THIS IS NOT MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
JOHN 17:4
JOHN 17:4 NKJ
4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.
OBSERVATION:
Jesus has just shared some amazing words with His disciples.
He has talked of His relationship with them and how they can live after His resurrection and after He leaves the earth.
He has spoken of their union with Him. That He is the vine, and they are to be fruit-bearing branches representing Him.
He told them about the wonderful advantage they would have because Jesus would empower them with the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit would help them in a major way.
In this chapter, Jesus is praying. All of chapter 17 records this prayer. He says something in verse four that gives us insight as to His purpose on the earth. He said that He had glorified God in the earth and finished the work God had given Him to do.
This is a simple yet profound declaration of purpose. To glorify God on the earth and to finish what God had assigned Him to do. Of course, how He did this contained many different facets. And the work He finished was immense, but the simplicity of His purpose is profound. Glorify God on the earth. Finish the work God gave Him to do.
APPLICATION:
Jesus' simple purpose is something every one of His followers can pursue.
All of us can find purpose in glorifying God on the earth. Most people are only interested in bringing glory to themselves. But that's not a big motivating purpose. Looking to glorify God on the earth will involve of many different areas that touch every aspect of our lives; it's a great purpose and a great goal.
To finish the work He has given us to do. This work will vary from person to person. Our role is to find out what He has assigned to us, do it with all our heart, and finish.
This is not mission impossible, it is challenging. And it provides a lofty, big hearted and valuable purpose.
PRAYER:
Dear Father, show me more and more how I can glorify You on the earth. And reveal to me my assignment that I can do it and finish well.