John 4:34: “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.'”
John 17:4: “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
God gave Jesus work. Not to merely try – but to accomplish. To finish.
Jesus was a finisher.
Our Example
I love the comments that Matthew Henry makes on these passages – specifically, how this should serve as an example to us.
Matthew Henry on John 4:34
He was not only ready upon all occasions to go to his work, but he was earnest and in care to go through it, and to finish his work in all the parts of it. He resolved never to quit it, nor lay it down, till he could say, It is finished. Many have zeal to carry them out at first, but not zeal to carry them on to the last; but our Lord Jesus was intent upon finishing his work.
Matthew Henry on John 17:4
It is recorded for example to all, that we may follow his example. 1. We must make it our business to do the work God has appointed us to do, according to our capacity and the sphere of our activity; we must each of us do all the good we can in this world. 2. We must aim at the glory of God in all. We must glorify him on the earth, which he has given unto the children of men, demanding only this quit-rent; on the earth, where we are in a state of probation and preparation for eternity. 3. We must persevere herein to the end of our days; we must not sit down till we have finished our work, and accomplished as a hireling our day.
Finishing isn’t easy, and finishing doesn’t happen instantly.
Finishing requires consistent work, striving in the calling that the Father has given, and considering that work so important and delightful as to be your food.
We can talk (and it’s great to talk) about how Jesus managed his time. How he worked consistently. How he prioritized well. How he rested.
But the point of all of this was to bring glory to God by finishing the work and finishing it well.
Don’t stop. Be a finisher like Christ.
Photo Credit: jayneandd (Creative Commons)
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