Good Friday: The Completion of Christ's Mission

Devotional

Day 1: Faithful Completion in Christ

Jesus' declaration of "Tetelestai" on the cross signifies the completion of His mission. This word, meaning "It is finished," was not a cry of defeat but a proclamation of victory. Jesus' life was marked by unwavering faithfulness to the Father's will, serving as a model for us to follow in our own lives. From His birth to His crucifixion, Jesus remained resolute in fulfilling His divine purpose, demonstrating obedience and commitment. We are called to remain faithful to our divine purpose, even when faced with challenges, trusting that God will complete the work He has begun in us. [05:27]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to remain faithful despite challenges? How can you take a step today to trust in His completion of that work?

Day 2: The Finality of Jesus' Sacrifice

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate and final offering for sin. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the old covenant, His sacrifice was once and for all, allowing us to enter God's presence with confidence. This act of love and obedience invites us to live in the freedom of His grace, knowing that our sins are forgiven and our debt is paid. We are encouraged to embrace this freedom and to live in the light of His grace, free from the burden of works. [08:56]

Hebrews 10:12-14 (ESV): "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

Reflection: In what ways are you still trying to earn God's favor through your own efforts? How can you rest in the finality of Jesus' sacrifice today?

Day 3: Satisfaction of God's Wrath

Jesus' sacrifice satisfied the wrath of God completely, turning away the punishment we deserved. As our representative, He bore the fullness of God's wrath, allowing us to stand before God without condemnation. This profound truth calls us to live in the righteousness He provides, free from guilt and shame. We are invited to embrace this new identity and to walk confidently in the freedom and righteousness that Jesus has secured for us. [11:53]

Isaiah 53:5-6 (ESV): "But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Reflection: How does understanding that Jesus bore the fullness of God's wrath for you change the way you view your relationship with God? What steps can you take to live more fully in the righteousness He provides?

Day 4: Empowered by Grace

We are reminded of the importance of relying on God's grace rather than our own efforts. Jesus' sacrifice empowers us to live by the Spirit, free from the burden of works. We are called to embrace the grace that sustains us and to share this message of hope with others. This empowerment by grace invites us to live a life of freedom and joy, knowing that we are loved and accepted by God. [17:51]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own strength rather than God's grace? How can you begin to rely more on His grace today?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Faithful Promise

The cross was not an afterthought but the fulfillment of God's promise from the beginning. Throughout Scripture, we see the unfolding of God's plan, culminating in Jesus' declaration of "It is finished." This assurance of God's faithfulness encourages us to trust in His promises and to live in the hope of His completed work. We are invited to reflect on God's faithfulness in our own lives and to trust that He will fulfill His promises to us. [20:46]

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you are struggling to trust in right now? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and choose to trust Him today?

Sermon Summary

Reflecting on the profound significance of Good Friday, we journey through the events leading to Jesus' final moments on the cross. As we consider the sacredness of this day, we focus on Jesus' last word, "Tetelestai," meaning "It is finished." This single word encapsulates the completion of His mission, the perfect sacrifice, and the fulfillment of God's plan. In Jesus' time, "Tetelestai" was used by servants to indicate a task completed, by priests to declare a sacrifice accepted, and by merchants to signify a debt paid in full. Jesus' declaration on the cross was not one of defeat but of completion, marking the fulfillment of His earthly mission.

Jesus' life was characterized by unwavering faithfulness to His mission. From His birth in Bethlehem to His crucifixion in Jerusalem, He remained resolute in fulfilling the Father's will. His life was a testament to obedience, as He consistently prioritized His divine mission over earthly distractions. Jesus' faithfulness culminated at the cross, where He declared, "It is finished," signifying the completion of His work and His submission to the Father.

The significance of Jesus' sacrifice is profound. He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, once and for all, satisfying the wrath of God. Unlike the continual sacrifices of the old covenant, Jesus' sacrifice was final, allowing Him to sit at the right hand of God. This act of love and obedience opened the way for us to enter the holy places with confidence, knowing that our sins are forgiven and our debt is paid.

