Who Is Jesus?预览

Who is Jesus? He finishes the mission and cancels our debt

From the cross, Jesus makes seven simple yet profound statements. Jesus ensured His mother was cared for, quoted Psalm 22 to fulfill prophecy, and promised heaven to one of the thieves being crucified with Him. But the most powerful final statement of His on the cross can be found in John chapter 19 verse 30, in which Jesus declares, “It is finished.”

It’s important to note Jesus did not say, “I am finished.” That would imply He died discouraged and defeated. However, Jesus’ death was not some tragic accident brought on by evil men; His death was a divine appointment orchestrated by a sovereign God. So, what did Jesus mean when He declared, “It is finished”?

The phrase “It is finished” comes from the Greek word, tetelestai, which means to complete, execute, or cancel a debt. In the first century, this word could be applied in a variety of contexts. For example, tetelestai was a term servants used when they completed a task assigned by their master. It was also a term soldiers used when they executed a mission for their commanding officers. And finally, it was an accounting term used by merchants any time a bill had been paid in full.

On the cross, Jesus embodied all three definitions. Through His death, Jesus completed God’s purpose for His life. Through His resurrection, Jesus executed His mission defeating death and the grave. And finally, by taking on the punishment we deserved, Jesus canceled the debt of our sins. Tetelestai, then, is the Savior’s final cry of VICTORY!!! Tetelestai meant Jesus left no unfinished business on earth. More importantly, it means those who put their faith in who Jesus is and what He did on the cross can experience peace with God and live as part of His family for all eternity.

Reflect:
Jesus endured so much on the cross. And yet, according to Scripture, it was a joy for Him to do so. The joy wasn’t in the suffering–there is no way He enjoyed being betrayed by His friends, being falsely accused, being beaten beyond recognition, or being nailed to a cross. But the reason Jesus was able to endure so much pain on the cross is because He knew just how much it would benefit the world, all of us. The cost of our salvation was an expense much more than we could afford but it was His joy to save us!

Respond:
Each one of us was born with a debt we could not pay. Jesus paid that debt with His own life on the cross. The offer of salvation is free but must be accepted, taken, received. If you have put your faith in Jesus, thank Him for the sacrifice He made. If not, you can do so today by believing that Jesus died for your sins and that He resurrected from the dead. Because you believe, you must admit that you believe and follow Jesus the rest of your life. Confess that You need His forgiveness to pay the debt that was too much for you to pay on your own! And He will redeem you! It is finished! Anyone who has believed this and confessed Jesus as Lord has their sin debt paid in full! Tetelestai!

Pray:
Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to the earth to pay the penalty for my sins. Help me to never take Your sacrifice for granted. Just as Jesus submitted His life to You, give me strength to walk in obedience every single day. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.