"It is finished" is a translation of the Greek word {Tetelestai} the perfect indicative tense of the word telos which means; to end, to bring to conclusion, to accomplish, to fulfill, or to finish. First, this was Jesus exclamation that He had finished the work that the Father had sent Him to do. The work having been accomplished, Jesus bowed his head and died. One scholar noted when a servant was sent on a mission and later return- ed to his master; he would say "Tetelestai," meaning "I have done exactly what you requested" or "The mission is now accomplished." Jesus gave a mighty shout to let His Father know the work of the cross was done and the victory won!! Second, this word tetelestai was the equivalent of the Hebrew word spoken by the High Priest when he presented a sacrificial lamb without spot or blemish. As Jesus hung on the cross, He was both Lamb of God and our High Priest. He offered up the perfect sacrifice, His own precious blood to cleanse and atone for our sins. Atonement was completed, perfected, and fully accomplished!! Third, in the secular sense, the word tetelestai was used to signify the full payment of a debt, The parchment on which the debt was recorded was stamped with the word tetlestai, which meant the debt had been paid in full. Jesus paid the price for sin that no one else could ever pay; He paid the debt of sin we owed. Finally, the Greek sense of the word declares a turning point when one era ends and a new era begins. The justice of God being fully satisfied by the perfect offering of the Only Son; now God's divine mercy would avail. The New Covenant of God's grace and mercy and His redeeming love had begun!! It is finished!!
_________________Martin G. Smith