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Tetelestai!

Just before Jesus gives up His spirit on the cross, He utters a very powerful word. The word that He cries out is “tetelestai” (tih-tellis-tie). When literally translated, this word means, “It is finished.” It can also refer to something completed or accomplished. The word occurs in John 19:28 and 19:30 and these are the only two places in all of the New Testament where it is found.

In the John19:28 passage, it is translated, “After this, when Jesus knew that all things were now completed, in order that the scripture might be fulfilled, he said, ‘I thirst.’” Two verses later, he utters the word himself: “Then when he received the sour wine Jesus said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

 

Did you know that the word tetelestai was also written on business documents or receipts in New Testament times to show indicating that a bill had been paid in full? The Greek-English lexicon (by Moulton and Milligan) says this: “Receipts are often introduced by the phrase tetelestai, usually written in an abbreviated manner....”  

The connection between receipts and what Christ accomplished would have been quite clear to John’s Greek-speaking readership; it would be unmistakable that Jesus Christ had died and paid off the debts for their sins in full.

We all know how it feels to get an invoice that shows a “$0.00” balance because the cost has been “paid in full.” Jesus is the propitiation. Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus pays the price that we could not pay ourselves.

Jesus completed the Passover upon the cross as full, perfect, and atoning sacrifice. The Old Covenant is now complete and the New Covenant, in Christ’s blood, is established and is what has been instituted within the life of the Church and for Believers. That is why Jesus said “it” is finished. Jesus is the New Covenant and makes it possible for us to be reconciled back to God in an intimate, loving, and eternal relationship.

Tetelestai! Yes, it is finished. It is completed. It is accomplished. Hallelujah!

 

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