It is Finished – A Red Letter Day
Jesus is agonizingly set between two thieves. His feet and hands are nailed to a wooden cross. There at the foot of the cross, many mocked, some cried, and I am confident there were those—in complete silence. After the vinegar water was offered to Jesus, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). He then bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
“It is finished.” Those beautiful words in red. The word in Greek is amazing! Stand back and take in the whole Technicolor filled screen. I don’t think even Steven Spielberg with all his creative genius could convey the scene that was unfolding upon humanity. “It is finished” (Tetelestai) to bring to an end—to fulfill.1 “To complete something, not merely to end it, but to bring it to perfection or its destined goal.”2 What is done corresponds to what has been said, ordered or commanded. “Not My will, but Your will be done” (Jesus, Lk 22:42). Grammatically, it is in the “perfect tense.” Meaning, the action was completed in the past. Done. Yet with results continuing in the present. Basically, “This happened, and it is still in effect TODAY.” The gift that keeps on giving! Jesus’ physical work on earth was completed, and Scripture was fulfilled.
As Jesus said this, His blood flowing down His forehead, from His hands and His feet. His sacrifice now eliminates the debt owed by mankind (you and me). May we take careful notice, Jesus didn’t say “I am finished.” That would imply He is a mere man and dies defeated. What was finished was not Jesus’ life—it was everything keeping us from God.
Imagine with me, way back in ancient days, at the very beginning, you can almost hear the divine whisper as God sends Man & Woman out of the Garden, “It’s okay, I’ve got a plan.” He was going to complete the destined goal—personally.
“It is finished.”
Jesus is ultimately laid in the tomb. Where God spares NO detail. Looking back, instructions for building the Tabernacle and the divine furniture, “Make the atonement cover (Also known as the MERCY SEAT) of pure gold… Make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. Make one cherub on one end and the second at the other end” (Ex. 25:17-19). HERE the blood sacrifice was placed by the Priest (Lev 16:14). Fast forward, John 20:12, Mary “saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.” Because of blood—Jesus’ blood, God’s requirement of sinful man is now satisfied. HE is the Lamb of God. HE is our High Priest.
When Jesus rose from the dead and the stone was found rolled away it was NOT so He, the Son of God, Who walked on water, could get out. It was so mankind could get in! Get in and see “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying” (Matt 28:6).
Jesus rises from the dead triumphantly (Happy Easter) the bridge back to the Father is perfected. He engages and commissions the disciples. Returns to heaven to reign (But He’s coming back!) Does it end here for us? No. Now we the church with the authority given by Jesus Himself, as inspired and power given by Holy Spirit, we carry on with the red-letter commands, statements, and tender words.
Move over Easter Bunny, here comes the risen King! Let’s all stand to our feet! With loud shouts of praise, and enthusiastic applause! “It is Finished! Relationship offered; relationship restored.
When Jesus died and with His resurrection power, He successfully completed the work He came to do. The plan, the process of God. Now may we live each day as a red-letter day! Celebrating with a fresh revelation of our God!
Jesus said He’d rise again—He did. He said He’d come back again—He will.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds“- Hebrews 10:24).
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1 Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible; with Hebrew, Chaldee and Greek Dictionaries. James Strong.
2 Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament. Spiros Zodhiates, AMG Publishers.
It is FINISHED, Red Letter Easter!
Have you ever sat and read through the New Testament and read ONLY the words in red? Jesus’ words. For a completely new perspective, I challenge us to do just that. I know context is everything, but let’s step out of the exegesis box (interpreting the scriptures) for a brief moment, to get an amazing snapshot of Jesus, His strength, authority, His love, and compassion.
Without all the narrative, those stand-alone red words pack a powerful punch, knowing they are Jesus. There are dramatic statements, strong commands, and tender words. “Let it be so…” (Matthew 3:15) “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4) “Get up…” (Matthew 9:6) “Take courage it is I…” (Matthew 14:27) “Quiet, be still…” (Mark 4:39) “Come forth …” (John 11:43) “Don’t be afraid just believe…” (Mark 5:36) “What do you want Me to do for you…” (Mark 10:51) “Who do you say I am…” (Luke 9:20) “Then neither do I condemn you...” (John 8:11) “I am He…” (John 18:6).
