Finished Indeed!

This past Sunday we celebrated the finished work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection. Daily Christians celebrate our relationship with our Heavenly Father by the sacrificial death of His Son. We realize Jesus was not a martyr in that His death was forced and could have been prevented. He willingly gave up His life to fulfill all of God’s righteous demands to free mankind of sin’s bondage and penalties. His death was the very reason why He came. Note these Scriptures:

“But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins.” (1 John 3:5)
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15)

By Jesus’ declaration of “It is finished,” He was declaring that all what was necessary for mankind’s sin to be forgiven was completed or fulfilled. This phrase is translated by one word in Greek, tetelestai, meaning “paid in full.” It is from the root teleō, , which means “to finish, fulfill, complete, or accomplished.” Look how this root word is repeated in John 19:28-30 NLT:

“Jesus knew that his mission was now finished (teleō), and to fulfill (teleioō) Scripture 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!” (teleō) Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

“Finished” denotes that the requirements have been met, the debt is paid, there is no more sacrifice needed for the forgiveness of mankind’s sins. This completed action is final for all times. God forgives sin now only through the death of Jesus Christ, because Jesus meet all the qualifications and finished the work necessary to redeem all of us back to God.

He paid the debt we owed in full. Now, there is no debt left to pay—the righteous (Jesus) for the unrighteous (us), that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Jesus lived the perfect life and died the perfect death. Hallelujah!

All anyone needs to do is believe in the finished work of Christ for them, and His saving work is then applied to their lives. If you ask Him, He will exchange your sins for His righteousness. By having your sins forgiven and His righteousness applied to your life, you will have a restored relationship with God and live eternally with Him.

This frees you from trying to do things to be accepted or pleasing to God (Ephesians 2:8-10). What liberty! Your faith in the finished work of Jesus brings all your work to an end. Now sin does not separate you from the God you can lovingly serve and fellowship with daily. It is finished indeed!