As we reflect on Good Friday, we are reminded of the call to follow Jesus' example of faithfulness and obedience. We are invited to examine our lives and consider where God is calling us to serve faithfully. Jesus' sacrifice empowers us to live in His righteousness, free from condemnation, and to share this message of hope with others.

Key Takeaways

1. Faithful Completion: Jesus' declaration of "Tetelestai" on the cross signifies the completion of His mission. His life was marked by unwavering faithfulness to the Father's will, serving as a model for us to follow in our own lives. We are called to remain faithful to our divine purpose, even when faced with challenges. [05:27]
2. Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate and final offering for sin. Unlike the repeated sacrifices of the old covenant, His sacrifice was once and for all, allowing us to enter God's presence with confidence. This act of love and obedience invites us to live in the freedom of His grace. [08:56]
3. Satisfaction of Wrath: Jesus' sacrifice satisfied the wrath of God completely, turning away the punishment we deserved. As our representative, He bore the fullness of God's wrath, allowing us to stand before God without condemnation. This profound truth calls us to live in the righteousness He provides. [11:53]
4. Empowered by Grace: We are reminded of the importance of relying on God's grace rather than our own efforts. Jesus' sacrifice empowers us to live by the Spirit, free from the burden of works. We are called to embrace the grace that sustains us and to share this message of hope with others. [17:51]
5. God's Faithful Promise: The cross was not an afterthought but the fulfillment of God's promise from the beginning. Throughout Scripture, we see the unfolding of God's plan, culminating in Jesus' declaration of "It is finished." This assurance of God's faithfulness encourages us to trust in His promises and to live in the hope of His completed work. [20:46]
** [20:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:00] - Reflecting on Good Friday
[03:30] - The Last Word: Tetelestai
[05:27] - Faithful Completion of Jesus' Mission
[08:56] - The Perfect Sacrifice
[11:53] - Satisfaction of God's Wrath
[14:30] - Living in Grace and Freedom
[17:51] - Sharing the Message of Hope
[20:46] - God's Faithful Promise Fulfilled
[23:00] - Invitation to Communion
[25:00] - Reflecting on Personal Significance

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Reflecting on Good Friday

Bible Reading

John 19:30 - "When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
John 6:38 - "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me."
Hebrews 10:12 - "But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God."

Observation Questions

What does the word "Tetelestai" mean, and how was it used in different contexts during Jesus' time? [05:27]
How does John 6:38 reflect Jesus' commitment to His mission? [05:27]
According to Hebrews 10:12, what is significant about Jesus sitting down at the right hand of God after His sacrifice? [08:56]
What does the phrase "It is finished" signify in the context of Jesus' mission and sacrifice? [11:53]

Interpretation Questions

How does Jesus' use of "Tetelestai" on the cross reflect His role as a servant, priest, and merchant? [05:27]
In what ways does Jesus' declaration in John 6:38 challenge believers to prioritize God's will over their own desires? [05:27]
How does the finality of Jesus' sacrifice, as described in Hebrews 10:12, impact the way believers approach their relationship with God? [08:56]
What does it mean for believers to live in the righteousness provided by Jesus' sacrifice, as mentioned in the sermon? [11:53]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt you completed a task faithfully. How can you apply that same dedication to your spiritual journey, following Jesus' example of faithfulness? [05:27]
Jesus remained focused on His mission despite distractions. Identify a distraction in your life that hinders your spiritual growth. What steps can you take to overcome it? [05:27]
How can you embrace the freedom of grace in your daily life, avoiding the burden of trying to earn God's favor through works? [17:51]
Consider a situation where you need to trust in God's promises. How does the assurance of God's faithfulness, as demonstrated through the cross, encourage you to trust Him more? [20:46]
Jesus' sacrifice was once and for all. How does this understanding affect your view of forgiveness and your approach to seeking reconciliation with others? [08:56]
In what ways can you share the message of hope and grace with someone in your life who may not yet understand the significance of Jesus' sacrifice? [17:51]
Reflect on the areas in your life where God is calling you to serve faithfully. What practical steps can you take to fulfill this calling, even when it is challenging? [05:27]

