"Finished"

 

“Finished”

 

In 1822 Franz Schubert composed his “Symphony #8”, better known as his “Unfinished Symphony” since it’s comprised of only two movements instead of the usual four or five. (His reason for not continuing this great work remains a mystery.) In 1892 construction began on the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City, one of the world’s largest church buildings (it can accommodate 8600 people and has a floor area of 121,000 square feet) but to this day it’s never be completed due to style changes, work interruptions and unstable ground and has been nicknamed “Saint John the Unfinished”. During a tour of Italy Karen and I saw the Basilica of San Petronio in Bologna of which construction was started in 1390 but remains yet unfinished. (I shudder to think of how many projects I’ve undertaken that are uncompleted!)

Shortly after beginning His earthly ministry Jesus told His disciples, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:34). Just before His betrayal and arrest He said to His Father, “I have finished the work You have given Me to do.” (John 17:4, NKJV). And from the cross He cried out, “It is finished.” (in Greek “It has been completed.”) (John 19:30, emphasis added throughout). Jesus came to earth to “…give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) and He fulfilled this mission by His sacrificial death which met God’s requirements (“…You were redeemed…with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.”--1 Peter 1:18-19). And His Father showed acceptance of His Son’s sacrifice “…by his resurrection from the dead….” (Romans 1:4). And as we celebrate this great truth on which our faith rests this month we can cry out as Jesus did, “It has been completed!”

But that’s not the end of His work. While Christ’s death took care of the sin problem “…once for all.” (Hebrews 10:12) He never stops working in His people until He calls them to be with Himself (“…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus—Philippians 1:6, emphasis added). So we’re always works in progress as we “…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18). So in my unfinished life may I pray with the psalmist, “Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.” (Psalm 119:33).

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan