The Crucifixion of Jesus

Today is Good Friday – the day that Jesus was crucified. On Thursday Jesus was denied, betrayed, and then arrested. During the early hours of Friday morning various illegal trials took place during which Jesus was whipped and beaten and had a crown of thorns thrust on His head. Pilate brought Jesus out to the people hoping they would want Him released. However the people shouted for Jesus to be crucified. Luke tells us what happened:

“But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded” (Luke 23:23-24 NLT). Then in verse 33: “When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed Him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on His right and one on His left” (Luke 23:33 NLT).

The Roman soldiers did their job well. The nails were driven through the wrists to support the weight of the sagging body. For six hours Jesus hung naked, covered with cuts and bruises, a crude crown of thorns spiking His head and every fibre of his body twitching in agony as his chest heaved great gulping breaths.

Crucifixions were a messy business. The Romans, who seem to have got hold of the idea of crucifixion from the Phoenicians in the Punic Wars, became expert at this most awful form of execution. They reserved it the lower class in the Empire. And in particular it was for the penalty for slaves. It was so degrading that it wasn’t talked about in polite Roman society.

So there was Jesus, the innocent one dying between two criminals. There were three words that Jesus said that are so important to understand and accept. John recorded the last words of Christ on the cross. He said "It is finished!" (John 19:30 NLT) and then He died. It is finished! 

When we compare the four gospels we find a most interesting thing. The other three do not tell us that Jesus said, "It is finished." But they do tell us that He died with a great shout (Matt 27:50; Mk 15:37; Lk 23:46). On the other hand, John does not speak of the great shout, but does say that Jesus' last words were, “It is finished.” The explanation is that the great shout and the words, "It is finished," are one and the same thing. “It is finished” is one word in Greek - tetelestai and Jesus died with a shout of triumph on his lips. He did not say, "It is finished," in weary defeat; He said it as one who shouts of victory. He seemed to be broken on the Cross, but He knew that his victory was won.

The word tetelestai is unfamiliar to us, but it was used by various people in everyday life in those days. For example when a job was completed, the servant would say to the master - TELELESTAI - meaning they have completed the job the master gave them to do. The Jewish people would bring their sacrifice to be offered. After the high priest examined and accepted it he would say - TELELESTAI - meaning “It is perfect”, “It is accepted!” For the merchant - when a person purchased something, the merchant would take the money and hand the person a receipt that said “TELELESTAI” meaning “Paid In full”. The debt had been fully paid.

When Jesus shouted out “It is finished” TETELESTAI He was declaring that the work He came to do was finished. Max Lucado writes, “The history-long plan of redeeming humanity was finished. The message of God to humanity was finished. The works done by Jesus as a Man on earth were finished. The task of selecting and training followers was finished. The job was finished. The song had been sung. The blood had been poured. The sacrifice had been made. The sting of death had been removed. It was over.” TETELESTAI.

There is another word that has a very similar meaning. Redeem. To redeem something is to pay that thing off; it is to clear a debt by payment.

The Bible writers refer to the work of Jesus on the cross as just this. His redeeming work is where the penalty for our sins have been paid in full. Paul says: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace” (Ephesians 1:7 NIV).

Today, on this most significant day we remember the death of Jesus and how He had completed His mission. The work of redemption is finished. Our debts have been paid in full. Tetelestai. In prayer right now, pause and reflect on the death of Jesus, His immense sacrifice, the love and grace of God, and what this means for you today.