Day 54.

The words of the cross are a little Bible, a seven-fold creed for the Christian faith. ‘It is finished’ is the sixth saying uttered at the 6th hour on the 6th day of passion week. From the darkness comes the greatest declaration of victory. It is finished! Finalised by words of committal. The earth shock, the temple was split, the curtain was torn, and the graves were opened.
But why is this my favourite word? This word carries an ocean of significance. It is finished – ‘Tetelestai’, (paid in full!) Here is a library in a word. A word that consolidated heaven and the watching universe. It shook the realms of satan and gave hope to the earth. It delighted the father, glorified the son, brought down the Spirit and confirmed the everlasting covenant. The word can also be applied to debts that have been paid in full. How amazing that Jesus uttered this word moments before He died – your debt is paid! You don’t need to be on a treadmill of works wondering if you are doing OK. It is finished! You can now live your spiritual life with spiritual joy. It means that our efforts can be less anxious because we are not working towards a goal, the goal is achieved and the outcome assured, because “we are accepted in the beloved,” (Eph 1:6) before we begin. We just need to come as we are.
For us it means all the barriers between us and God are dissolved – torn asunder – We don’t have to work to earn salvation, the work is His alone and we can stand in Him completed. Adam began with rest and so must we – resting in His act of re-creation. Adam’s toil began there.
We lived with Him, we died with Him, we were buried with Him and we rose to a new life in Him. We are seated with Him in heavenly places because He is our advocate (Greek, paracletos 1 John2:1 c.f. John 14:16) with the Father. How amazing is that: a paracletos on earth and one in the court room of heaven! – How can you lose if your case is in His hands? Now we can work with joy, because He has done the work that counts – reconciled us to the Father.
The echo would be heard twice more in scripture, when the Lord had finished His heavenly intercession, “It is done.”(Rev 16:17) and when there is a new heaven and new earth made (Rev 21:6). God has had His day in court (Rom 3:4 NLT) and it is finished! The universe of created beings, including we ourselves, will be able to proclaim “Great and wonderful are thy deeds, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the ages! … for thy Judgements have been revealed.” (Rev.15:3-4) Peace and harmony will now reign throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, because “tetelestai”.