“It is finished.” What is finished? “It is finished” is the English translation of the Greek word “Tetelestai.” Tetelestai was one of the second-to-last of the seven last words (or cries) uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ just before He died on the Cross.
The Bible records for us the order of events at the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. And we read in part that “After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:28-30). The Scripture also states, “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” And having said this he breathed his last” (Luke 23:46).
Tetelestai means that our sins have been fully “atoned for” (meaning the reconciliation of God and man) that is, “paid in full” by Jesus Christ in His death. Therefore, this means that absolutely nothing more is required for man’s divine forgiveness. Tetelestai also means completion, triumph, victory, and success.
Jesus spent over thirty-three years of His earthly life healing the sick, raising the dead, giving sight to the blind, speech to the dumb, hearing to the deaf, casting out demons, and other great miracles including turning water into wine. These were most commendable deeds by the Lord. However, they were certainly not the main purpose for His coming into the world. His main purpose for coming was to go to the Cross and there die for sins of mankind.
Jesus came to do what we could never have done for ourselves. Although Jesus had no sin of His own, yet God “made him to be sin” for us.” The Bible explains, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). In His death on the Cross, Jesus took the sins of the whole world on Himself by being made sin for us. It was on that Cross that He paid the penalty for our sin. The words “it is finished” means that sin no longer has any power or control over us who are saved, unless of we allow it to do so by our disobedience.
No one can add anything to the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the Cross. His finished work brings great joy, gladness, comfort, satisfaction, and peace to God’s people. It means that our salvation is “full and complete.”
“It is finished,” sounds like the trumpet of victory; let us have faith to claim that victory through the blood of the Lamb, and let every christian, here, let the whole Church of God, as one mighty army, from this dying word of the now risen and ever-living Savior, “It is finished.” His Church may rest perfectly satisfied that His work for her is fully accomplished” (Christ’s Dying Word For His Church No. 2344 by C.H. Spurgeon, Nov. 3, 1889).
And meekly bowed his head and died.
’Tis finished! yes, the race is won,
The battle fought, the victory won.
(Samuel Stennett, 1727-1795)
“It is finished” is a cry of victory since every righteous claim has been met and sin, death, hell, and Satan have all been vanquished. In His high priestly intercessory prayer to the Father, Jesus said, “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” (John 17:4). “Accomplished the work” means “finished the work.”
“It is finished!” writes William MacDonald, “The work His father had given him to do! The pouring out of His soul as an offering for sin! The work of redemption and of atonement! It is true that He had not yet died, but His death, burial, and ascension were as certain as if already accomplished. So the Lord Jesus could announce that the way had been provided whereby sinners could be saved. Thank God today for the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross of Calvary!” (Believer’s Bible Commentary, p.1565)
“It is finished.” He on the Cross must die. “It is finished.” Now our souls can rest, Christ’s work on earth is done. “It is finished.” The loud triumphant cry by Him our “Sacrifice and Priest.” “It is finished.” By Him who meets our every need. “It is finished.” Our Redeemer lives no more to die. “It is finished.” He has for sin atonement made. “It is finished.” He now sits at God’s right hand. Hallelujah! What a wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord. Amen.