Sacred Silence: Daily Devotions for Quiet Reflection

FRIDAY, 29 MARCH 2024

TEXT: Matthew 27:45-55

45: From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.

46: About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

47: When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”

48: Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink.

49: The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”

50: And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51: At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split

52: and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

53: They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54: When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

55: Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.

(New International Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: TETELESTAI

Tetelestai is the Greek word for "It is finished." It was the word Jesus used regarding business which meant "Occupy till I come" which, by extension, connoted, "The debt is fully paid".

Tetelestai is also used in judgement and the court system to mean that the sentence is fully served. It was likewise used as a military term which meant that the battle is fully won.

So, when Jesus declared, "It is finished" He was saying that the debt of sin is fully paid; that the time for being in bondage has been fully served; that the battle against the devil has been won; and that, all of the enemy's sickness and diseases and viruses have been conquered.

Jesus fights the battle, you and I get the victory. Jesus died so that you and I can live for Him. Essentially, therefore, the greatest tragedy of all time gave birth to the greatest victory mankind will ever experience.

QUESTION: Are you living a victorious Christian life?

PRAYER: Thank You, Father, for Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Cross of Calvary. Thank You for fully paying my debt on the Cross, in Jesus name. Amen.