‘It is finished’

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, “It is finished.” And bowing his head, he handed
over the spirit. John 19:30

The Greek word tetelestai literally translates as “it is complete” or “it is accomplished” and
at first reflection it seems to me that Jesus was letting out a cry of defeat when He uttered
these final words upon the cross. But when webponder it further, it is like the most beautiful
song beautiful song, this was a cry of love and triumph.
This statement is traditionally called "The Word of Triumph" and is theologically interpreted
as the announcement of the end of the earthly life of Jesus, in anticipation for the
Resurrection.
Adam Hamilton writes: "These last words are seen as a cry of victory, not of dereliction.
Jesus had now completed what he came to do. A plan was fulfilled; a salvation was made
possible; a love shown. He had taken our place. He had demonstrated both humanity's
brokenness and God's love. He had offered himself fully to God as a sacrifice on behalf of
humanity. As he died, it was finished. With these words, the noblest person who ever walked
the face of this planet, God in the flesh, breathed his last."
The verse has also been translated as "It is consummated or completed."
This is:

1.) A cry of victory.

2.) The announcement of fulfilled obedience or completed tasked to God.

3.) Thus we have to live a life of purpose, focus, obedience, trust and faith on the
completed work of our Lord on the cross.

Being finished is living our lives not for ourselves but for God "I have been crucified with
Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Finally, to say "It is finished," we must be willing to suffer to achieve God's purpose for our
lives. We continue in the sunny summer days as well as the stormy winters of our lives. We
don't give up just because things are difficult. We are willing to suffer whatever is necessary
to complete the Father's plan for our lives.

When our lives are over, we want to be able to say with St. Paul,

"The time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only
to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
I pray that we may finish well and complete the tasks that God has set for us to do. That we
may have a good report when we returned to Him.