John 19:30 (CSB)
“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished.’ Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.”
This is not a sign of defeat. This is a shout of victory.
“It is finished.”
Three words in English. One in Greek: tetelestai.
It was a declaration used when a debt was paid in full. When justice had been satisfied.
And Jesus, suspended between heaven and earth, didn’t whisper it… He declared it.
Not “I am finished.”
Not “They finished me.”
But It—the mission, the ransom, the judgment, the atonement—is finished.
Make no mistake—this wasn’t the moment Jesus lost. It’s the moment Satan did.
This is where the serpent’s head was crushed.
Where wrath was absorbed.
Where righteousness was secured for sinners who had none of their own.
And it wasn’t nails that held Him there—it was love.
Nails can’t stop divinity. But love will submit to them… if it means redeeming the ones who drove them in.
And what about us?
Some of us are still trying to earn what Jesus already finished… still striving, performing, pretending, carrying guilt He already bore the weight of.
Let me be clear:
You don’t need to add anything to the cross.
You can’t.
“It is finished.”
Not “…until you mess up again.”
Not “…if you stay consistent.”
Not “…as long as you perform.”
Just… finished.
Takeaway: Your sin has been paid for. Your shame has been covered. Your hamster wheel of performance can stop.
The cross didn’t make salvation possible—it made it final.
