Day 45 · Year 1 · The Story of Scripture
The word that ends the bill
Three Greek words at the cross still settle the case.
Today's passage
John 19:28-30
28After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”
29A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth.
30When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit.
Berean Standard Bible · public domain
Reflection
'It is finished' is, in the original, one word — tetelestai. It was the word stamped on a paid invoice. Jesus does not gasp it out as defeat; John says he says it as accomplishment. Whatever debt the law had against you, whatever shame you keep finding new ways to pay off, the bill has 'paid in full' written across it. The cross does not mean you have to feel sorrow infinitely; it means the price was paid completely. When the accuser whispers that there is still more for you to pay, the answer is one word that was already shouted from a Roman cross.
From the great tradition · paraphrased
Martin Luther · Reformers · 16th c. · Germany
Luther reminded scrupulous believers that 'it is finished' is not a feeling we work up; it is a verdict from the cross that has already been handed down.
Paraphrase only. Scripture, not any teacher, is the authority.
Think it through
- What does Jesus say in verse 30, and what does it mean about the work of the cross?
- Why does John bother to tell us that Jesus was the one in control of the moment?
- What are you still trying to 'pay off' that the cross already settled?
A prayer to pray
Name the bill you keep trying to pay. Hand it to Christ and let his 'it is finished' be louder than your accuser.