crucial question: Why me, Lord? Why would Jesus endure such suffering for me? Through this 40-day pilgrimage, Charles Martin helps readers engage with the depth of Christ’s love and the transformative power of the cross in a way that is unforgettable, challenging, and ultimately life-changing.
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