Sermon Clips

"finished right john chapter 19 verse 30 and in that one word in the greek it's it's one for us we say three it is finished when jesus said he said to tell us die and that was the last word that he said before the scriptures say he gave up his spirit a profound word and in that one word there is packed so much meaning so much significance that it sums up as the video that you just watched showed it sums up more than just the the actions and the activities and the events of one day in that one word jesus packs so much in because in in his day when people would use that word you might find a servant using the word to tell us die to say that the task is complete they've been given a job to do and when they brought it to completion to tell us die it is finished you would find priests using that word when the the perfect sacrifice that that spotless lamb had been brought brought to the altar to tell us die you would find a person who was brought to the altar to tell us die you would find a person who was brought to the altar to tell us die you would find a person who was brought to the altar to tell us die you would find a person who was brought to the altar to tell us die you would find a person who was brought to the altar to tell us die you would find a person who was brought to the altar to tell us die" [00:01:08] (68 seconds)

"A profound word, one word, but in it packed so much depth and so much meaning. And so this evening, I want to invite you to join me, not just to listen to a word, but to pause in the significance of what each of those things may mean. We're going to take some time to look through Jesus' life and ministry in a kind of rapid fashion to look at how he finished each of those things. That when he says, to Telestai, it is finished. Like the servant, he can say, I have served faithfully. He had brought his mission." [00:03:02] (36 seconds) Edit Clip

"to completion, because from the cradle back in Bethlehem to the cross in Jerusalem, every step of the way, Jesus was resolute on staying faithful to the mission that the Father had sent him to do. No, I'm not going there. We have a mission to do. We have to keep moving. We have to keep speaking. We have to keep sharing. We have to keep working. We need to accomplish this mission." [00:03:37] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

"Throughout his entire life, his entire ministry, he remained devoted to that one purpose, so that every word that Jesus spoke, every miracle he performed, every step he took, every conversation that he had, every confrontation that he had, for that matter, all of it was done in faithfulness to the will of the Father." [00:04:13] (20 seconds) Edit Clip

"So throughout his ministry and his life, when people tried to crown him as king too early, he passed it off and he withdrew. When people like Peter tried to talk him out of suffering, what did he do? He rebuked him. Get behind me, Satan. There's something, I have a purpose. Don't stand in front of what God has called me to do. When it would be easier for Jesus to slip away, he stayed. He endured. He, for the joy set before him, endured even the cross, learning obedience to the point of death, even death on the cross, as Philippians chapter two tells us." [00:04:54] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

"And here's the thing for you and I today. We come to Good Friday, and we reflect on a work that's been done, and yet we recognize, as the apostle Paul writes in something like Philippians chapter 2, and Peter writes it in 1 Peter as well, that Jesus has become our example in his obedience, that in his faithfulness, even to the very end, to the point of death, even death on the cross, Paul says, hey, we should have that same mind in ourselves, which is ours in Christ Jesus. So while we may not be going to a physical cross, surely we, you and I, here today, are called to follow the example of Christ in his obedience to the very end. So we are here, Good Friday, remembering, reflecting, celebrating even, the faithful service of Christ to the cross. I ask you today, what area in your life is God calling you to faithfulness?" [00:06:03] (52 seconds) Edit Clip

"That the sacrifice that he made wasn't just one of many. It was the sacrifice. It was the one to end all sacrifices. We read Hebrews chapter 10 earlier, but in verse 12, just to read it again, the author of Hebrews says, when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God." [00:07:53] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

"That's the big deal because under the old covenant, the great high priest, he would not sit down. They would go and there would be sacrifices. The work would continue on because there would be more sacrifices day after day, week after week, year after year. The priest would offer sacrifices for sins. And yet, sins still remained. And so they didn't sit in their service. But when Jesus offered his sacrifice, he sat. He was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was, he was" [00:09:02] (28 seconds) Edit Clip

"He is what we could not be. So truly God, truly man, Jesus is the one and only who could stand in our place to make the once and for all single sacrifice to end all sacrifices. You can't do that. I cannot make that sacrifice on your behalf. Your elders cannot make that sacrifice on your behalf. No bull, no goat, no lamb, but the lamb of God could make that sacrifice. And so Jesus, truly God, truly man, comes and lives the perfect life. The only one to truly fulfill the law." [00:10:42] (37 seconds) Edit Clip