Good Friday: It is Finished

After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said, ‘I thirst’. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

— John 19:28-30

The Greek word, “Tetelestai” appears only twice in the New Testament. And, both times are right there, in John 19:28 and 30. “Tetelestai” is translated into English as “it is finished“, or, as in the case of verse 28, “all things were now accomplished“.

Strong’s defines “Tetelestai” as “From telos; to end, i.e. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) — accomplish, make an end, expire, fill up, finish, go over, pay, perform.”

When Jesus uttered those words on the cross, before giving up His spirit, He was saying, “It is finished, it is done, complete, God’s plan of redemption has been fulfilled, the debt has been paid”. But, what debt?

The debt that began with Adam and Eve in the Garden when they disobeyed God. The debt, the sins of the elect, that began with the first Adam has been paid by the second “Adam”, Jesus the Christ. Animal sacrifices, as required under the Old Testament system, are no longer necessary and can no longer “save” anyone. Only through the death of Jesus on the cross can we be “saved” from God’s judgement. One time for all.

These debts, the sins of the elect, that Christ died for on the cross can never be punished again since that would violate God’s justice. Sins can only be punished once, either by substitution or by yourself.

Tetelestai. It is finished, God’s redemptive work is done, the debt is paid – in full.

“The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation day, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

“Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

— John 19:31-33, 41-42

They laid Jesus in the tomb and sealed it with a huge stone. To make sure there was no “fool play”, the tomb was sealed and Roman soldiers – at penalty of death – were placed outside the tomb to make sure no one entered, or left, the tomb.

Then, the Sabbath and all was quiet. But, that was NOT the end. Sunday is on the way. The best is yet to come.

Stay tuned.

Blessings