John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”

It is finished. These were the last words of Jesus on the cross. What is finished?

• The nightmare of the crucifixion – Jesus had survived the most horrific day in all of history. The agony and humiliation of the cross were behind Him.
• His ministry on earth as a human – Jesus ministry was certainly not over, but His ministry in the constraints of a human body were finished. From here on out, He would minister in His glorified, resurrection, eternal body.
• Religion – The religion of the Law was finished. No more ritualistic attempts at being good enough for God. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice and as such His righteousness is imputed on us. We are good enough when we are sharing His righteousness.
• His life – Jesus was physically born of a virgin. He was fully human and living the human experience. He was now physically dying.

A secondary but common meaning of the word tetelestai was “Paid in full.” What an image. Jesus paid the debt for our sin. His act on the cross is sufficient to pay the due penalty for our sin. One day, all who follow Jesus as Lord and Savior will stand before the throne of God. We will owe a debt in keeping with our sin. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). In that glorious court room of the One True God, Jesus will stand at our side and say, “Tetelestai… paid in full.”

Celebrate Easter!