I learned a new word recently which has lots of meaning. It is the Greek word ‘tetelestai’.

That is the word Jesus used when dying on the cross. Translated into English, it means ‘it is finished’, as he gave up his life for you and me to pay the penalty for all our sinning and wrongdoing.

Tetelestai is used in Greek in a number of different areas...in business, military and judicial settings.

I gather that in business it signifies the completion of a contract, and was also used when signing off receipts. In judicial terms, it can mean acknowledging that a debt is fully paid or a sentence served. And in military terms, it can mean that the battle has been won and victory accomplished.

I hope you can see that these variations do come together when Jesus said 'tetelestai' or ‘it is finished’. He had completed His mission and accomplished all that he set out to do. He had paid the debt for our sinning and wrongdoing and the battle for us had been won.

This is at the heart of the gospel or good news of Jesus. He came to redeem us. And as a part of that He brought healing to so many and laid down so clearly the way we should live.

Perhaps you might take the time to read the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the New Testament to get a handle on what He was like and how He dealt with so many issues of life that we have also.

‘Come to me,’ He says, all these years later, and receive the words of eternal life. ‘I am the water of life, and whoever comes to me shall never thirst again. I will never leave you nor forsake you.’

We hear so many empty promises these days and, even worse, promises made to dupe us and which turn out to be worthless. His promises to you and to me never fail, and we can trust Him fully.

And if we could live in His known presence for even a moment, we would know the truth of these words. He is utterly trustworthy. Don’t go through a lifetime and never know Him or feel that oh so special presence of Jesus which changes everything.