τετέλεσται = Greek word “Tetelestai” literally means “It is Finished” and is defined as “a goal achieved, a consummation, a result attained; paid in full.” It does not mean just to complete a task but to carry it out fully, to bring it to the finish or to perfection. Charles Spurgeon once said, “TETELESTAI conveys an ocean of meaning in a drop of language.”
It is finished, it is finished … Tetelestai! The beauty of the double meaning phrase! Jesus ceased from His labour so I may rest in His grace. The Son of Man succeeding where I failed, the wrath of God now satisfied in Jesus, my Emmanuel. It is done, He’s alive! He is able to bring us life! Tetelestai!
John 10:28 - “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:9-11 – “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 19:25-30 – “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. 28After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. 29Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. 30When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
My hope is found in the Saviour’s words alone. He willingly laid down His life and gloriously He rolled away the stone. Christ fulfilled the law of God, He was deemed to be enough. The wedding bells of freedom ring! Now to you, Jesus, we will sing, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand!” It is finished, it is finished … Tetelestai!
In Loving Memory of Eugene Wray Worden, 1938 - 2014
Today’s Song: “It is Finished” Artist: Jimmy Needham
Writers: Jimmy Needham, Kevin Jones
