John 19:30. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
It is finished.
In Greek (the language the Bible was written in) this is one word – Tetelestai. The word tetelestai means paid in full. Mom and dad, have you ever paid off something? Maybe a credit card or a car note. Maybe you got something in the mail saying that you were now done paying. That’s tetelestai.
Why does Jesus yell this word on the cross? It is finished is a declaration that not only is his crucifixion over but that his dying is the end of all God’s work to save us. Now that’s a pretty big deal, isn’t it? Let’s think about what the cross of Christ finishes:
The cross finishes the work of God – there is nothing left for God to do in order for us to be saved.
The cross finishes the mission of Christ – on the cross Jesus completed his mission to save us.
The cross finishes sin’s power over us.
The cross finishes death’s power over us.
The cross finishes the devil’s power over us.
The cross finishes the need to work our way to God.
Tetelestai means there is nothing left for God to do for us. All that’s left is for us to trust in the cross of Jesus. And not only the cross of Jesus, but also the resurrection of Jesus. What does the resurrection do for us?
By the resurrection of Jesus, we are rescued from death and separation from God.
By the resurrection, we are able to be in God’s family.
By the resurrection, we are given all of Jesus’ goodness and love.
By the resurrection, we are part of God’s kingdom.
By the resurrection, we are given the Holy Spirit and his love, joy and peace.
It is finished! There is nothing left for us to get from Jesus. He has done it all, and he gives us it all. That means that there is nothing left for you to do to make God love you more and he can never love you less.
You: What does “It is finished” mean to you?
You with Jesus: If we can’t make God love us more and if we can’t do anything to save ourselves, then why should we do good things like Jesus?
Prayer: Father, often I think I can make you love me more with my good behavior. I’m sorry for thinking this way and for forgetting that Jesus already did it all for me. Help me to simply trust in his finished work. Amen.
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