Eastertide: It was finished.

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

It is finished. One single Greek word – Tetelestai. Covered. Satisfied. Paid for. Archeologists have found the word tetelestai stamped on bills when they had been paid. It is anchored by the root word telos. End. Goal. Purpose. Jesus’ last words on the cross are a declaration that not only is his crucifixion over but that his crucifixion is the consummation of all God’s redemptive work. That may sound like an overstatement, but it’s not. Let’s consider together all that the cross of Christ brings to completion:

The work of God – there is no work of God in the Christian life beyond the cross.

The mission of Christ – there is no other work for Jesus to accomplish beyond the cross.

Prophecy – every prophetic utterance in the Old Testament has led us to the cross.

The law – the cross satisfies all the law’s requirements placed on man.

The curse – the cross ends the curse of the law placed on man.

Justice – the cross satisfies all of God’s divine justice.

Wrath – the cross satisfies all of God’s divine anger toward sin.

Death – the cross puts death to death.

Sin’s penalty – the cross pays the penalty for all sin.

Sin’s power – the cross crucifies the old nature in us.

The devil – the cross secures his ultimate demise.

The end of all striving – the cross removes all works, all performing, all self-righteousness.

Tetelestai means there is nothing left for God to do. No greater work than the work already accomplished by your union with the cross. There is nothing else to trust in, look for, commit to, or figure out. No gift, no sacrifice, no effort, no deed can add to the finished work of the cross of Christ. By the cross we stand justified, sanctified, glorified NOW. Our future is today. Our living is the cross of Christ. And our dying is gain.

But the cross is not only an end, it is also a beginning. A beginning that is commenced by the resurrection of Christ. In fact, without the resurrection, the finished work of Christ would have very little benefit for us. The resurrection allows every blessing of the cross to be applied to us in Christ.

Salvation – by the resurrection we are rescued from eternal death and separation from God.

Reconciliation with God – the resurrection restores us to the Father, making us his children.

Righteousness – by the resurrection, our unrighteousness is exchanged for Christ’s righteousness.

Sanctification – by the resurrection power in us, we are daily sanctified into the cruciform life.

The unification of humanity – the resurrection has torn down the divisions within humanity allowing the reconciliation of all mankind in Christ’s Body.

The kingdom of God – the resurrection of Christ establishes the kingdom of God spiritually in our hearts and one day physically on earth.

The new creation – the resurrection brings an end to the old order of creation and makes alive the new creation in us today.

Eternal security – the resurrection seals us with the Holy Spirit.

The fruits of the Spirit – the resurrection fills us with the life of the Spirit, his love, joy, and peace.

Christian, there is no greater blessing than the blessing of union with Christ, his death and resurrection. It is finished. The work of God is complete. If you died today, there would be nothing left undone in your life preventing you from entering into the joy of your Lord.

You: Can you identify ways that you are still working for your salvation (maybe covering over bad deeds with good deeds)?

You in Christ: What does “it is finished” mean to you personally?

Christ in you: How does knowing that resurrection power dwells in you by the Spirit change how you face this upcoming day?

Prayer: Father, it is so hard for me to accept that it is all finished. Help me to rest today in this amazing grace. Amen.