Devotion 3/28, tetelestai
“tetelestai”, it is finished! These are not Christ’s final words in the cross but maybe His most important.
From Salt & Light:
Tetelestai comes from the verb teleo which means “to bring to an end, to complete, to accomplish”. It signifies the successful end to a particular course of action. This was what Jesus declared on the cross before He gave up His Spirit. Here are some examples of the usage of the word tetelestai.
After completing a task set by a master, the servant would go back to the master and say “tetelestai”, meaning “ I have finished what you told me to do”. Jesus said: “I have come to do the will of my father and to finish His work.” (John 4:34)
The task that God gave Jesus, the sacrificial lamb of God, would culminate in and be completed at the cross. By submitting to the Father’s will, Jesus displayed ultimate servanthood.
Before a lamb was sacrificed, the priest would inspect it to make sure that it was without spot or blemish. If it was so, the priest would pronounce “tetelestai”, that is, it is without blemish.
Peter would say that Jesus is the Lamb without spot or blemish, the perfect sacrifice. As Peter testifies, “we were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)
Soldiers who were victorious over their enemies would declare “tetelesai”. This is a victory cry.
On the cross, when Jesus cried out “tetelestai”, He was not giving the last gasp of a worn-out life in defeat. He was declaring victory over Satan, sin and death!
His divine accomplishment as the Redeemer of sinners had now been completed.
Precious Jesus, I give thanks and praise that we are redeemed through your perfect sacrifice. I pray we live our lives in victory over satan as you have won the ultimate battle. I pray we can live our lives as servants to you, the King of Kings, in all we say and do. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, that our eyes may see your will and we have the passion and confidence to follow you in servanthood to all who are hurting, lonely and lost. For You and your Kingdom I pray, Amen.
It is finished, the battle is over, the victory is won!
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