As the final breath of Jesus Christ drew near, the heavens leaned in to hear His triumphant cry: “It is finished.” With this declaration, the Lamb of God, suspended between earth and heaven, nailed to a Roman cross, announced not defeat, not exhaustion, not surrender—but completion. “It is finished” is not the gasp of a victim; it is the proclamation of a Victor. This sixth word, though brief in syllables, is boundless in meaning. It is the crescendo of Calvary, the declaration that the redemptive work had been fully accomplished.
In the original Greek, this phrase is rendered as “Tetelestai.” This single word was commonly used in several contexts. A servant would say it to a master upon the completion of a task; an artist might say it when a work of art was completed; a merchant would stamp it on a bill to indicate that a debt had been fully paid. And a priest might declare it when a spotless lamb had been examined and found worthy for sacrifice. Jesus, the Servant, the Artist, the Merchant, and the High Priest, declared “It is finished” not with resignation, but with revelation.
Let us begin with the setting. Jesus has spoken five words already. He has forgiven His enemies, welcomed a repentant thief into paradise, cared for His mother, cried out in divine abandonment, and declared His thirst. And now, after enduring the fullness of pain, both physical and spiritual, He lifts up His voice and declares, “It is finished.” This was not a whisper—it was a loud voice (Matthew 27:50, KJV). Even in death, Jesus did not lose His authority. He did not die as a broken man, but as a Sovereign King finishing His assignment.
“It is finished.” What was finished? Not merely His life, but His mission. The eternal purpose for which He had come—the redemption of mankind—had been fully achieved. Jesus had completed the task given to Him by the Father. From the virgin womb to the virgin tomb, from the cradle to the Cross, from Bethlehem to Golgotha, every prophecy had been fulfilled. Every type and shadow of the Old Testament had now found its substance in Him. The Passover Lamb had been slain. The blood had been applied. The curse had been broken.
First, “It is finished” means that the plan of redemption was complete. From the foundation of the world, the Lamb had been slain in the mind of God (Revelation 13:8, KJV). The fall of man in Genesis necessitated a plan to reconcile humanity back to God. The sacrificial system of the Old Testament was temporary and symbolic, pointing toward a perfect sacrifice. Jesus was that sacrifice. He did not die as a martyr—He died as a substitute. The veil of the temple would soon be torn, signifying that the way into the holiest place was now open. No more sacrifices. No more priestly rituals. Jesus fulfilled the law and satisfied divine justice.
Second, “It is finished” declares that the price of sin had been paid in full. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23, KJV). But Jesus, who knew no sin, became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21, KJV). His blood was not a partial payment—it was the full ransom. Tetelestai! Paid in full. Nothing more needs to be added to the Cross. No religious works. No striving. No rituals. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. His death settled the debt permanently.
Third, “It is finished” signifies that Satan’s authority had been broken. From the Garden of Eden, the serpent had wielded the weapon of sin and death over humanity. But Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8, KJV). At the Cross, Jesus disarmed principalities and powers, triumphing over them (Colossians 2:15, KJV). What appeared to be defeat was actually divine strategy. Through death, He destroyed him who had the power of death—that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14, KJV). Hell was not celebrating—the gates were shaking. The enemy had bruised His heel, but Jesus was crushing his head.
Fourth, “It is finished” declares that the prophetic Scriptures had been fulfilled. From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament pointed to the Messiah. More than 300 prophecies spoke of His birth, life, suffering, death, and resurrection. From the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15) to the suffering servant of Isaiah 53, to the pierced hands and feet of Psalm 22—every word was now fulfilled. Jesus lived in obedience to Scripture and died in fulfillment of it. Not one jot or tittle passed away unfulfilled. He was the Word made flesh—and that Word was now completed.
Fifth, “It is finished” means that access to God had been restored. The veil in the temple—four inches thick and 60 feet high—was torn from top to bottom the moment Jesus gave up the ghost (Matthew 27:51, KJV). This was not an act of man—it was the hand of God. The veil represented separation, a barrier between sinful man and holy God. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year. But now, through Jesus, we have boldness to enter into the holiest by His blood (Hebrews 10:19, KJV). The veil of separation is gone. Relationship is restored. We are no longer outsiders—we are sons and daughters.
“It is finished” also means that our shame, guilt, and condemnation were cancelled. Every sin, every stain, every failure was nailed to the Cross. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us… and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14, KJV). The accuser has lost his case. The courtroom of heaven is silent. The gavel has struck: “It is finished.” We do not fight for victory—we fight from victory. Jesus has settled the verdict. The blood speaks better things than that of Abel (Hebrews 12:24, KJV). Where Abel’s blood cried for vengeance, Jesus’ blood cries for mercy.
And finally, “It is finished” becomes our life message. We are called to live in the finished work of Christ. We do not need to earn salvation—we receive it. We do not live under law—we live under grace. We do not wrestle for approval—we stand in acceptance. Because Jesus finished His work, we can now begin ours—from a place of rest, not striving. We are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6, KJV). The work of redemption is done, but the work of evangelism continues. We preach the Cross because it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16, KJV).
This Word also reminds us that every assignment has an end. Jesus didn’t say, “I am finished.” He said, “It is finished.” His life was not taken—it was given. He did not quit—He completed. This is the calling for every believer: finish well. Complete your assignment. Run your race. Fight the good fight. Hear Him say, “Well done.” Jesus is our model of finishing strong. He began with the Word in His mouth and ended with victory in His voice.
As believers, we must declare “It is finished” over every area of our lives. Over sin: It is finished. Over fear: It is finished. Over generational curses, torment, and oppression: It is finished. The Cross is not a symbol of shame—it is the banner of victory. We carry this Word in our hearts, proclaiming that the work is done, the battle is won, and the King reigns forever.
Selah Moment with Prophetess Dr. Althea Winifred
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