IT IS FINISHED

There is no birth of a newborn without the end of a pregnancy. There is no new school grade without the finishing of the previous one. There is no marriage without the finishing of singleness. There is no new without the old being finished.

As we walk through Easter season, we have the opportunity to celebrate the finish of the old and the start of the new. On Good Friday, we acknowledge these three eternity-shifting words uttered by Jesus on the cross:

“It is finished.”

But what exactly did he finish?

The Greek word translated “it is finished” is tetelestai, an accounting term that means “paid in full.” On the cross, Jesus paid in full every ounce of debt we owed. A price we could have never paid for ourselves. This has infinite implications for us as we lead. Here are just a few of the finished works that makes this Friday so good:

-Aiming to achieve for acceptance is finished.

-Striving to impress for approval is finished.

-Acting like you have it all together is finished.

-Leading alone is finished.

-Fearing failure is finished.

-Gripping for control is finished.

-Denying help is finished.

-Making a name for yourself is finished.

-Casting blame is finished.

-Dwelling on your past is finished.

-Worrying about the future is finished.

-Refusing to take risks is finished.

-Doubting the power within you is finished.

These finished works are only as powerful as the new that it births. Jesus not only paid for our debt, but he also purchased our new covenant promises, securing the everlasting new with his resurrection. This is the new. This is Easter.

-In Jesus, you are eternally accepted.

-You are approved.

-You are never alone.

-You are free to fail.

-You are free to cry for help.

-You have a new name to make much of.

-You can share in other’s burdens.

-Your past does not define you.

-Your future is known and good.

-You are free to take risks.

-You have resurrection power within you.

-You are eternally loved.

There is no new without the old being finished. Take this weekend to praise Jesus for the finished work that makes Friday good and Sunday new. Cast off the old. Lead with the new. It is finished.