It Is Finished

In review of John 19:28, 30 this morning, I'm reminded that, “After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done. So that the Scripture would come true, he said, ‘I am thirsty’ . . . When Jesus tasted the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and died.” (NCV)

Until this time, a complicated system of sacrifices had atoned for sins. Sin separates me (us) from God, and only through the sacrifice of an animal, a substitute, could people be forgiven and become clean before God. But people sin continually, so frequent sacrifices were required. Jesus, however, became the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. The word finished is the same as "paid in full." Jesus came to finish God's work of salvation, to pay the full penalty for my sin. With his death, the complex sacrificial system ended because Jesus took all sin upon himself. Now I can freely approach God because of what Jesus did for me (us). Those who believe in Jesus' death and resurrection can live eternally with God and escape the penalty that comes from sin.

The only person ever to finish everything he had on his plate before he died was Jesus.

In John 4:34, Jesus said, “My food is to do what God wants! He is the one who sent me, and I must finish the work that he gave me to do” (CEV).

Fortunately for me (us), Jesus did finish the work God gave him. Right before Jesus died on the cross on the first Good Friday, the Bible says, “After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done. So that the Scripture would come true, he said, ‘I am thirsty’ . . . When Jesus tasted the vinegar, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and died” (John 19:28, 30 NCV).

When Jesus says, “It is finished,” it was a shout of victory. The phrase actually is a single word in the original Greek: tetelestai. It was a very common word in ancient Greek society with many meanings. When Jesus said these words on the cross, he was referring to each of the meanings:

. It was used by servants and employees who returned to their master with news they had finished the task. Jesus had finished the task God had given him.

. It’s a legal term judges would use to announce that a prisoner had completely served his prison time. Jesus made sure that justice had been served for my (our) sin.

. It was an accounting term meaning a debt had been paid in full. Jesus completely paid our debt.

Artists used the term when painting a picture to denote their final stroke. Jesus’ sacrifice finished God’s great masterpiece by making it possible for the pinnacle of his creation me (us), to be redeemed from sin.

Priests used the term when they offered a sacrifice to God to say, “The sacrifice has been made.” Jesus’ death on the cross was the sacrifice for my (our) sin.

That one single word is what separates Christianity from every other religion on the planet. All other religions are about what I need to do to be right with God. Jesus says, “It is finished.” I don’t need to do anything to have access to God. He’s done everything! I just need to trust him.

In summary, Jesus knew that everything had been done. He said, 'it is finished.' Sin separates me from God, and prior to Jesus death on the cross, only through the sacrifice of an animal, a substitute, could people be forgiven and become clear before God. Jesus became the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. The word finished is the same as "paid in full." Jesus came to finish God's work of salvation. With his death, the complex sacrificial system ended. Now I can freely approach God because of what Jesus did. Jesus is the only person ever to finish everything he had on his plate before he died. When Jesus said, "it is finished" the phrase is a single word in Greek that had many meanings, each of which Jesus was referring to: He finished the task God gave him, made sure that justice had been served for my sins, paid my debt in full, completed his master peace, me, to be redeemed from sin, and became the sacrifice for my sin. This single word/phrase is what separates Christianity from every other religion. Other religions and beliefs are all about what I need to do to be right with God. Jesus says "it's finished." I don't need to do anything other than just trust him.

Father, it’s easy for me to get caught up in thinking about what I need to do to be right with you. But you have “paid” my debt in full. You are a gracious God whose mercy and loving care sustain me. I pray today Father that I keep in mind what ultimate sacrifice Jesus made in finishing your work and allowing me to be saved. I ask for wisdom and guidance today for my work, my tasks, my leadership and my interactions with others. I pray this through your Son Jesus name, Amen.