²⁸After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished … ^30aTherefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

Tetelestai”—that is the Greek word for “It is finished” (vs. 30). In verse 28, using the same Greek word we read that “all things had already been accomplished.” (Note: While the NASB and NKJV inexplicably translate the same word different, the ESV, NIV and NET versions translates them consistently). Everything Jesus had set out to do when He entered this world has been completed on the cross.

The book of Hebrews enlightens us about what this means by quoting from the prophetic Psalm 40 to describe Jesus’ purpose for coming into the world: “Behold, I have come … to do Your will, O God.” (Heb. 10:7, also vs. 9). Also,

“By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all … For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” (Heb. 10:10, 14)

Jesus is saying that the work of the cross is now finished, the sacrifice for sins accomplished once and for all!

But how can He say that when He had not yet died? For this, we must keep in mind, first, that He is speaking prophetically, which often depicts future events as having already happened. Second, we must remember that Jesus was at the point of death, and He could not very well proclaim “it is finished” after dying. He spoke at the very point of death, ushering in the once-for-all sacrifice for all time. In fact, the night before His crucifixion, in His Upper Room prayer to His heavenly Father, He used similar words in the past tense:

“I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4)

Tetelestai! Jesus’ spiritual to-do list could be summarized with one item alone: to do the Father’s will by sacrificing Himself for our sins. Everything He did—every miracle, parable, and teaching—was done in support of this overriding purpose. Jesus’ death was not just the last thing He did, nor was it just the best thing He did. Everything else is derivative; everything else points to the task He was sent to do. His death for our sins was His entire purpose; that is why the name given to Him by the angel sent from God was Jesus because He came to “save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Now, the purpose had been fulfilled; no more needs to be done to procure our salvation, to satisfy the righteous demands of the law, for judgment on sin—Tetelestai! We are forgiven!

Lord, Your perfection is evident in Your once-for-all-time sacrifice. I rest in knowing that nothing I do can make You love me more or love me less. Therefore, I worship You!