Famous Last Words Part 5: It is Finished
“It is finished” are the last words of Jesus before his death as recorded in John’s gospel. “It is finished” is translated from the Greek word “tetelestai” which was commonly written on business documents or receipts in New Testament times. It meant “paid in full”.
John 19:28-30 “Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfillScripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
What is finished?
1. Our Redemption.
To redeem something is to set it free by paying a price.
1 Cor. 6:20a “you were bought with a price.”
Payment for an item has to be proportionate with value of that item. You don’t have the right kind of currency to redeem yourself. Only the blood of the spotless lamb of God can do that.
Gal. 4:5 “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.”
We weren’t just redeemed FROM something, but TO something.
2. Our Righteousness.
Righteousness is the state of being in acceptable condition to God.
Three types righteousness:
a. The Righteousness of the World – doing good things.
Matthew 5:20
b. The righteousness of Religion – comparing yourself to others so you look better by contrast.
Luke 18:9-14
c. Righteousness of God – Attained by being in relationship with Jesus.
Romans 3:21-24
Righteousness is not a verb. It’s an adjective (righteous) or a noun (righteousness). The only way to turn it into a verb is to BE (not Do).
3. Our Receipt.
A receipt is evidence that a transaction has taken place.
1 Cor. 15:20-22
1829 George Wilson condemned to die for robbing the US mail. Family and friends begged Pres. Andrew Jackson for a pardon and he granted. Wilson refused. Law enforcement said you can’t refuse and it went to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshall, who said, “A pardon is of no effect until it is accepted by the one for whom it is intended.”
Are you acting like it is finished?