Not About a Bunny: Explaining Easter to Your KidsSample

It Is Finished

Have you ever owed money for something? Maybe you have a mortgage on a house or a car payment. When you make that last payment, it’s an exciting day! Your debt has been paid in full.

Prior to Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had prayed his last public prayer. His statement is a poignant one: “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do”(John 17:4, NIV).

What was the work Jesus had come to earth to do? He came to seek and to save the lost. On the cross, Jesus finished that work.

Jesus was beaten aggressively and tortured. Then he was forced to carry his cross to Gethsemane, the place he would be crucified. He hung on the cross for hours.

As Jesus hung on the cross, one of the last statements he made was, “It is finished.” The Greek word is tetelestai and is an accounting term that means “paid in full.”

Jesus owed nothing. He didn’t deserve to die. But because of our sins, we owe everything. You see, when Jesus spoke those words, “It is finished,” he was making a specific point. The sin debt that we owe to God was completely wiped away forever.

Jesus was declaring our debt to be paid in full. Jesus died because he was the only one who could pay the penalty for our sins.

Do you believe that Jesus paid your debt in full? Do you believe that he died for your sins? If so, thank him today for giving you freedom from your sins!

Scripture: John 19:23-30