Daily Devotions
John
John 17 : 1 - 26 "FINISHING LIFE'S WORK"
Day 254 – John 17
FINISHING LIFE’S WORK
It really must be wonderful to be able to say at the end of life, that one has completed his life’s work. Many are not going to be able to say that. Many more are going to feel that they have allowed life to pass them by! Let us consider what Jesus said as He drew to the end of His life on earth.
“I have glorified You on the earth.
I have finished the work which You
have given Me to do.”
John 17:4
Let us take time to meditate on what Jesus said and meant. Let us take time to review His life on the basis of what He said.
“I Have Glorified You on the Earth”
Jesus was indeed most conscious of the glory of His Father in His life and ministry. This matter of wanting to glorify the Father was in fact the first thing He spoke in prayer.
“Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.”
John 17:1
Once again, Jesus spoke about glorifying His Father while He ministered on earth. Jesus offered such prayers more than once. As He spoke about fulfilling His purpose on earth, He offered this spontaneous prayer.
“Father, glorify Your Name.”
John 12:28
Jesus was able to stay focused on glorifying His Father from start to finish, because He kept praying over this matter!
“I Have Finished the Work Which You have Given Me to Do”
The matter of glorifying God was not just a dream or a wish! Jesus tied that in to the work that He did. Words without deeds do not truly glorify God. Only when words and works are consistently equated can there be a true glorifying of the Father!
Jesus was most conscious of the fact that His works should bring glory and honour to His Father. Let us consider these timeless words that Jesus spoke.
“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me,
and to finish His work.”
John 4:34“My Father has been working until now,
and I have been working.”
John 5:17“…the works which the Father has given Me to finish –
the very works that I do – bear witness of Me,
that the Father has sent Me.”
John 5:36“I must work the works of Him who sent Me…”
John 9:4
At last Jesus had completed all the works that His Father had given Him to do. He had given many hard tasks for Jesus to attempt and to fulfill, and He had completed every task assigned to Him successfully.
MESSAGE… WORK… GLORIFYING OF GOD
What wonderful lessons we are learning about prayer from Jesus! How challenged our hearts must be to pray along similar lines. Let us ponder over these thoughts as we seek God in prayer each day.
1. The Message of God
Do we not have a message to share with the world too? Have we been faithfully proclaiming that message of salvation in Christ Jesus? (“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.”
John 17:3)
2. The Work of God
Are we not always challenged to walk in the footsteps of Jesus? How conscious are we of doing the works of God? (“I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”
John 17:4).
3. Glorifying of God
Should we not also seek to glorify God’s Name as Jesus did. Surely, this should be the most natural desire of every child of God? (“I have glorified You on the earth.”
John 17:4).
THE EXAMPLE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL
The Disciples of the Lord Jesus, particularly Paul, followed the footsteps of Jesus very carefully. Consequently, he was able to say these words towards the end of his life and ministry. May we also be able to say similar words at the end of our life on earth.
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness…”
2 Timothy 4:6-8a