Paid in Full: Christ’s Definitive Victory on the Cross

What could the final words of Jesus from the cross mean for you today? Listen in as Javier unpacks the depth and significance behind "Tetelestai" — "It is finished" — and its transformative impact on our understanding of forgiveness and self-worth. Explore how this profound declaration marks not only the completion of Christ's mission but also signifies the ultimate payment for sin, assuring us of God's unwavering love and forgiveness. By diving into the historical and spiritual context of these words, we uncover a powerful message of liberation from guilt and shame, reminding us that salvation is a gift of grace rather than an achievement.

Journey with us as we reflect on the implications of Tetelestai in our daily lives. Discover how this powerful proclamation redefines our value, rooting our worth in Christ's finished work and freeing us from the burden of earning divine favor. Drawing from biblical references like Paul's letter to the Galatians and the parable of the unforgiving servant, Javier highlights the importance of standing firm in the freedom we’ve received and extending forgiveness to others. With insights into the role of God's justice and mercy, this episode invites you to embrace a life transformed by grace, where peace and confidence reign, and past mistakes no longer define us.

Chapters

• 0:00 The Redemption of Tetelestai
• 6:21 The Power of Tetelestai
• 12:09 Living in the Light of Tetelestai

Transcript

Speaker 0: 0:34

Welcome to the Crossroads Collective Podcast. I'm your host, javier, and today we're diving into one of the most incredible, life-changing moments in all of history. Today, we're going to talk about a single word spoken by Jesus Christ on the cross it is finished. This phrase, originally uttered as Tedelestai, means the debt has been paid in full. It's a declaration that, when understood, changes everything for us as Christians. It reminds us that Christ's work on the cross was sufficient, that nothing else needs to be added to His sacrifice and that we are completely forgiven. It's a proclamation that echoes through time, reminding us of the victory that was won on the cross. But before we dig deeper into the meaning of this profound word, let's begin with a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, we come before you today with hearts full of gratitude. Thank you for sending your Son, jesus Christ, to pay the debt we could never repay. Thank you that, through his death and resurrection, the price for our sins has been paid in full. As we reflect on this truth today, we ask that you open our hearts to understand the depth of your love for us. May we be transformed by the knowledge that we are fully forgiven and that nothing can separate us from your love. Guide our conversation today and let your Spirit lead us into all truth. In Jesus' name, we pray, amen.

Speaker 0: 1:38

Let's start by looking at the moment when Jesus uttered the words it is accomplished. It's found in the Gospel of John when Jesus is hanging on the cross After enduring hours of excruciating pain and suffering, after bearing the weight of the sins of the world. Jesus speaks these final words before he gives up his spirit. In John, chapter 19, verse 30, we read when Jesus had received the sour wine, he said it is finished, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. These words are powerful not only because they mark the end of Jesus' physical suffering, but because they mark the completion of his mission. The phrase it is finished carries a meaning that goes beyond just the end of his life. In the Greek, this term was often used in commerce.

Speaker 0: 2:14

When a debt was fully paid, the word tetelestai would be written on a receipt to signify that nothing else was owed, the debt was completely satisfied. And that's what Jesus was declaring on the cross. He was telling the world that the debt of sin had been fully paid. There was nothing left to be done. His sacrifice was complete and it was enough to cover the sins of all humanity.

Speaker 0: 2:32

For us as Christians, this is the foundation of our faith. The idea that Jesus paid it all is central to our understanding of salvation. We know that we are saved not by our own efforts, not by our good works, but by the finished work of Christ on the cross. This is what the Apostle Paul was talking about when he wrote in Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 8 and 9, for by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing. It is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. This is what makes paid in full so significant. It reminds us that there is nothing we can do to add to the work of Christ. His sacrifice was enough. We don't have to strive to earn God's favor or work to make up for our sins. We simply have to trust in what Jesus has already done for us.

