Photo by Sabine van Straaten on Unsplash
The Gospel of John records the final utterance of Jesus as He hung on the cross.
“When He had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed his head and gave up His Spirit.” John 19:30
The phrase “It is finished” is expressed as one word in Greek, tetelestai. It means “to bring to an end, to complete, to accomplish.” It is a word you would use when you graduate from university, cross the finishing line of a marathon, or have settled all outstanding credit card bills or a mortgage.
There is a sense of accomplishment, upon which you would say: “I completed what I set out to do.”
Christ’s death on the cross not only glorified the Father (John 17:4), but also completed the work of our salvation. When He died, Jesus left behind no unfinished business. And there is nothing you and I can do to add to what Christ has done on the cross.
His sacrificial death for the sins of mankind was completed for the past, and is still in effect for the present and the future.
God does not have a Plan B.
Tetelestai also expresses the idea that “this happened and it is still in effect today”.
When Jesus cried out “It is finished”, He meant that His sacrificial death for the sins of mankind was completed for the past, and is still in effect for the present and the future.
Bible scholar Merrill Tenney notes that the word was used in the first century to express the fulfilment or payment of a debt. “It is finished” could be interpreted as “paid in full”.
“Paid in full” means never having to pay for something again.
Some years ago, my wife and I bumped into an old friend while dining. Unbeknownst to us, our friend had foot the bill for us before he left the restaurant. We were, of course, pleasantly surprised and touched by his act of generosity. Our meal was fully paid for.
It would have been silly for us to pay the restaurant again. Likewise, we have the assurance that all our sins – past, present, and future – have been paid for in full. They have been stamped with tetelestai!
Having experienced God’s forgiveness, we are no longer shackled by the guilt and shame of our past. In Romans 8:1-2, Paul writes:
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”
Enjoy your new life and freedom in Christ!
This was first published in Moorings, Anchor for the Soul, a devotional by Cru Singapore, and republished with permission.
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