Tetelestai!

Daily Devotional – Tuesday, January 11, 2022

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:30 (NKJV)

The plumber I had hired to fix a leaking pipe in the house called me earlier than I expected. “I have finished the job.” He said. I doubted him. I asked him to give the phone to a relative who was at home. “Yes, the job is finished.” My kin said. It was then that I sent the pay.

The Greek people of Jesus’ time had a term for completed work: tetelestai. A worker used it after completing a task to ask the employer to pay for the finished work.

Tetelestai: You are Debt-Free

Another use of tetelestai was during payment of debt. Once you paid your debt in full, you creditor would issue you with a receipt stamped with the word, ‘tetelestai’. You were debt-free.

The last words Jesus uttered on the cross were, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) or tetelestai. In this context, however, the word was very powerful, considering the history of humanity and the impact of sin.

Created in God’s Image

In Genesis, God created man in His own image. He gave Adam dominion over the earth. However, by persuading our first parents to disobey God, Satan wrestled the earth from Adam. Sin and death reigned. Without God’s intervention, man would be lost eternally.

Then the plan of salvation took effect. Beginning with Adam, human beings offered animal sacrifices to atone for their sins. Of course, the blood of animals could not cleanse them from their guilt. The sacrificial system absolved sinners by faith even as it pointed to a better sacrifice.

God Sent Forth His Son

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5).

Fast forward to the baptism of Jesus. “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”” (John 1:29). It was time for the real Lamb to die for the salvation of humankind.

For God So Loved the World

 “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.” (John 3:16). “…The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10).

Only the death of Jesus could restore man to his original relationship with God. Through Christ’s death alone, human beings could be sure of eternal life. When Jesus hang on the cross with all the pain and embarrassment, He completed the salvation of man.

Tetelestai: Jesus Paid It All

The mission was finished successfully. There was nothing to add or reduce. That is why Jesus said, ‘tetelestai.’ Jesus redeemed man from sin. He paid the debt in full. Satan has nothing against you. You are free if you accept Jesus as you Saviour and Lord.

The refrain of a popular hymn beautifully summarizes tetelestai:

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

Thank You Jesus for paying the debt of sin in full and for purchasing my salvation at so dear a cost.