There is something special about this word "finished." It is from the Greek root word teleo. The tense Jesus used is rarely used -- it is the perfect tense. It has two complete and definite meanings: 1. Completed at that moment. 2. Completed for all time.
1. Jesus completed the work God gave him to do. The contract was fulfilled.
"When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do." John 17:1-4
The work of reconciliation was complete.
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[a] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Reveal God to man (part of this contract)
“For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
This was a revolutionary statement!
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
He also gave us the New Testament.
2. Work completed -- atonement -- like a courtroom/Final judgment
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins." Romans 3:23-25
"For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22
Court Room -- final ruling. No more animal sacrifices; no more intermediaries; no need to get it togetherr before coming to God; Relationship with Christ is all that is needed.
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
3. Curse of Death revoked -- Victory! Military Victory.
"but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat[a] of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:17
"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again." John 10:17
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
Death and Satan no longer have power.
"and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades." Revelation 1:18
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil," Hebrews 2:14
It is finished! Not rules but celebration. All we have to do is accept!