“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:28-30)
“It is finished” is the English translation of the Greek word Tetelestai, which was the last thing Jesus’ said before dying on the cross. Tetelestai is a crucial word because it signifies the successful end to a particular course of action. It means “to bring to an end, to complete, to accomplish.”
This is the same word you would use when you climb to the peak of a mountain. It’s the same word you would use when you turn in the final copy of your dissertation. It’s the word you would use when you make the final payment on your new car. It’s the word you use when you have finished paying off your house bills. It’s the word you use when you have paid off your children’s school fees. It’s the same word you would use when all stress and confusion is gone and you are now settled!
The word means more than just “I survived.” It means “I did exactly what I set out to do.”
Whatever you set out to do this year 2020; your wedding, your business, your factory, your ministry is finished! I see the house you set out to finish this year 2020 finished! I see that piece of land you set out to buy this year 2020 finished! Coronavirus is finished!
Note one other fact. He did not say, “I am finished.” That would imply that he died defeated and exhausted. Rather he shouted, “It is finished,” meaning “I have successfully completed the work I came to do.” It is a final shout of victory. When He died, He left no unfinished business behind. When he said, “It is finished,” he was speaking the truth.
Happy Easter!
The writer is founder and director of Wilsongs.