Speaker 0: 3:11

But what exactly was the debt that Jesus paid? To understand this, we need to go back to the very beginning of the Bible, to the story of creation. In the book of Genesis we read about how God created the world and everything in it. He created humanity, adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. They had a perfect relationship with God and everything was good. But then something happened that changed everything. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. They ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the one tree that God had commanded them not to eat from. In that moment, sin entered the world and the relationship between God and humanity was broken. The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death, and from that moment on, humanity was under the curse of sin and death. But even in that moment of disobedience, god had a plan. He promised that one day he would send a Savior to crush the head of the serpent, to defeat sin and death and to restore the relationship between God and humanity. Throughout the Old Testament we see glimpses of this promise.

Speaker 0: 4:02

God established a system of sacrifices to deal with sin, but these sacrifices were only temporary. They had to be repeated year after year, because they could never fully take away sin. They were a shadow of what was to come. The book of Hebrews tells us that the blood of bulls and goats could never fully take away sin. But when Jesus came, he offered himself as the perfect sacrifice, once for all. His death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice that fully satisfied the wrath of God. This is why it is completed is so important. It's not just a phrase that marks the end of Jesus' suffering. It's a declaration that the work of salvation is complete, the debt has been paid in full and there is nothing more that needs to be done. This brings us to an important point.

Speaker 0: 4:39

Many Christians struggle with guilt and shame, feeling like they have to do something to make up for their sins. They feel like they have to earn God's forgiveness or prove that they are worthy of His love. But Tetelestai tells us that this is not the case. Jesus paid the price for our sins in full. There is nothing we can do to add to His sacrifice. All we have to do is accept it. This is the good news of the gospel. It's not about what we do. It's about what Christ has already done. He has paid the debt in full. We are forgiven not because of our own efforts, but because of His finished work on the cross.

Speaker 0: 5:08

Now let's take a moment to reflect on what this means for our daily lives. Knowing that the debt has been paid in full should change the way we live. We no longer have to live in fear or guilt. We don't have to strive to earn God's favor or try to make up for our mistakes. Instead, we can live in the freedom that comes from knowing that we are fully forgiven.

Speaker 0: 5:25

This doesn't mean that we can live however we want, ignoring God's commands. In fact, knowing that Christ has paid our debt should motivate us to live lives that honor Him. Out of gratitude for what he has done, we should seek to obey His word and follow His example. But our obedience is not about earning God's favor. It's a response to the grace that we have already received. We love because he first loved us. We forgive because we have been forgiven. We serve because he served us. This is the beauty of the gospel. It's not about what we do. It's about what Christ has done and because of His finished work on the cross, we can live in the freedom of knowing that we are fully forgiven and fully loved.

Speaker 0: 5:59

Understanding the weight of the phrase it is fulfilled doesn't just impact how we view Christ's work on the cross. It impacts how we live out our faith every single day. When we realize that our debt has been paid in full, we begin to walk in a freedom that is truly life-changing. But what does that look like practically? How does knowing that tetelestai changes how we live our daily lives? Let's take a moment to reflect on the freedom that comes from knowing we are forgiven.

Speaker 0: 6:21

For many of us, the feeling of guilt or shame can sometimes be overwhelming. We look at our past mistakes, our sins and our shortcomings and we wonder if God can really forgive us. Maybe we've said or done things that have hurt others, or maybe we've lived in a way that didn't honor God, and it's easy to get trapped in a cycle of guilt, always trying to make up for what we've done. But the truth of paid in full is that we don't have to make up for anything. Jesus already did it for us. The payment for our sins has already been made in full, and because of that we can live in the freedom of God's grace, knowing that we are fully forgiven. That doesn't mean we ignore our sin or pretend it doesn't matter, but it does mean that we don't have to carry the burden of guilt any longer.

Speaker 0: 6:57

Paul speaks about this freedom in his letter to the Galatians. In Galatians, chapter 5, verse 1, paul writes For freedom. Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Paul is telling the Galatians and us that, because of what Christ has done, we are no longer bound by the chains of sin and guilt, that, because of what Christ has done, we are no longer bound by the chains of sin and guilt. We have been set free. But notice that he also gives us a warning. He tells us to stand firm and not to submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Speaker 0: 7:22

What does this mean? It means that, even though we've been set free by Christ, we can sometimes fall back into old patterns of thinking. We can start to believe that we have to earn God's favor or that we need to work off our sins, but Paul reminds us to stand firm in the freedom that Christ has won for us. This is what tetelestai means for us. It means that we don't have to live in fear of condemnation. We don't have to carry the weight of our past mistakes. Instead, we can walk in the confidence of knowing that we are forgiven and loved by God.

