It Is Finished

Among the final words spoken by Jesus as He hung on the cross, none carry as much weight and finality as the phrase: “It is finished.” In the original Greek, the word is Tetelestai—a term commonly used in the marketplace. Merchants would stamp it on receipts and bills to mean one powerful thing: “Paid in full.”

Jesus wasn’t merely uttering a cry of resignation—as though He were saying, “I’m done.” He was declaring victory: “The debt has been paid.” This single word encapsulates the entire gospel narrative. In that moment, Jesus declared the successful completion of His divine mission. But what exactly had been finished? What debt had been paid?

The Story Behind the Statement

To understand the depth of Tetelestai, we must go back to the beginning. God created man in His image and placed him in the Garden of Eden. But through disobedience, that image was distorted. Sin entered the world, bringing with it death and separation from God. Scripture reminds us, “The wages of sin is death.” Yet God, rich in mercy, did not abandon His creation.

Even before man’s fall, God had already set in motion a plan to redeem him. Jesus Christ is described in Revelation as “the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world.” That heavenly plan became an earthly reality when the eternal Word took on flesh and offered Himself on the cross.

Humanity’s predicament required more than moral reform or good behavior. Sin demanded justice. The only way sinners could be saved was if someone perfect bore their iniquities in their place. Jesus did just that. He bore the penalty of death and paid the price for our sins in full. When He said, “It is finished,” He declared the completion of the work of atonement. The mission was accomplished. The debt was settled. A new covenant had been sealed in His blood.

Evidence That the Work Was Complete

The Bible presents four powerful confirmations that Jesus truly finished the work of redemption:

1. The Tearing of the Veil – At the moment Jesus died, the veil in the temple separating the Holy of Holies from the people was torn in two from top to bottom. This signified that access to God was now open—no longer through ritual or priest, but through Christ Himself.
2. The Resurrection of Christ – The risen Savior is proof that death was defeated and the Father had accepted the Son’s sacrifice.
3. The Exaltation of Christ – Jesus ascended and now sits at the right hand of God, a position of authority and completion.
4. The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit – At Pentecost, the Spirit was poured out, sealing believers and empowering them to live in the reality of Christ’s finished work.

Justified by Grace Alone

Even though we still wrestle with sin in us because of our inherited sinful nature, we no longer carry sin on us. Through faith in Jesus, our sins have been transferred onto Christ. This is the basis of our justification.

Justification is not something we earn by good works. It is the gracious act of God by which He declares the sinner righteous, solely on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice. By this act, we are restored to the relationship with God that existed before the fall—adopted, accepted, and beloved.

Some may wonder why an all-powerful God had to demand a penalty for sin. Could He not simply forgive Adam and Eve? While God is indeed all-powerful, He is also perfectly just. His nature requires that sin be punished. And so, it is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that God’s mercy and justice meet. We are not merely forgiven—we are legally justified before the throne of heaven.

Living Like It’s Finished

Tragically, many Christians live as though they still owe God something for their salvation. They carry guilt, strive through performance, or serve out of fear. But Jesus said, “It is finished.” The debt is paid. The curtain has been torn. We no longer approach God through rituals or self-effort, but through grace and relationship.

So we must ask ourselves: Are we living in the freedom Jesus purchased for us? Or are we still trying to earn what He already completed?

A Final Question

Jesus’ work is done. But what about ours? He died with the words “It is finished” on His lips. Will we be able to say the same when our time comes? Not that we’ve earned anything—but that we’ve faithfully lived in response to what Jesus has already accomplished.

Because Tetelestai doesn’t just mark the end of Jesus’ suffering; it marks the beginning of our new life.

Would you say today, with confidence and freedom, that you are living like it truly is finished?