These are not just words of surrender.
They are a shout of victory, a declaration of completion, and a testament of divine love poured out for humanity.
“It is finished.” (John 19:30)
These were not the words of a broken man—they were the words of a King completing His mission.
The Mission Foretold
From the very beginning, God had a plan.
After the fall of Adam and Eve, God promised a Redeemer:
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall crush your head…” (Genesis 3:15)
This was the first prophecy of Christ—the Protoevangelium—and the entire Old Testament builds toward the coming of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Why Did He Do It?
Not because we deserved it. Not because we earned it.
But because He loved us first.
“In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)
Jesus became the atoning sacrifice, the sin-bearer, the wrath-absorber, and the bridge back to the Father.
“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:4-5)
“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross…” (1 Peter 2:24)
What Was Finished?
When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” He used the Greek word “tetelestai”—an accounting term meaning: “Paid in full.”
At that moment:
- The debt of sin was satisfied (Colossians 2:14)
- The Old Covenant was fulfilled, and the New and Eternal Covenant was inaugurated in His Blood (Hebrews 9:15)
- The power of death and hell was broken (Hebrews 2:14)
- The veil of the Temple was torn in two, symbolizing direct access to the Father (Matthew 27:51)
He completed every prophecy, fulfilled the will of the Father (John 6:38), and gave His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
A Catholic Understanding
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) explains this with depth and reverence:
- “Jesus consummated His sacrifice on the cross… It is love ‘to the end’ that confers on Christ’s sacrifice its value as redemption and reparation…” (CCC 616)
- “The sacrifice of Christ is unique; it completes and surpasses all other sacrifices.” (CCC 614)
This is not a mere historical moment—it is the central event in human history, the axis of salvation.
What Does It Mean for Us?
It means you were worth dying for.
It means your sins can be forgiven.
It means the Father’s arms are open wide to welcome you home.
But His final words also call for a response.
Will you remain lukewarm?
Or will you live in a way that honors His sacrifice?
Jesus gave everything.
Now is the time to give Him everything back.
