The WORD Heard Around the World

John 19:28-30

²⁸ After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

²⁹ Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.

³⁰ When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

That word was “tetelestai,” is one word in Greek but three words in English, “It is finished.” It is amazing that in the six hours in which Jesus was hanging on the cross, He only made seven simple statements. In English, these seven statements comprise of 45 words. But there are only 40 words in Biblical Greek.

When Jesus cried, “tetelestai,” it was the word that was heard around the world. It shook the foundations of Heaven and rattled the gates of Hell. But what was finished?

Jesus’ suffering was over.

Anticipated suffering
Jesus grew up knowing He was going to die on a cross. In John 12:27-28a He said, “Now my soul is troubled. What should I say—Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”

Physical and spiritual suffering
In six hours, Jesus experienced all the Hell that you and I would suffer for eternity. Jesus, being infinite, suffered for us in a finite period what you and I being finite would suffer for all infinity. Hell is place of torment, darkness, and separation from God. Jesus experienced the depth of torment beyond our imagination. At noon Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And the Bible says at that moment darkness covered the land. In that moment in which Jesus became sin for us, He experienced alienation from His Father for the first time since the beginning of the beginning.  

Satan’s power was destroyed.

One of the most debilitating fears of humanity is the fear of death. The Sinister minister of fear wants people to fear death. When Jesus cried, “it is finished,” He didn’t mean, “I am finished.” He was saying, “Satan, you are finished!” God had one more strategic move that snatched victory from defeat. The empty tomb is the final move that shamed the devil and destroyed his power. You don’t have to fear the devil because he is a defeated foe. (James 4:7-8)

Our salvation is complete.

The word “tetelestai” in accounting means “paid in full.”  (1 Peter 1:18-19)

The cross is where the full force of God’s judgment against sin fell—and it burned out at the cross. The cross is the only safe place to stand when God’s judgment against sin is poured out. Our redemption was finished at the cross.