MAY 09, 2024
Topic: IT IS FINISHED – I”
Text: Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 2:19-21
Memory Verse: “Jesus said, “The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work He started”. (John 4:3-4 MSG)
Ian Usher in his article, “Seven Simple Steps to Achieving your Goals” advised as follows: write down the goal, set a deadline, work on your mindset, continue to take the first step to completion and reward yourself. This is the secret of personal and organizational success; and our Lord Jesus knew this very well as He cried out, with the last words before “yielding” His spirit: “It is finished”!
Jesus knew His goals, and never allowed frivolities, or human encomiums to distract Him – He was focused, rejecting the forceful move to make Him King (John 6:14-15). The sickness to death of a dear friend, whose family He loved did not shift your Saviour’s focus from the work of Ministry; he did not abort it to attend to the sick. He concentrated on the work of the Father “two more days” (John 11:1-6). Note also that the territory of the sick man was dangerous (John 10:31); yet your Lord defied attacks and threats of death to accomplish the task of giving glory to God (John 11:4 & 8)
Your Saviour set deadlines: If you doubt this, hear Him in Luke 13:31-33, in response to threats by the authorities to assassinate Him. In setting deadlines, He showed His zeal and industry toward work. He was never lazy, nor slothful. “My Father is always working, and so am I”, He said in John 5:17. We can learn from Him therefore, by changing and working on our mindset to achieve completion.
It is not enough to work, the Saviour “quickly” carried out the task assigned to Him (John 9:4a – NLT), because He knew “the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4b – NKJV). Dear believer, there is a night: of weakness, inability, old age, sickness, death or even loss of opportunity!
Paul looked back on his commission (Acts 9:15-16) and at the close of his ministry concluded “he had fought a good fight! (2 Tim. 4:7). Similarly, Jesus looked back on the messages, teachings, miracles etc., and concluded, “It is finished”! There is no salvation in any other, the disciples boldly declared in Acts 4:12. There is no other Saviour to run to – all was completed upon the cross: reconciling us filthy sinners to a Holy God (2 Cor. 5:18-21).
PRAYER: I am not successful because I started. I ask for grace to carry me through this earthly pilgrimage so I can finish well.