This is a pretty short blog post, but I thought it was cool, so yeah.

“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his Spirit.” John 19:28-30 NIV

The last words Jesus says on the cross are “It is finished.”

But he used the Greek word tetelstai which has three different terms it can be used in.

• Terms of war.

• Terms of judicial law.

• Terms of service.

So what do they all mean?

1. Terms of war: It’s used when a battle is won, especially a large battle.
2. Terms of judicial law: It’s used when somebody has sinned (which meant to miss the mark) or failed. They owe something. But it means that their judgement is over and they are free now.
3. Terms of service: It was used when someone owes a debt and that debt has been paid.

When Jesus said “Tetelestai,” he was saying, “The spiritual battle is won. You are no longer judged. You are free. Your debt has been paid.”

How crazy and beautiful is that?!

~Willow