“Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30)

Last week we attended Good Friday worship with our daughter and her family in Colorado. It was an awesome service. During the sermon, the Pastor told us that he once attended a passion play where they had Jesus bow His head and then say in almost a whimper, “It is finished.” He said they got it wrong. The passage above said He bowed His head after He spoke the words. It was not a desperate cry of defeat, but rather the announcement of triumph, the accomplishment of our salvation. He said that Jesus would have said it in a strong and loud voice. To illustrate, he shouted loudly and clearly: “IT IS FINISHED!” The congregation was completely silent. Then my two-year-old granddaughter let out a very loud “Yay!”  The pastor didn’t miss a beat and said, “Yay indeed! That is why we call it GOOD Friday!”  The congregation laughed a bit, but I don’t think it took anything away from the wonderful message. In fact, I was reminded of the day Jesus entered Jerusalem, then cleansed the Temple, and the children were saying “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Jesus quoted Psalm 8 to those who objected:

““Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “ ‘From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise’?”” (Matthew 21:16)

Jesus accepted the praise of the children earlier in the week when they said “Lord, Save us!” That was why He came. And hanging on the cross, He knew He had done what He came to do. It was not easy. It was a tremendous achievement. So He was no doubt relieved, even happy to say, “It is finished.” The Greek word is tetelestai. It occurs only in John 19. In verse 28 it is rendered as “knowing that all was now completed…” and then, in verse 30, when Jesus spoke it, it is translated as “It is finished.”

Outside the New Testament, this word was used in business transactions. It would be written on documents and receipts to show that a bill was paid in full. Those reading John’s Gospel would have made the connection between what Jesus said and business receipts. He was saying He did everything necessary to complete the transaction. He atoned for the sins of the world. It was truly finished.

Yay Indeed!