How To Finish Well

In John 13:1 we read, "Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." He "loved them to the end," in other words: he finished well!

What's the secret to finishing well? I think this aspiration lies buried in the heart of every image bearer of God. After all, who ever articulated a desire to limp through life and eventually quit never getting an opportunity to wear the victor's crown?

In John 13 we see in the person of Jesus the keys to finishing well. First, Jesus was able to finish well because he knew for certain where he was going-"to the Father." There was no ambiguity as to what awaited Jesus beyond the grave so he didn't have to hedge his bets. He could live fully, investing in the lives of others this side of heaven, because of his certain destination. 

Second, Jesus was able to finish well because he knew for certain what awaited him-"the possession of all things!" John 13:3 states, "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands..." In other words, Jesus knew that the creed "he who dies with the most toys wins" was a lie! Jesus knew that the Father had given him "all things" already so he didn't have to grope feverishly for stuff in this life. 

So, how do we finish well? That's great for Jesus, but what about us?

Well, good news here. God's Word tells us that we are co-heirs with Christ! (Romans 8:17) And because we are co-heirs with Christ that means we have the same destination upon completion of our earthbound journey. And, not only do we have the same destination, but the same inheritance awaiting us. Be utterly amazed!

I'm humbled by the gap that exists in my own faithful running of this race and that of Christ's. Do we truly believe with all our heart, soul, strength and mind what we now possess because of our union with Christ by faith? The more we believe, the greater capacity we have to finish well!

Gustave Dore's engraving of The Raising of Lazarus

"Sometimes Love Waits"

A profound truth is tucked away in this mornings CBR from John 11: 5-6, "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard Lazarus was ill, HE STAYED TWO DAYS LONGER in the place where he was." Sometimes I'm of the opinion that if God really loved me he would respond to my "real needs" immediately. Martha, Mary and Lazarus had real needs: a healing that would avert death! We have "real needs" too. maybe they're not of the life threatening kind but they are real and needful for our spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical well-being. And yet, sometimes God delays.

Why?

1) The way God meets and addresses our "real needs" in his timing and in his way brings him more glory. And, on my better days, regardless of how painful the wait is, I'm pleased that God receives more glory in it.

2) My faith is strengthened by God's delayed approach. While the healing of a sick man builds faith the raising of a dead one builds even more! So, God is about resurrecting things in my life and in so doing growing my faith. Jesus wants us to know without a doubt that it was his gracious hand that met us in our point of need.

3) God's timing advances his mission and kingdom as the unbelieving world observes. It states in John 11:45 after the miracle, "Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did believed in him."

I'm not sure what you're facing today, but I know the "real needs" that I have today. I'm comforted by this passage because I'm reminded that although I haven't seen all those needs met yet I know that Jesus loves me and at the appropriate time will show up in my life in God-glorifying, faith-building and kingdom-extending ways! And I, will be filled with joy inexpressible.

Lord, enable me to believe this today. Forgive me when I doubt your love for me and your greater purposes for my life.

The Furnace Room

The Furnace Room

A group of excited guests came to visit the great Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England. The fellowship featured the preaching ministry of Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon was known as the greatest preacher of his age and one of the great orators in the history of the church. Upon arriving at the fellowship, the excited guests asked a man who they supposed to be a member for a tour of the sprawling campus. The man welcomed their request. It wasn’t long into the tour when the guide asked the group if they would like to see the furnace room of the church. The group was confused and was not really concerned with the physical plant for heating the church, especially since it was the middle of the summer! However, they didn’t want to appear rude or ungrateful so they submitted to the request. The man walked them through the maze of the complex until they he finally presented them with the furnace room of the fellowship. He opened the door to a huge open room filled with hundreds of people praying and seeking the Lord for the service that about to take place. The guide revealed himself as Charles Spurgeon and told the guests: “Prayer is the engine that fuels our church.”