Speaker 0: 7:48

Now let's talk about what this means for how we treat others. One of the most powerful ways we can live out the reality of it is finished is by extending forgiveness to others. Jesus paid our debt in full and because of that we are called to forgive others, just as we have been forgiven. In Matthew, chapter 18, jesus tells a parable about forgiveness. In this parable, a king forgives one of his servants a massive debt that the servant could never repay. But after being forgiven, that same servant goes out and refuses to forgive someone who owes him a much smaller amount. When the king hears about this, he is outraged and has the servant punished for his lack of mercy. This parable teaches us an important lesson about forgiveness. Just as the king forgave the servant's enormous debt, god has forgiven us an immeasurable debt through the sacrifice of Jesus. And just as that servant was expected to show mercy to others, we are called to forgive those who have wronged us.

Speaker 0: 8:34

Forgiveness isn't always easy. Sometimes the hurt that others have caused us feels too deep, too painful to let go of. But when we remember the forgiveness that we've received through Christ, we are empowered to forgive others. It's not about minimizing the hurt or pretending like everything is okay. Instead, it's about recognizing that, just as Christ forgave us, we are called to forgive others, and it's in that act of forgiveness that we truly experience the freedom that Tetelestai offers. When we hold on to bitterness or anger, we're not walking in the freedom that Christ has given us. But when we choose to forgive, we let go of the chains that bind us and step into the grace and freedom that comes from knowing that our debt has been paid in full. Living in the light of it is finished means that we live every day knowing that our worth is not based on what we do, but on what Christ has done for us. This can be a difficult concept to grasp, especially in a world that constantly tells us that our value is tied to our achievements, our success or our ability to be good enough, but Tetelestai reminds us that our value is found in Christ and in His finished work on the cross.

Speaker 0: 9:28

For many of us, this is a radical shift in perspective. We've grown up in a culture that values hard work, achievement and performance. We're taught from a young age that if we want something, we have to earn it, and while there is certainly value in hard work and perseverance, the gospel flips this idea on its head when it comes to our relationship with God. Jesus' declaration of it is finished reminds us that our salvation, our forgiveness and our acceptance by God are not things that we can earn. They are gifts of grace and because of that we can live in the confidence of knowing that we are loved and accepted, not because of anything we've done, but because of what Christ has done for us. This truth should impact every area of our lives. It should affect the way we approach our work, our relationships and even our failures. When we understand that our worth is not tied to our performance, we can approach life with a sense of freedom and peace. We can do our best, knowing that our value doesn't come from our success or our failures, but from Christ's finished work on the cross.

Speaker 0: 10:19

Let's think about how this plays out in our everyday lives. Maybe you're someone who struggles with feeling like you're not good enough. Maybe you feel like, no matter how hard you try, you can never measure up. If that's you, I want you to hear this clearly Because of Tetelestai you are enough. Not because of what you've done, but because of what Christ has done for you. Maybe you're someone who feels burdened by your past mistakes. You look back at your life and see a trail of failures and you wonder if God could ever really forgive you. If that's you, I want you to know that it is finished means that your past does not define you. The debt of your sin has been paid in full and you are forgiven. Or maybe you're someone who feels constantly weighed down by the expectations of others. You feel like you have to be perfect to live up to some impossible standard, and it's exhausting. If that's you, I want you to know that tetelestai means that you don't have to live under the pressure of perfection. Christ's work is finished and you are accepted just as you are. This is the freedom that it is finished offers. It's the freedom to live without the weight of guilt, shame or fear. It's the freedom to know that we are fully loved, fully forgiven and fully accepted by God, not because of what we do, but because of what Christ has done.