These are just a few, but there is one more that stands out among the rest. Here I do want to set the context. Jesus is agonizingly set between two thieves. His feet and hands are nailed to a wooden cross. There at the foot of the cross, many mocked, some cried and I am confident there were those in complete silence. After the vinegar water was given to Jesus, He said “It is FINISHED…” (John 19:30 emphasis mine) He then bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
It is finished. (Hang with me, this is GOOD God stuff!) The word in Greek is amazing! Stand back and take in the whole Technicolor filled screen, I don’t think even Steven Spielberg with all his creative genius could convey the scene that was unfolding upon humanity. It is finished, (Tetelestai) “To bring to an end, to fulfill. What is done corresponds to what has been said, ordered or commanded. (“Not My will, but Your will be done.” – Jesus, Luke 22:42, Matthew 26:39) It is accomplishing something not merely to end it, but bring it to perfection for its designed goal.”* (Please read that again) It signifies the successful end to a particular course of action. Grammatically in the Greek, it is a crucial word; it is in the ‘perfect tense.’ Meaning the action was completed in the past with results continuing in the present. Basically, “This happened and it is still in effect TODAY.” One might say, “The gift that keeps on giving.” This is different from ‘past tense’ which points to an event, declaring ‘This happened.’ Nothing more. The end.
NOT our Jesus, He is our NOW God!
As Jesus said this, His blood flowing down His forehead, from His hands and His feet, He declares sharply, His sacrifice, now eliminating the debt owed by mankind … you and me. May we take careful notice, Jesus didn’t say. “I am finished.” That would imply He a mere man and die defeated. Instead, He declares, “It is finished.“ When He died and with His resurrection power, He left no unfinished business behind, He successfully completed the work He came to do.
As the pages turn from Genesis to this very moment, God’s story is fulfilled. Does it end here? No! But the bridge back to the Father is perfected. Jesus rises from the dead triumphantly (Happy Easter) 
engages and commissions the disciples, returns to heaven to reign forever. Now we the church, with the authority given by Jesus Himself, as inspired by Holy Spirit carry on with the red letter commands, statements, and tender words.
Move over Easter Bunny, here comes the risen King! “It is finished!” Relationship offered, relationship restored. May we live each day as a red letter day!
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”- Hebrews 10:24)
* Resources: Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Vine’s Expository of New Testament Words, Strong’s Greek Dictionary, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, NASB Hebrew-Greek Dictionary, Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon. Greek Interlinear Bible words it: “He said, “It has been accomplished.” (Yes, I am a God loving, His daughter, geek)
IT IS FINISHED, Red Letter Easter!
Have you ever sat and read through the New Testament and read ONLY the words in red? Jesus’ words. For a completely new perspective, I challenge us to do just that. I know context is everything, but let’s step out of the exegesis box (interpreting the scriptures) for a brief moment, to get an amazing snap shot of Jesus, His strength, authority, His love and compassion.
Without all the narrative, those stand alone red words pack a powerful punch, knowing they are Jesus. There are dramatic statements, strong commands and tender words. “Let it be so…” (Matthew 3:15) “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4) “Get up…” (Matthew 9:6) “Take courage it is I…” (Matthew 14:27) “Quiet, be still…” (Mark 4:39) “Come forth …” (John 11:43) “Don’t be afraid just believe…” (Mark 5:36) “What do you want Me to do for you…” (Mark 10:51) “Who do you say I am…” (Luke 9:20) “Then neither do I condemn you...” (John 8:11) “I am He…” (John 18:6).
These are just a few, but there is one more that stands out among the rest. Here I do want to set the context. Jesus is agonizingly set between two thieves. His feet and hands are nailed to a wooden cross. There at the foot of the cross, many mocked, some cried and I am confident there were those in complete silence. 
