“TETELESTAI” – IT IS FINISHED

John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Today, we take a careful look at the final words spoken by Jesus on the cross, the Greek words ‘tetelestai – translated ‘it is finished’. For starters, those words do not carry a negative connotation as though to suggest regret that opportunities have been missed and there was nothing else to be done. Instead, it carries a positive connotation as it was a popular statement across many spheres.

1. Home/field – servants would tell their masters ‘tetelestai’ meaning – I have overcome all difficulties and have accomplised the task given to the best of my ability.

2. Temple – priests receiving an offering would inspect and say ‘tetelestai’ meaning your offering is perfect hence accepted.

3. Business – Once all debt have been paid, tetelestai confirms this transaction and suggests that business can continue.

4. Court – In court, a judge uses tetelestai to mean ‘the sentence has been fully served and no further punishment awaits.

5. Military – Tetelestai is used to say the battle is fully won and we have been victorious

For us, it means God has accepted the offering of Jesus as the perfect lamb;
That the debt of our sin has been paid in full;
That the full punishment we were deserving has been served by Jesus;
That victory over the devil and sin has been secured

Ours is to rest in his finished work because he fought the battle so we can enjoy the victory. So the next time you hear ‘it is finished’ – think about all that it means because of a truth, if you were the only one, Jesus would still have died for you.

(Inspired by Rev Fr. Stephen’s homily on Good Friday)

#sly