Speaker 0: 11:20

As we continue our discussion on the power and significance of Tetelestai, let's take a moment to consider how this statement affects our understanding of God's justice and mercy. We've already established that when Jesus declared it is finished, he was announcing the completion of the work he had come to do. The debt of sin which all humanity owed was paid in full by his sacrifice. But how does this reconcile God's justice with his mercy? It's important to remember that God is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful. These two attributes of God may seem like they are at odds with each other, but they are perfectly displayed in the cross. God's justice demands that sin be paid for, and His holiness cannot tolerate sin, but God's mercy desires to forgive and restore those who are lost in sin. At the cross, we see these two realities meet in the person of Jesus Christ. God's justice is satisfied because the penalty for sin is paid, and God's mercy is extended to us because Jesus paid that penalty on our behalf.

Speaker 0: 12:09

This is why Terlestai is such a profound declaration. It shows us that God did not compromise His justice in order to show mercy. Instead, he upheld His justice by allowing His Son to bear the punishment for our sin, and in doing so he made a way for us to receive His mercy. This is why Paul writes in Romans, chapter 3, verse 26, that God is both just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Let's pause here for a moment to consider the gravity of this truth. God didn't lower His standard of holiness to forgive us. He didn't simply overlook our sin. Instead, he dealt with it fully and completely.

Speaker 0: 12:40

At the cross, jesus took the punishment that we deserved, and because of that we can stand before God not as guilty sinners, but as forgiving children. This brings us to an important point the idea of substitution. Jesus didn't just pay the debt for sin in some abstract or theoretical sense. He paid the debt for your sin and my sin. He stood in our place, taking on himself the punishment that we deserved. This is what theologians refer to as substitutionary atonement. Jesus was our substitute. He took our place, bearing the weight of our guilt and shame, so that we could be set free.

Speaker 0: 13:09

This idea of substitution is found throughout scripture. One of the clearest examples is in the prophecy of Isaiah. In Isaiah, chapter 53, verse 5, the prophet writes 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. This is a powerful image of what happened at the cross. Jesus was pierced and crushed, not for his own sins, because he had none, but for ours. He took the punishment that we deserved, and in doing so he brought us peace. The peace that we now enjoy with God was purchased by the blood of Christ, and it's because of this that we can live in the freedom of knowing that our debt has been paid in full.

Speaker 0: 13:44

Now that we've explored the concept of substitution and the payment of our debt, let's talk about what it means to live in the freedom of God's grace. For many Christians, this can be a difficult concept to fully embrace. We know in our heads that we are forgiven, but sometimes it's hard to live that out in our daily lives. We may still carry the weight of guilt or feel like we have to do better in order to earn God's favor. But Tadalestai reminds us that we don't have to live under the burden of trying to earn what has already been freely given.

Speaker 0: 14:09

One of the most common struggles among believers is the temptation to fall back into a workspace mentality. Even though we know that we are saved by grace, it's easy to slip into the mindset that our standing with God is somehow based on our performance. We think that if we pray more, read our Bibles more or serve in the church more, then God will love us more or bless us more. But this isn't how grace works. Grace, by definition, is unearned and undeserved. Paul makes this clear in his letter to the Galatians. In Galatians, chapter 2, verse 21, he writes I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose. In other words, if we could earn our way to God through our own efforts, then Christ's sacrifice on the cross would have been unnecessary. But the fact that Jesus declared it is finished shows us that his work was not only necessary, but it was also completely sufficient. We don't need to add anything to it. In fact, we can't add anything to it. The moment we try to earn what has already been given, we nullify grace, as Paul says.

Speaker 0: 15:02

So how do we live in the freedom of grace? It starts with understanding that our identity is not based on what we do, but on what Christ has done for us. When we truly grasp this, it changes everything. We no longer serve God out of a sense of obligation or fear, but out of a heart of gratitude. We pray not because we're trying to earn God's favor, but because we already have His favor and we want to grow closer to Him. We read our Bibles not because we're trying to check off a box, but because we want to know God more deeply. And we serve others not because we're trying to earn points with God. This is the beauty of grace it frees us from the burden of performance and allows us to rest in the finished work of Christ. We don't have to strive for God's approval because we already have it. When Jesus declared it is finished, he was telling us that the work is done, our salvation is secure and we are fully accepted by God because of what Christ has done, not because of what we do.

