It is Finished

This post is taken from my Easter message at Trego Community Church which is also this week’s podcast. 

Since it is Easter, I want to post some observations about Jesus Christ’s final words from the cross.  John is the only gospel writer who mentions these particular statements.  It’s also true John did not include a lot of the material Matthew, Mark and Luke covered in their gospels.  I’ll also point out he was the only Gospel writer who actually witnessed the crucifixion as well as the only disciple to do so.  And John is the only N.T. author whose specific purpose was evangelistic.  Which is, I believe, the reason he wrote the following.  

John 19:28-30 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

Notice I highlighted and underlined 3 words in these verses.  I did so because all three translate the same Greek root word teleo which means to finish or to complete.   It’s likely the NKJV translators used the different English words because of the grammatical differences in each usage of the word Teleo.   Let me explain.   

In the first clause of v. 28 is actually John’s commentary on Jesus Christ’s entire ministry.  And Accomplished translates the Greek word tetelestai, the perfect indictive form of teleo.  The perfect indictive means a completed action that carries an ongoing permeant impact.  John is telling us Jesus had completed everything He had been sent here to do and there is nothing else to do for all time.  There is nothing else needed to complete the redemption of mankind or any individual human.  In other words: 
John 1:29 He has taken away the sin of the world. 

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 

2 Corinthians 5:19 that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

There was one more prophecy concerning the crucifixion to complete so John wrote “that the Scripture might be fulfilled, (Jesus) said, “I thirst!””  The cross reference is Psalm 69:11 “For my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”  The word fulfilled translates the Greek word teleiōthe which is the Aorist form of teleo.  Again, a completed action that would connect His crucifixion to Messianic prophecy.  The Roman soldiers gave him vinegar to drink not knowing they were fulfilling prophecy but the Priests and Pharisees would.

With that final act completed Jesus Christ said tetelestai one last time and gave up His life.  When Jesus Christ said “tetelestai” He really meant it was finished, complete. The cause of death that had plagued mankind since Adam’s sin in Genesis 3 had been removed.  Jesus Christ was telling us the work of redemption was completed once and for all time.  I believe the repetition of Teleo was for emphasis, stressing the reality of our faith alone Justification. 
 
But John and the others who had witnessed the crucifixion went home thinking it was all over.    They were wrong.  There was one more Messianic prophecy about redemption that had to be fulfilled.   

Psalm 16:10-11 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Healing the sin wound which kills is not enough.  What we still needed was life.  We also had to know that what Jesus had said on the cross was true.  And that is the great significance of Christ’s resurrection.  It is irrefutable proof that Jesus Christ has the authority and power to give us life, everlasting life. 

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
1 Corinthians 15:21 & 22 For since by man also came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ validates everything He ever said including John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
If you believe John 3:16 you can be sure you have everlasting life.