It Is Finished

I'm not too into jigsaw puzzles, but I finished a 1000 piece puzzle one time, and I felt so proud.

But did you know that the alleged world's largest jigsaw puzzle is 28 x 6 feet, from Kodak, which contains 51,300 pieces, costs $440, and weighs 40 pounds! I mean, if I finished that, I would definitely feel like I accomplished one of the most incredible things ever!

I share this because, during the quarantine, many stocked up on puzzles to keep themselves entertained. It was to a point where puzzle makers couldn't keep up with the demand. However, the uptick in orders didn't surprise online puzzle stores, who say isolationists need other pursuits to keep them occupied when there are no sports on TV. Isn't this true? We as human beings need things to keep us occupied because our hearts are never satisfied.

What have you finished or accomplished recently?

Good Friday reminds us to worship Jesus, who accomplished the greatest work in all of redemptive history when He said, “It is finished.” His work on the Cross satisfied the wrath of sin and provided what we need the most.

28 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

- John 19:28-30

“It is finished,” in Greek, is the word tetelestai. To the original readers, it was a very common expression. It was part of their everyday language.

A pastor by the name of Gerhardy said it like this: "When a servant had completed a difficult job that his master had given him to do, he would say to the master – tetelestai – 'I have overcome all the difficulties; I have done the job to the best of my ability. It is finished.' When the Jewish people went to the temple with their sacrifice, the High Priest would examine what was brought. Most likely, he didn't speak Greek, but he would use the Hebrew equivalent of tetelestai – meaning, 'Your offering is accepted; it is perfect.' When the merchant at the marketplace made a sale, and the money was handed over, he would say, 'tetelestai – the deal is finished, complete. The price has been paid in full. I am satisfied.' All those who heard the word tetelestai, understood that Jesus is saying that his job of saving the world has been completed."

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” He was declaring what Adam could not do, what the prophets, kings, and priests could not do, what you and I could not do. Jesus said, “I have perfectly obeyed God's will and word on your behalf… It is finished. So that now and forevermore, my obedience can be credited to your account.”

Put another way, because Jesus obeyed perfectly, there is grace when we disobey continuously. There is grace because of Jesus' obedience on Good Friday.

For those of us already saved, we know that Jesus opened the entrance into God's kingdom when He declared, “It is finished.”

But what we may wonder:

How come the effects of the fall continue?

Why is the sin raging in my nature not finished?

Why are there still conflicts and crises like sicknesses, wars, and deaths?

When will it end? I thought, "It is finished?"

The Bible says it will all end when Jesus comes back at the second coming of Christ. But until then, we are called to be like Christ and share Christ with others. We are called to share what Jesus did on the Cross on Good Friday.

Friends, today, celebrate what Jesus accomplished for you. But also, consider bringing that neighbor or co-worker to Easter this weekend. Or when you get asked on Monday morning, "Hey, how was your weekend?" share what you learned at church on Good Friday and Easter.

Pastor Sean

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