It is finished!

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The words “It is finished” are translated from one Greek word: “tetelestai”. The word is an accounting term used in Jesus' times to indicate something that was “Paid in Full”. When I consider this aspect of the cross I think of the word redemption and this verse in Ephesians:

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace"

The idea of being redeemed speaks of a transaction where something owed was paid in full and ownership is transferred. There is a phrase in the Lord's prayer that is translated "forgive us our debts" or "forgive us our trespasses". Humanity's debt is one of love both to our creator and to each other. We are created to love and we trespass when we do not.

Many take this word “tetelestai” and see it from an accountant's perspective. I think that we miss the message when we reduce it to those terms. Jesus' death was the ultimate act of love. As his divine blood flowed down from the cross he was showing us how to love.. he was showing us what love really looks like. When he died his mission of love was finished. Our debt of love was paid in full and we were redeemed by love.

Help me to love Lord remembering the price love paid for my redemption.