As some of you know, last May I got a tattoo. A real one. I got it on my right forearm, making sure it was very visible to the public eye. Many people questioned why I did this. Some of them, including my mother and father, said, “You’ll never be able to get a job with that showing,” or “You're going to have to explain that to everyone…” but I just continuously told them, “That’s the point!” Every time I get asked to explain my tattoo, it brings a smile to my face because I get to share the story of Jesus! So here it goes…
Tetelestai: Literally translated, it means “It is finished,” but to Christians it means so much more. It appears in John 19:30 when Jesus is on the cross about to be crucified. It says “When he had received the drink, Jesus said 'Tetelestai.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” Tetelestai is the last word Jesus ever spoke as a human. It is the most powerful word He ever spoke. It’s the word that told us, “Stop.” Stop the constant worrying, the guilt, and the shame. Stop letting previous and future sins control your life. My blood has covered it so that you are now made new. It is a word that reminds us why Jesus had to come in the first place and what He did for us. Let's review that. Jesus came to die for our sins, so that we could be reconnected to our God. Without Jesus’s death on the cross, we would all go to hell. Without the word Tetelestai, none of us would ever have a relationship with God. Pretty big stuff that guy Jesus did for us isn't it?
I got this tattoo as a symbol, to myself and to everyone who sees it. It symbolizes the absolute eternal love God has for me, to send His only son to die in my place. I deserved that death and so did you. But God said no. He said I will send my son in your place, to pay for your sins, just so that I can get the chance of knowing you. Isn't that incredible? Tetelestai is the word that shows us that this process has ended and that you now have eternity with God, if you choose it. So choose it. Choose real love, real patience, real kindness. Choose to believe in someone who believes in you. Choose to love a God who comes through with his promises. I promise you it is worth it. Jesus is worth it.
