John 19:30

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Where it comes from

These are the last words Jesus speaks from the cross in John's Gospel. The Greek is a single word, tetelestai, a term merchants wrote on a bill when a debt had been paid in full. John chose it on purpose.

What it means

It is finished is not a sigh of defeat. It is a receipt. The work of making people right with God was complete, and nothing needed to be added to it, not by religion, not by effort, not by being good enough. That is why it belongs on a card you use to pay for things. The biggest bill you will ever owe has already been stamped paid.