I have a tattoo, and I wear it proudly. It is a single statement crafted around a cross. I tweaked John 19:30 to get the message across. John 19:30 says: “When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’” The Greek word is “tetelestai.” That is what my tattoo says. “Jesus said, it is finished.” That is what the word “tetelestai” means. It means that the mission of Jesus had ended. That is the It! He had perfectly presented Himself as the “Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). That is why He came.
It also means that through His death, all the sins of all who submit, trust, and obey Him will have all their sins, guilt, and shame removed. There is an old hymn that says, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” That is a fundamental, biblical truth. There is no other way for anyone to go to Heaven. You must admit your need as a sinner. We all are. After confessing your need as a sinner, you must submit the Lordship of Jesus over your life. You accept that it is only through His death of the cross that you can be forgiven and adopted into the family of God.
When Jesus cried out for all to hear, “It is finished,” He was proclaiming His mission a victory! God the Father validated His victory on the third day after the crucifixion by Jesus’ victory over death. He was raised from the dead as the Son of God. His victory over death provides a guaranteed hope to those who follow Him with a whole heart. That hope is eternal life!
In Romans 5, Paul tells us that Jesus came into the world at a time that we were utterly helpless. He came to die! He goes on to say that most people would not give their lives to save a good person. But “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.”
This Easter season, remember that what we celebrate is all about you! God loves you so much that He sent His only Son. He lived to show you how to live. In His death, He was taking on the death sentence for your sins. In His glorious resurrection, God the Father validated his sacrifice. Jesus took the penalty for your sins, and He imparts His righteousness to you. Then He gives you the gift of the Holy Spirit to help you grow in faith, live in obedience, and transform you from the inside out.
My prayer this Easter season is that you truly know Jesus as your Lord and Savior! If not, attend an Easter Service on Sunday. Listen to what God has done for you. Then run to Jesus. He is waiting for you.
