Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:28-30

Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.
Matthew 27:50-53

• John 19:30 records the last words of Jesus Christ before His death: "When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
• The phrase translated "It is finished" is a single Greek word: Tetelestai 
• This is not a cry of defeat, exhaustion, or surrender, but a triumphant declaration of completion. It marks the fulfillment of everything necessary for our salvation.
• There are three primary things that were "finished" on the cross,
• The Finished Work of Redemption: Tetelestai signifies the complete and perfect satisfaction of God's demands for sin.
• Christ's entire life and death were a careful, deliberate fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies, proving He was the promised Messiah.
• Satisfaction of God's Justice: The most critical work finished was the Atonement.
• The Law demands a perfect life (which no one can provide) or the penalty of death for sin (Romans 6:23).
• Jesus, the sinless Son of God, served as the Substitute for His people, enduring the full wrath of God against sin.
• Tetelestai means the price for sin has been paid in full. This is a term frequently found on ancient receipts, marking a completed financial transaction. The debt owed to divine justice by humanity is completely settled.
• Salvation is complete and sufficient in Christ alone. There is absolutely nothing left for the believer to contribute to their salvation; it is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• The Finished Ministry of the Law: The declaration marks the end of the Old Covenant system as a means of salvation.

• End of the Sacrificial System: The entire system of animal sacrifices, offerings, and ceremonial rites pointed forward to this final, perfect sacrifice.
  
  • When Christ died, the Temple veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This event physically symbolized the tearing away of the barrier between God and humanity.
  • The sacrificial system was now obsolete because the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice had been made (Hebrews 10:14).
• Fulfillment, Not Annulment: Jesus did not destroy the Law; He fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17). He provided the perfect obedience and bore the required penalty that the Law demanded.
• Believers no longer stand under the condemnation of the Law, nor are they required to earn merit through works or rituals to find acceptance with God. They have direct access to the Father through the finished work of Christ.
• The Finished Defeat of Sin and Satan: The crucifixion completed Christ's victory over the spiritual enemies of humanity.

• Defeat of Sin's Power: By dying and then rising, Christ broke the power and bondage of sin in the lives of those who believe. The legal requirement for sin's punishment has been met, and the reign of sin is broken (Romans 6:6).
• Defeat of Satan's Authority: The cross was Satan's greatest strategic failure.
  
  • Scripture tells us that through death, Christ destroyed "him who has the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14).
  • Jesus' death disarmed the "rulers and authorities" and "put them to open shame" (Colossians 2:15). The enemy's power to accuse and condemn believers based on their sin was completely neutralized.
• The believer is now assured of eternal security and ultimate victory. While the spiritual battle continues, the outcome is settled. The enemy has no legal ground to claim those whose debt has been stamped Tetelestai.

• Christ's final word was the declaration that the plan of redemption was complete. Every necessary requirement for salvation was perfectly met.
• It. Is. Finished. 
• Jesus Saves

Remember that because Jesus declared "It is Finished," we live under the assurance of His all-sufficient sacrifice. Our hope rests entirely on His completed work, giving us peace, security, and direct access to God. Share that truth with the world.