10/30/2026
Praise God yesterday, today, and forever more...
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15
“How ‘finished’ is it when God says it is?”
In John 19:30, Jesus says on the cross: “It is finished.” The word for finished here is tetelestai, from the root verb teleo, meaning to bring to an end, to complete, to accomplish, to fulfill, or to carry out. If you’re not a grammar nerd, that means it describes an action completed in the past whose results will continue; “It has been finished and will remain finished.” Here, Jesus expresses a complete accomplishment.
What was finished? The work the Father sent him to accomplish, the sacrificial payment for sin, the Old Testament promises for atonement, and the renewal of all things. In such a statement, nothing more needed to be done or added to this work.
If we want to get weird, because it happened to Jesus, who is fully God and human, the cross and resurrection happened both in a historical moment and eternity. Jesus is the Lamb slain “from the foundation of the world.” (Revelation 13:8)
Paul further articulates this finished work in Colossians 2. There exist evil spiritual powers, the realm of the Devil, out to kill and devour. On the cross, Jesus disarmed them, triumphed over them, and even made a spectacle of them, as he mocked them.
For you and me, for those who repent unto Jesus and follow him, we have entered this finished work. The victory was won, both in history and the eternal realms, for our redemption. For our salvation.
Our trust, therefore, entails renewing our minds to this reality. We face trials, temptations, betrayals, and crises. The world around us appears dark. Our hope remains as an anchor for our souls. His work of salvation and victory over every power of darkness is complete. We simply must believe, follow, and stand in his great love for us, waiting for the redemption already accomplished in Christ.
Pray with me...
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that when Jesus declared, “It is finished,” your work of redemption was fully accomplished. Strengthen our faith to stand in Christ’s complete victory over sin, death, and every power of darkness. Renew our minds when trials and fears surround us. Anchor our hope in your absolutely complete work, not our own ability or striving. Help us to walk in obedience, trusting your Word, living with confidence, our future is finished in your glory...in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen...stay blessed 😇 😇😇