Lent 40!

It is finished.

The sixth word is one that we know oh so well. Surely when Jesus uttered those words, he was thinking, "Finally. The end of this suffering." But the Greek word he utters--tetelestai--really is something greater than that. It's more than "it's over," more like "it is over and completed." Jesus had fulfilled his purpose. He had introduced to us the kingdom of God. He had showed us abiding love and grace. He finished the work of salvation. And the reason it's important for us to remember this last word in terms of completion is so that we can know that Christ completed it and we don't need to, nor can we, add to it.


Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.

This final word from Christ on the cross is another quotation from a Psalm. Here are the first 5 verses:

Psalm 31
1 In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.

2 Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.

3 Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

4 Free me from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.

5 Into your hands I commit my spirit;
redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

Psalm 31 begins with petition for deliverance. To quote this means that Jesus asks to be delivered after he has already suffered. The implication is that Jesus is already pointing to the resurrection, right there from the cross. He would not be delivered from suffering and death, but there would be something beyond this, something wonderful.

Jesus went ahead and pointed to Easter. Easter is nearly here. Lent is nearly complete. While we know tetelestai, it is finished, we also know our spirits are committed into the hands of God who moves in us and with us, showering us with grace as we live as Easter people. We need not do anything for our salvation, but God doesn't leave us to sit on our heels. May we, as Easter people, live our lives to the glory and honor of God who creates, redeems, and sustains us.