Tetelestai: It Is Finished

Summertime is among the favorite seasons of the year.

For many it is stress-free, relaxing, and fun.

The warmer weather makes it a time for the beach, traveling, and other recreational activities. The flip side to summer often includes catching up on the projects we have shoved to the back burner for days, weeks, months, and sometimes years.

Regardless, the best projects are those that get done.

One summer my husband, Michael, and I decided to make a workbench for our carport. We were excited to work on building something together.

Michael is very methodical and strategically planned the design. He utilized wood that had been discarded on the roadside. Michael purchased the necessary screws, paint, and extra wood to get it done. Then the hard work began.

He sanded the rough edges and imperfections to reveal almost brand-new material. It was not as easy as I had imagined. I needed a lot of muscles, which I lacked. But my husband, who is a skilled workman, assured me I would get a handle on things.

He taught me how to use a handsaw, an electric saw, an electric drill, and sandpaper to smooth away the bumps and how to correctly hammer a nail.

A week later, when the task was over, we felt a rush of exhilaration. We did it! We had accomplished our task, and despite the minor glitches, we had finished what we had started. In like manner Jesus accomplished the task He came to do.

He gave up His kingship, kingdom, and crown. He lived, was crucified, and was resurrected just for you and me. Though He encountered multiple obstacles, threats, scorn, and rejection, He did not quit. He worked hard as He taught, healed, and fed the people; He even restored life while on His mission. He kept the faith, stayed on course, and followed in His Father’s footsteps. As He hung on the cross, His last words were, “Tetelestai! ” meaning, “It is finished!” (John 19:30, KJV). He did it. He completed His task. He finished His assignment so we can have life—abundant life (John 10:10). So now, as we race toward the finish line, my friends, let us run, strong in the faith, armed with truth and light. And by God’s grace, may we be found faithful as we finish the race.

Corletta Aretha Barbar