“Finish strong!” a fellow student encouraged us as we played football on the seminary lawn. I don’t think he was talking about the football game. Starting is easier than finishing. People start books, exercise and diet programs, school programs, jobs, and hobbies often. We have no problem starting. Ah, but finishing is another story.
When I served in another church, the man who signed our checks had been the first mayor of the town. They even named the road after him. He was kind, generous, and funny. He loved all of the ministers, but had the most history with our music minister. When he entered the office to sign our checks he would say to the music minister, “You do so little around here, how do you know when you are finished.” It was not true. But it was funny. How do we know when we are finished?
How did Jesus know it was time to breathe his last? Jesus lived intentionally. He requested John’s baptism because it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. Our Lord moved through life purposefully. He had been sent to seek and save the lost. Jesus came to give his followers abundant life. Even when his enemies came to arrest him, he had to help them arrest him, because they kept falling down on the job (John 18:5-9). When all the scriptures had been fulfilled, he said, “it is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Someday, Jesus will speak these words over all of creation. John caught a glimpse in Revelation 21:6-7. Jesus who is making everything new, says from the throne, “It is done.” When our risen Lord says history is over, it will be over.
What do you want to finish in 2023? We are running out of time. We have only just a minute, but eternity is in it. How do we invest the next few days in the Kingdom of God? Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus finally came into the light as followers of Jesus. They finished so well. Will we? Let’s get busy. Whatever God has called us to do, let us do it purposefully, and diligently. Finish strong!
