Tetelesti

During this week, I made it a point to commit myself to attending the varied services building up to Easter morn. It has not been without a good share of learning and an improved understanding of scripture. The three hour service of Tre Ore with the pastoral meditations on the words spoken by Christ during the Crucifixion was very god at invoking thought.

Pastor Knea's message on the words "It is finished," were particularly stirring. These words come form the Gospel of John, Chapter 19, verse 30:

"When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished," and He 

bowed His head and gave up His spirit."

These words have crucial meaning for us.

In the Greek, these three words are represented by a single word: Tetelesti.

It is written in the Greek to show that it has very directed meaning defined in our English as a very specific message. In other words, this was not a generalized statement. It was directed to show that in taking the soured wine that all of the prophecies concerning His death had thus been fulfilled.

When Christ said, "It is finished," He was speaking in reference to what is written in Psalm 69, verse 2:

"They gave me also gall for my meat and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."

He was being obedient to the Father. He was fulfilling his purpose. This was yet another descriptor of his death similar to those in Isaiah, chapter 53 (which also clearly describes the mission behind His death).

It is crucial for us to know that His actions were atonement. His death was atonement for our sin. Isaiah clearly says this. The events of the day are predicted and fulfilled. He paid our debt.

So when you read this passage and your eyes rest upon "It is finished," know that this means so much more than just the end to His anguish or His death fast approaching. It means that the act has been fulfilled. The debt has been paid.

As our lips take His Body and His Blood, given and shed for our sins, remember that it is finished. The atonement for our sins was made complete. He said it himself. "It is finished."

Tetelesti! 

That was yesterday. It is now Saturday.

It was the Sabbath. While Mary and the Apostles grieved, observing the Sabbath, they had forgotten his promise of return. The next morning his Resurrection would be revealed.

For us this will be remembered tomorrow morning.