Speaker 0: 15:53

Another aspect of living in the light of Tetelestai is learning to walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in helping us to live out the reality of what Christ has accomplished for us. When we become believers, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, guiding, empowering and transforming us to become more like Christ. Paul speaks about this in Romans, chapter 8, verse 1, where he writes there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is a profound statement. Because of what Christ has done, we are no longer under the weight of condemnation. The Holy Spirit continually reminds us of this truth and helps us to live in the freedom that comes from knowing we are forgiven.

Speaker 0: 16:27

But walking in the Spirit also means living in obedience to God's Word. While it is finished frees us from the burden of trying to earn God's love. It doesn't free us from the call to live holy and righteous lives. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do just that. In fact, one of the greatest marks of someone who understands the meaning of tetelestai is a life that is lived in obedience to God, not out of obligation, but out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done. Paul talks about this in Galatians, chapter 5, verse 16, where he writes but I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Walking in the Spirit is about allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide every area of our lives. It's about submitting to His will and trusting Him to give us the strength to live in a way that honors God. When we walk in the Spirit, we are no longer bound by the desires of our flesh. Instead, we are empowered to live in the freedom and victory that Christ has won for us.

Speaker 0: 17:15

One of the most amazing aspects of it is finished is the promise of eternal life. When Jesus declared that the debt of sin had been paid in full, he also secured for us the hope of spending eternity with Him. This is the ultimate gift of grace. Not only are we forgiven, but we are also given the promise of eternal life with God. In John, chapter 14, verse 2, jesus tells His disciples In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you. This is a beautiful reminder that our final destination is not this world, but eternity with God. Because of Tetelestai, we can live with the hope and assurance that one day we will be with Him forever. This hope should shape the way we live our lives. It gives us perspective in times of difficulty and reminds us that the trials and struggles of this life are temporary. Our future is secure in Christ and nothing can take that away from us.

Speaker 0: 18:01

When we think about the phrase it is finished we need to not only understand its theological implications, but also how it speaks directly to our identity as believers. It's easy in life to allow our identity to be shaped by our circumstances, achievements or failures. Many of us fall into the trap of defining ourselves by our jobs, our relationships or even our past mistakes. But when Jesus said, this is one of the most freeing truths we can ever experience. As human beings, we often measure our worth by what we do, how successful we are, how others perceive us or whether we feel we're living up to certain expectations, but the message of it is finished tells us that our worth is found in Christ alone. We don't have to prove ourselves to anyone, because Jesus has already declared that we are valuable through his sacrifice. Our identity is secure in him. That brings us to the end of today's episode of the Crossroads Collective Podcast.

Speaker 0: 18:52

I hope that, as we've unpacked the depth and meaning of the word terestai, you've been reminded of the incredible freedom, love and grace that Jesus secured for you through his finished work on the cross. Remember, terelestai isn't just a word from the past. It's a present and powerful reality that can transform every part of our lives. It frees us from the burden of guilt and shame, it empowers us to live in victory over sin and it reminds us that we are fully forgiven and fully loved by God. As you go through the week, keep reflecting on what it means to live in the light of. It is finished. How can this truth shape your relationship with God, with others and even with yourself? Let it be a source of encouragement, strength and hope in every situation.

Speaker 0: 19:28

Let's end with a prayer Heavenly Father, we thank you for the incredible truth of Tetelestai. Thank you for the freedom that comes from knowing our debt has been paid in full by the sacrifice of your son, jesus Christ. Help us to live in the light of this truth every day, to trust in your grace and to walk in the victory that Christ has already secured for us. As we go through our week, guide us by your spirit and let your love shine through us. In Jesus' name, we pray Amen. Thank you for joining me today. If you've been encouraged by today's episode, be sure to share it with a friend, and don't forget to subscribe so you won't miss future episodes where we continue to dive into topics that strengthen our faith and deepen our walk with Christ. Until next time, this is Javier, reminding you to walk in the freedom that Christ has already won for you. May you all have a blessed day, thank you.