Connect360: The End of the Beginning

Lesson 6 in the Connect360 unit “The Beauty of Restoration: The Final Days of Jesus” focuses on John 19:28-30.

“It is finished” (19:30). Jesus completed what he intended. He was not victimized by the Roman government nor by the Jewish leaders but announced the fulfillment of his mission with this declaration at his death.

Jesus voluntarily gave up his life. He died in full knowledge and consciousness he had met God’s salvific design in full perfection. This moment served as the foundation for faith and for belief in Jesus as the Son of God.

The use of perfect tense in the phrase, tetelestai, denoted the holistic fulfillment and finality of Christ’s sacrifice. However, the English translation, “It is finished,” only reflected part of its full meaning in original Greek. For example, the English language allows the word “finished” to indicate both an assignment turned in on time or an assignment turned in late. One student may have completed the assignment and met all requirements, and the other student may have just barely finished and exerted minimal effort. Both assignments, however, are considered “finished” by English definition.

Jesus did not merely survive his assignment. “It is finished” meant his purpose was completed in the past, in the present, and in the future. His cry meant his mission was concluded and executed to perfection. Tetelestai was a cry of victory over his enemies, over the suffering God ordained, over death, the fulfillment of all the Messianic prophecies, and the fulfillment of Old Testament Law. Arguably most important, Tetelestai meant Christ paid the price for the sins of the world. The debt had been paid in full and the work of salvation was complete.

After Jesus declared all was finished, he bowed his head and “gave up his spirit” (19:30). Christ had loved his own “to the very end” and now willingly released, or gave up, his spirit (13:1). This reverent picture with Jesus’ bowed head emphasized his conscious will.

Up to this point, Jesus was delivered by Judas to the Jewish religious leaders, delivered to Caiaphas, delivered to Pilate, and delivered to the soldiers for crucifixion. Here, Jesus himself delivered his spirit and proved this tragedy was in God’s control. Jesus died as was appointed to him, and Jesus commended his spirit at the mission’s completion.

Jesus’ finished work invites us to return to him, and God promises to restore the joy of our salvation (Psalm 51:12). Jesus offers us a life beyond existence. He offers a life we may live abundantly if we believe and follow him (John 10:10).

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