From Religion to Relationship
What Did Jesus Really Accomplish on the Cross?
Have you ever wondered about the life and death of Jesus? Maybe you've heard bits and pieces about him growing up or in popular culture, but have you ever really dug into the purpose and meaning behind it all? In this article, we're going to explore Jesus' final words before he died on the cross and unpack the incredible implications they have for each of us. So whether you're a longtime Christian, a spiritual seeker, or just curious about this influential figure, stay with me as we discover together the heart of Jesus' mission.
The Cross: More than Meets the Eye
When Jesus hung on that cross 2,000 years ago, it probably seemed like a tragedy to all who watched. An innocent man brutally executed. A life cut short. Hope snuffed out. But there was something much deeper going on beneath the surface. With some of his final breaths, Jesus declared a powerful phrase: "It is finished" (John 19:30).
In the original Greek language, in which John’s gospel is written, this phrase is actually just one word: "tetelestai." And it was a word that was rich with meaning for the original hearers. In the ancient Roman world the word had three primary usages:
1. A servant declaring to their master, "I have finished the assignment you gave me."
2. A financial term meaning a debt had been paid in full.
3. An artist stepping back from their completed masterpiece and declaring, "It is finished!"
So what was Jesus declaring on that cross? Perhaps Jesus was proclaiming all three of these realities. Let's break each one down.
The last words of Jesus as he hung on the cross were not His last words. But they were very important for us to understand the meaning of His life, ministry, death and resurrection.
"I Have Finished the Assignment"
First, Jesus was declaring the completion of the mission God had given him. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh to dwell among us (John 1). But he didn't come just to be a good teacher or perform some miracles. He had a specific assignment. The prophet Isaiah foretold this mission hundreds of years beforehand:
"Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations." (Isaiah 42:1)
Jesus himself said, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38) That's a pretty bold claim - to be sent by God himself on a world-changing mission. And on that cross, Jesus was declaring, "Mission accomplished." The divine assignment was complete.
"The Debt Has Been Paid"
But what exactly was this mission Jesus completed? The Bible tells us that humanity has a sin problem. We've each turned away from God and his good designs for our lives. We've accumulated a massive debt of disobedience. And this sin separates us from our holy Creator. The Bible says "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). In other words, our moral debt deserves divine punishment.
But in his great love, God had a solution. He sent his own perfect Son to pay the price we could never pay. The Apostle Paul put it this way:
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses...God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14)
In other words, that "record of debt" that stood against us was nailed to Jesus' cross. He paid it all. Just like when that Greek word "tetelestai" was written on a bill of sale meaning "paid in full," Jesus was stamping "tetelestai" on the record of our sin debt. It was a stunning, costly act of love.
"Behold, the Masterpiece!"
But there's one more meaning Jesus was declaring. Blair points out that when an artist would complete a great work, they would say "tetelestai" - like dramatically pulling back the curtain and saying "Behold, the masterpiece!"
And this is perhaps the most scandalous claim of all. The Bible tells us that God's great masterpiece, his grand plan from the beginning of time, was to fix the sin problem not through human effort but through the sacrificial death of his own Son. Jesus' death in our place was the climax of the divine drama, the great unveiling of God's beautiful, reconciling heart.
From Religion to Relationship
Perhaps the most stunning implication of Jesus' declaration is this: the old way of approaching God is now obsolete. The Bible tells us that before Jesus, people had to perform religious rituals and adhere to a long list of do's and don'ts to maintain God's favor. They needed priests to mediate between them and their Creator. They were always striving, never arriving.
But Jesus rendered all that moot. His death and resurrection made a way for anyone to approach God directly. It was a shift from rule-keeping to relationship. From fear to friendship. From law to love. As Jesus himself said, "I no longer call you servants...instead, I have called you friends" (John 15:15).
This is why Jesus emphasized belief, not behavior, as the pathway to peace with God. When asked "What must we do to be doing the works of God?" Jesus simply replied "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." (John 6:28-29) In other words, stop striving and start trusting. Cease performing and start surrendering. The old religious treadmill has been replaced by childlike faith in what Jesus has done.
An Invitation For You
So where does this leave you and me? Well, if Jesus really is who he claimed to be, and if he really did what the Bible says he did, then each of us has a decision to make. Will we continue to bear the burden of our own sin and shame, or will we allow Jesus to lift it from our shoulders and give us rest? Will we keep striving to appease God with our good deeds, or will we humble ourselves and receive mercy as a pure gift? Will we hold God at arm's length, or embrace him as the loving Father he desires to be?
If you've never begun a relationship with God through Jesus, there's no magic prayer or ritual required. It's a simple heart disposition, a sincere turning from self-sufficiency to surrender. If you sense your need for his grace today, you might pray something like this:
"God, I admit that I need you. I've been living life my own way, but I want to turn and follow you. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose again to give me new life. I humbly receive your forgiveness and friendship. I surrender to let Jesus lead and guide my life, changing me from the inside out. Amen."
If you made that decision today, welcome to the family! I encourage you to tell a Christian friend and get connected to a local church where you can grow in your new faith. The journey isn't always easy, but it's so worth it. Because "tetelestai" - Jesus really did finish the job. May you find great joy in walking with him.