After the vinegar water was given to Jesus, He said “It is FINISHED…” (John 19:30 emphasis mine) He then bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
It is finished. The word in the Greek is amazing! Stand back and take in the whole Technicolor filled screen, I don’t think even Steven Spielberg with all his creative genius could convey the scene that was unfolding upon humanity. It is finished, (Tetelestai) “To bring to an end, to fulfill. What is done corresponds to what has been said, ordered or commanded. (“Not My will, but Your will be done.” – Jesus, Luke 22:42, Matthew 26:39) It is accomplishing something not merely to end it, but bring it to perfection for its designed goal.”* (Please read that again) It signifies the successful end to a particular course of action. Grammatically in the Greek, it is a crucial word; it is in the ‘perfect tense.’ Meaning the action was completed in the past with results continuing in the present. Basically, “This happened and it is still in effect TODAY.” One might say, “The gift that keeps on giving.” This is different from ‘past tense’ which points to an event, declaring ‘This happened.’ Nothing more. The end.
NOT our Jesus, He is our NOW God!
As Jesus said this, His blood flowing down His forehead, from His hands and His feet, He declares sharply, His sacrifice, now eliminating the debt owed by mankind … you and me. May we take careful notice, Jesus didn’t say. “I am finished.” That would imply He a mere man and died defeated. Instead, He declares, “It is finished.” When He died and with His resurrection power, He left no unfinished business behind, He successfully completed the work He came 
to do.
As the pages turn from Genesis to this very moment, God’s story is fulfilled. Does it end here? No! But the bridge back to the Father is perfected. Jesus rises from the dead triumphantly (Happy Easter) engages and commissions the disciples, returns to heaven to reign forever. Now we the church, with the authority given by Jesus Himself, as inspired by Holy Spirit carry on with the red letter commands, statements and tender words.
Move over Easter Bunny, here comes the risen King! “It is finished!” Relationship offered, relationship restored. May we live each day as a red letter day!
Blessed Easter to you and yours,
In Him, DeDe & Mark (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”~ Hebrews 10:24)
* Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Vine’s Expository of New Testament Words, Strong’s Greek Dictionary, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, NASB Hebrew-Greek Dictionary, Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon. Greek Interlinear Bible words it: “He said, “It has been accomplished.” (Yes, I am a geek)
Easter, A Redletter Day!
Have you ever sat and read through the New Testament and read ONLY the words in red? Jesus’ words. For a completely new perspective, I challenge us to do just that. I know context is everything, but step out of the exegesis box (interpreting the scriptures) for a brief moment, to get an amazing snap shot of Jesus. His strength, authority and tenderness.His love, and compassion.
Without all the narrative, those red words pack a powerful punch, knowing that Jesus says them. There 
are dramatic statements, strong commands, tender words. “Let it be so…” (Matt. 3:15) “It is written…” (Matt.4:4) “Get up…” (Matt. 9:6) “Take courage it is I…” (Matt 14:27) “Quiet, Be still…” (Mark 4:39) “Come forth …” (Jn. 11:43) “Don‘t be afraid just believe…” (Mark 5:36) “What do you want Me to do for you…” (Mark 10:51) “Who do you say I am…“ (Lk. 9:20) “Then neither do I condemn you…” (Jn. 8:11) “I am He…” (Jn. 18:6).
These are just a few, but there is one more that to me stands out among the rest. Here I do want to set the context. Jesus is agonizingly set between two thieves. His feet and hands are nailed to a wooden cross. Hours earlier, He knelt in a garden declaring for all humanity “Abba Father … everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
There at the foot of the cross, many mocked, some cried and I am confident there were those in complete silence. After the vinegar was given to Jesus, He said “It is FINISHED…” ( Jn. 19:30 ~ emphasis mine) He then bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
It is finished. The word in the Greek alone paints the most vibrant color filled picture: “To complete 
something not merely to end it, but to bring it to perfection or its destined goal”* As the pages turn from Genesis to this very moment, God’s story is fulfilled. Does it end here? No. But the bridge back to the Father is perfected. Jesus rises from the dead triumphantly (Happy Easter) engages and commissions the disciples, returns to heaven to reign forever. Now we the church, as inspired by the Holy Spirit, carry on with the red letter commands, statements and tender words.
Move over Easter Bunny, here comes the risen King! “It is finished.” Now lets live like it really IS! Relationship offered, relationship restored. May we live each day as a red letter day!
Blessed Easter to you and yours,
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” ~ Heb. 10:24)
* ‘Teleo’ – Quote from the Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament.
Inspired Fountain 
