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“It Is Finished”

In his now famous speech, “Yes We Can” Senator (now President) Barach Obama spoke these words…”We are hungry for change and we are ready to believe again.” In November 2008 that hunger for change and desire to believe in something greater saw the United States of America elect its first African American president. Three simple words, Yes We Can changed the course of the election, and the direction of a nation.

Words are powerful, three small words, like David’s five smooth stones (1 Samuel 17:40) can fell the largest giant, and conquer the strongest foe. It is not surprising Jesus chose three simple words to conclude his life and ministry on earth. The last phrase that Jesus spoke before he died was “It Is Finished”. “Tetelestai” (pronounced tuh-tell-uh-sty) is a Greek word meaning “it is finished or paid in full.

This simple phrase “Tetelestai” was not a sigh of defeat but statement of completion. It was a common phrase used in everyday transactions.

For the employee – When the job was completed, the employee would say to the boss, TETELESTAI – meaning I have completed the job you gave me to do.

For the Priest – The people of God would bring their sacrifice to be offered – after the high priest examined and accepted it – He would say – TETELESTAI – meaning it is perfect, it is accepted!

For the shop keeper – When a purchase was made, the merchant would take your money and hand you a receipt – TETELESTAI – The debt had been fully paid or paid in full.

For the artist – When an Artist would complete his work, he would step back, admire his work, and say TETELESTAI – It is finished. The picture is completed

Jesus life and ministry served to complete the Old Testament picture of the Christ to come. God has finished what only God could finish. Christ’s sacrifice, a gift that surpasses every expectation, exceeds every debt, and places the final stroke to God’s masterpiece of redemption. Our sins have been consumed, making it possible to live lives that reflect God’s love and glow with the beauty of His Spirit.

What wonderful news: “It is finished”‘… But it is not over. It is not over because God made us, the church, to be His witnesses of grace and reconciliation to the world, a world with no time for a crucified God. Our salvation is complete in Him and we set our hearts and minds to the work of living in peace with one another in God’s kingdom.

Major Keith Pike