1. John 19.28-30
28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
2. [Transcontinental Railroad – Golden Spike Picture
The date was May 10th, 1869. That was the day the first Intercontinental Railroad in the world was finished; and it here in the USA. About 6 years earlier, the Central Pacific RR set toward the east-from Sacramento, California. Sometime a little later, the Union Pacific RR began to build west from Omaha, Nebraska. They were going to meet somewhere in the middle and tie this nation-east and west-together
They had unbelievable difficulties as they build through rough terrain-crossing the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains. They had to work through every kind of weather, but, in about 6 years the two RR’s met in northern Utah.
The officials of both Railroads were present for the driving of the last spike, which happened to be a golden spike. The newspaper headlines across this country read: “IT IS FINISHED, EAST AND WEST TIED TOGETHER!”
3. There is something special about completing a task or set of tasks on “To Do List”
a. A sense of accomplishment
b. A sense of fulfillment
c. A sense of practical application
4. Finished = Tetelestia in Greek; a common word with an uncommon application for Jesus
a. “Finished; Accomplished; Completed; Perfected”
b. It is not a cry of defeat – It’s finally over OR I am finished
c. It is a cry of accomplishment and victory
I. Jesus Accomplished His Father’s Will
A. God’s Will Sustained Him
John 4.34 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
Matthew 4.4 (cf. Deuteronomy 8.3)
B. God’s Will Sent Him
John 12.27 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.
John 18.37 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
C. God’s Will Subjected Him – Isaiah 53.10-12
10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
D. God’s Will Seated Him Hebrews 12.1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
1. HP in MHP – no chair – the work continued
2. Jesus sat down – work has been completed
II. Jesus Accomplished His Father’s Will (Tetelestai) As:
A. A Servant
1. Servant: “I have accomplished what you gave me to do.” Master: “Well done.”
2. John 17.4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.
3. Philippian 2.7-8 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
B. A Priest
1. Examined sacrifices brought to temple – “It is perfect/acceptable.” (Tetelestai)
2. Jesus is High Priest like Melchizedek
3. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice – John 1.29; Lamb Selection Day
C. A Merchant
1. Paid in Full Receipt at a purchase – Tetelestai
2. Jesus paid the full price for us – Hebrews 2.9
9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
D. An Artist (also Builder)
1. After finishing touches on a work of art (or completing a building project) – It is finished (tetelestai)
2. Jesus gives us a complete picture of the Messiah
Acts 2.23 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Isaiah 53; Psalm 22
Starting at Genesis 3.15
Passover Lamb of Exodus 12-14; 1 Corinthians 5.7 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
John 3.14 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
III. Jesus Accomplished His Father’s Will and Defeated Satan
A. Jesus Appeared to be Defeated
1. Tony Campolo: “It’s Friday but Sunday’s Coming”
2. Satan Thought, :I am finished.” But Jesus said, “IT is finished!”
3. Death knell for the adversary in the Death, burial, and ultimate resurrection
B. Tetelestai = Cry of Victory
• 1 John 3.8 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
• John 12.31 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
• Hebrews 2.14 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
C. Satan Still Fights from Defeat
1. [Saddam Hussein leaving Kuwait in defeat destroyed oil fields in retreating
2. To really hurt someone, attack their children – Satan attacks us to hurt the heart of the Father
3. Our sins bring tears to the eyes of God
1. We are fighting FROM victory, not for it
2. “It is finished!” Game Over; We Win!
3. 2 Corinthians 5.17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
a. New Position – In Christ
b. New Personality – New Creature
c. New Potential – All New
