Tetelestai: The Cry of the Victorious One

Read: Matthew 27:27-50

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

Matthew 27:50

Death has lost

Death had no hold over the sinless Son of God, He yielded up His spirit.

Jesus experienced excruciating physical agony, yet the separation from God the Father was the most unbearable. The act of being judged for sin, our sin, was what Jesus dreaded the most, the cup of God’s righteous wrath, that He trembled at drinking. He did it so that you and I would not have to drink that cup. Jesus demonstrated remarkable resilience. Despite being subjected to immense torture and experiencing significant physical weakness, He remained conscious and able to speak until the moment of His death.

Amid His staggering display of love, instead of being honored, Jesus was mocked and reviled. They mocked Him as a Savior, as a King, as the Son of God, and even as one who believes in God. But when He had fulfilled all of the law and the prophecy, Jesus yielded His Spirit.

Unlike most victims of crucifixion who spent their last hours in complete exhaustion or unconsciousness before death, Jesus was conscious and able to speak right up to the moment of His death. Jesus said “It is finished” (John 19:30) which is one word in the ancient Greek tetelestai, which means paid in full. This was the cry of a winner. Jesus fully paid the debt of sin that you and I owed, finishing the eternal purpose of the cross. He gave up his life because He willed it when He willed it, and as He willed it. (Augustine).

As you ponder the cross and it’s implications, does it make you wonder, what kind of love is this?

What does it mean to you to know that Jesus willingly laid down His life for you? How does that impact the way you live your life? How does reflecting on the price that Jesus paid on the cross affect your perspective on the value of human life and the worth of each individual? With whom can you share the message of Jesus’ sacrifice this week?

Prayer

Lord Jesus thank you for willingly laying down your life for me so that I might have life and life in abundance. Amen.

Scripture Writing: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Song: What kind of love is this?