What "work" did Jesus complete, and how can we emulate it today? Setting the Scene John 19:30 records, “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished.’ And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit”. Earlier, Jesus summarized His mission: “I have glorified You on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do” (John 17:4). What Jesus Finished • Fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy and type concerning Messiah (Luke 24:44). • Perfectly obeyed the Father’s will, never sinning (Hebrews 4:15). • Satisfied divine justice through His substitutionary death, paying the full penalty for sin (Isaiah 53:5–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21). • Secured eternal redemption and inaugurated the New Covenant (Hebrews 9:12, 15). • Disarmed Satan and broke the power of death (Colossians 2:15; Hebrews 2:14). • Revealed the Father, showing what God is like in flesh and blood (John 1:18; 14:9). • Laid the groundwork for His church and its ongoing mission (Matthew 16:18; 28:18-20). How We Can Emulate His Completed Work Today 1. Trust His finished work, not our own efforts – “By grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8-9). 2. Walk in wholehearted obedience – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). 3. Embrace sacrificial service – “Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:44-45). 4. Proclaim His gospel with clarity and courage – “We are ambassadors for Christ… be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). 5. Pursue holiness by the Spirit’s power – “This is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3; Galatians 5:16). 6. Persevere to the end – “Run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). 7. Build up the body of Christ – Use spiritual gifts “for the equipping of the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-13). 8. Reflect the Father’s glory in everyday life – “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Encouragement for the Journey Because Jesus finished the decisive work, ours is a labor of gratitude, empowered by His Spirit. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). |
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