The Importance of “Tetelestai”
Easter Sunday 2021
Introduction
Today, Christians everywhere celebrate the miraculous resurrection of Jesus
His victory over the grave is why we celebrate and have hope in this place
Truth is, if it wasn’t for Jesus … we’d be hopeless
We’d be alone in a world that cares very little for us, individually
We would be lost and without purpose, because life would have no good ending
Hard truth: Each of us has earned a penalty of death because of our sins
However, Jesus willingly went to the cross to suffer a death that we deserved
Because of Jesus, we are offered the gift of eternal life
It’s through His death, His resurrection, and His authority that we have hope
Today, I’d like us to not only remember this – but celebrate and rejoice
Like to focus on what He said on the cross, and why it is SO important to us
Jesus’ final word on the cross was “Tetelestai” which means “it is finished”
Today, as we remember and celebrate, I’d like to amplify “WHY”
Pray
Read John 19:28-30
Facts:
• No death was more scandalous than crucifixion
• It was a dreadful way to die; designed to be hideous and strike fear
• It was also disrespectful; meant to damage the reputation of the condemned
Blood drenched Jesus’ torso, pouring from His head and brow, running like rivers from the deeply torn flesh in His hands and feet. The effect of the scourging that Jesus had received in Pilate’s palace began to take its toll as His body swelled up and became horribly discolored. His eyes were matted with the blood that poured from the wounds in His brow - wounds caused by the crown of thorns that bore down into His skull as the soldiers pushed it hard upon His head. The whole scene was ugly, unsightly, repulsive, sickening, vile, foul, and revolting.
And still, at the end Jesus said, “It Is Finished”. So, what does that mean to us?
Point 1 - IT
It can be anything that you need it to be
It is everything that you’re dealing with today
Every pain, every sorrow, every failed deed, and every sin you’ve taken part in
IT is what God looked at humanity and said, “I know what they need”
You see, you and I could never come to God on our own authority or talents
Because of our sin, we needed another avenue of hope – we needed a sacrifice
RE: God cannot be where sin is – it’s why there is no sin in Heaven
Heaven is a place of perfection – and God’s creation of you shows His love for you
But we needed a Savior in order to provide a way for us to be with Him
When Jesus went to the cross:
• He bore our griefs and our sorrows
• He was beaten and bruised for our iniquities
• His body was broken so that we could have peace
• Simply stated: He suffered a death that you and I should have
One writer has noted that when a servant was sent on a mission and then later returned to his master, he would say, “Tetelestai,” meaning, “I have done exactly what you requested” or “the mission (“IT”) is accomplished.”
When Jesus declared these words, he proclaimed there was nothing else to do
Truly, the mission (IT) was completed on the cross for you and me!
TR: But what did His death signify? Let’s look at the active word here:
Point 2 – IS
Important note: This is the present tense of the verb; it is active and alive
It represents that what is being done … and will be completed for all time
What did Jesus do?
• He entered the Holiest place before the Father and offered His own blood
• Willingly gave up His life so that we would not be punished for our sin
• It was a sacrifice so complete that nothing else would be required
• Hebrews 9:12 says, “… he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.” – Truly, He paid it all!
The death of Jesus was part of God’s divine plan to save/rescue humanity
Without Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, no one would have eternal life
It is also the final way of redemption because nothing else would suffice
John 14:6 tells us, “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life …”
Our fate is to one day die – this is a fact of life: no one gets out alive
But with Jesus, we learn there is more than just life – there is a forever state
It’s where Jesus is today with the Father (God); where there is peace
It is where all of this began, with the words of God, “Let there be light”
And today, it is where you can be when this life ends and we step into eternity
MORTAL REMINDERS:
• Before you were born you never existed
• Once you die – you will always exist in one of two places
• Those two places are Heaven and Hell … Romans 6:23 (wages of sin)
• Jesus died to provide a way to be redeemed, forgiven of sin, debt paid
• By His actions, we can be saved for all eternity by accepting Him
When Jesus offered up the word “IS”, He said “I’m doing what you asked, Dad”
TR: And when the work was completed, He said, it is … FINISHED!
Point 3 - FINISHED
Jesus, supernaturally, offered Himself up to pay the debt we owe
Colossians 1:14 tells us, “… in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”
FACT: What Jesus did is what we could not do – we are unable
He paid a debt He did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay,
I needed someone, to wash my sins away.
And now I sing a brand-new song, Amazing Grace the whole day long,
Christ Jesus paid a debt, that I could never pay!
What Jesus finished could never be accomplished by any human action
Get this: No good intention can rescue you from your sin, either
It is only because of Jesus that we have hope today; have hope of restoration/life
Isaiah 53:4-5 says, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
For humanity, this is our turning point– it is why we worship what Jesus did
But there is more – so much more which we need to recognize today
Luke 24:1-9, “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.”
(get after it) All I can say is, “HALLELUJAH TO THE LAMB OF GOD!”
Show photo – I have seen for myself – HE IS NOT THERE!
Conclusion
God’s justice had been fulfilled; willingly carried out by His Son for you & I
He went in that tomb dead and mourned – and walked out of that tomb a Savior
It is why we can say “Happy Easter” … because truly, it’s a happy day!
So how do we find hope and move on to celebrate? By remembering:
• If you are consumed with grief, Jesus bore your grief
• If you are overwhelmed with sorrows, He carried your sorrow
• If you are trapped in a life of sin, He was wounded for your sin
• If you are tormented and have no peace, He suffered for your peace
• If you are without hope, He died and rose again to BRING you hope
Call Team
I want to offer up a time this morning of repentance & self-examination
This is a moment to ensure that before we celebrate communion, that we confess
1 Corinthians 11:27 says, “… whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.”
FACT: The only way to be “worthy” is to be His … to be a Christian
Our communion service is open to anyone who is a Christian; it’s our fellowship
But, if you have never received Him as your Savior, today is the day you can
If you want to know Him, it is as simple A, B, C …
When they begin to play, don’t wait – come talk to me, I’d love to introduce you
If there is sin in your life you can confess it now and receive God’s forgiveness
Forgiveness is only offered through the sacrifice of Jesus – no other way will do
This morning is for us to celebrate what Jesus has done … and be encouraged
Going to pray for us, then we’ll sing, and then we’ll take communion
