Finished

The Greek is tetelestai, only one word. In just about every English translation there are three words, “It is finished.”

It is not odd that Jesus would say this. Only two verses earlier, John informs us that Jesus knew that all things had already been accomplished. We often focus on the “finished” part of the phrase.

What about the “it?” Think for a minute about all the times Jesus spoke of His work. “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to accomplish His work.” The word "accomplish" here is the same Greek word. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent me.” Even in Gethsemane, He said, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Surely, the “it” isn’t all of the work of God. There was more that had to be accomplished. Including our work for the Lord. Perhaps when Jesus said, “It is finished,” He had in His heart the idea that He had accomplished all that God wanted Him to do.

My question is, when we come to the end of our work or our life will we be able to say, “It is finished?” Will we have done to the best of our ability all that God has asked us to do for Him?  We are a small part of the greater work of God. You know, vessels for Him.

There is certainly no spiritual requirement that we all be preachers. However, if we choose to be preachers, and if we believe it is what God wants us to do, we need to give it everything we have. We need to be able to say when we come to the end of our work, “It is finished.”