"It is FINISHED!" —Jesus (John 19:30)
(τετέλεσται, tetelestai)
Business Context: Tetelestai stamped on a receipt meant "paid in full" — debt completely settled.
Judicial Context: Tetelestai marked on a prisoner's record meant "sentence fully served" — penalty fulfilled.
Military Context: Tetelestai declared by a commander meant "mission accomplished" — victory won.
On the cross, Jesus was declaring, "Your debt of sin is fully paid, the judgment for your sin has been fully served, and the spiritual war against sin, death, and the Devil has been completely won!" You are totally and completely 100% forgiven, your sins—past, present, and future—have been completely removed, the record of debt having been nailed to the cross, and they are no longer remembered. Your slate has been wiped clean and is now like Teflon—nothing sticks to it! No accumulation; no record.
When you understand the New Covenant, the Gospel, and grace correctly, it changes everything!