Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. ~John 19:28-30
The next day dawned dark with disappointment, grief, and fear.
The dream had died.
Or had it?
“Tetelestai!” he’d cried.
“It. Is. Finished. The certificate of debt’s been paid.”
Fold your hands and sit in silence.
Ponder this.
Stilled in the waiting,
Sandy
Welcome to Still Saturday where we pause after a busy week, move in quiet pilgrimage, maybe linger a while in some still place, and soak in the beauty of images and words. We’d love for you to join us. Get the details on the left, grab your favorite button, and link up below. We all love to hear if something especially speaks to your heart, but please don’t feel pressured to comment. Simply take some time to gaze long and drink deep.
Thank you for posting each week. I hope I get to meet you face to face at Jumping Tandem!
Yes, yes. I will be there!
I meant thank you for hosting!
🙂
“Tetelestai!”
Interesting! I’ve never heard that term before!
It comes from the Greek word, teleo, and was written across a certificate of debt when it was paid in full. It’s in the perfect tense and means it’s done with forever… past, present, and continues into the future.
Waiting with you, Sandy. Even though I know the stone rolled away – I wait hoping to fully grasp it all!
I’m glad for the company. I wonder if we’ll ever really fully grasp the enormity of it.
Telestai – It is finished – Det er fuldbragt – Se on täytetty … The meaning of these words, in different languages, means everything for us and
yet it’s so hard to grasp the depth of His love, grace, sacrifice … With the insight we have, we thank Him for being forgiven and without sin begore God, following the way, He’s prepared for us.
Complete…in any language. Amazing.
That is the perfect picture for such a somber day.
{a blessed Easter, Sandy. Love you…}
Really. It’s a day that it seems the sun shouldn’t shine. Love you, too.
How much more still can a Saturday be? The hush of the grave, the death of hope, the emptiness of someone we loved and lost. I wait with bated breath for the opening of the grave, and imagine the light growing inside the tomb. yes.
I love that thought, JoAnne. Darkness and grief outside… yet the light growing inside. Sitting still with that image.
this day of waiting is one of my favorites…sad it does not get the attention as a day we gather in community.
We attended a tenebrae service every Good Friday night at a church I used to go to. I found it very meaningful, and I need to experience that grief. And that final strepitus? It always made me jump, even when I knew it was coming. Powerful.
Michelle said it: that image is perfect, Sandra. Waiting and pondering with you.
Thank you for providing this space to gather.
PS: Strepitus. I had to look it up.
“It is finished! Paid in Full! Waiting for the resurrection with you!
Praise God that it was finished, once and for all eternity. Death, sin and the grave have no more hold! May you have a blessed Easter, & thanks for the lovely post & for hosting.
Tetelestai! Wonderful post! Just confirmed the theme of our Recollection last Friday. Slaves ransomed by the Master by His own life! A Blessed Easter to you! Patsy from HeARTworks
What a beautiful post, every word is just perfect. Wishing you and yours a Blessed Easter!
Thank you again for this, Sandy. So poignant! And out of the darkness came light, the Light of the world.
I am blessed by your reminder to wait. I usually hurry from the cross to the resurrection. Blessings for your Easter.