Jesus, the Finisher
- davidwperk
- Nov 8, 2024
- 6 min read
Devotional Reflection, Friday, November 8, 2024
Proper 26, the week of the twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost,
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:
“Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.”
The complete text of today’s Gospel can be found at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 991)
AM Psalm 69:1-23(24-30)31-38; PM Psalm 73
Ecclus. 50:1,11-24; Rev. 17:1-18; Luke 13:31-35
Today we celebrate the Feast of Francis Asbury and George Whitfield. (See below.)
David’s Reflections
One phrase in today’s reading caught my eye. Jesus divides his life course into three phases, “I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.” That last phrase “finish my work” literally reads, “I am fulfilled” or “I am brought to fulfillment” (the verb has the sense of to consummate or to fulfill or to make complete).
Jesus’ journey would end with his rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection. At some point in his public ministry this became clear to him. We are left to imagine the process by which his reflection made this clear and his initial response, which may well have been one of horror and dismay. We also can only imagine the inner journey required to understand that his suffering and death actually would be his way of fulfilling God’s intentions for his ministry. The Gospels relate very little of Jesus’ inner life.
Eduard Schweizer says, “ . . . this is Jesus’ great freedom, that all he does and his appointed end belong to God.” * John 4 quotes Jesus as having said, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.” On the cross in John’s account, Jesus said just before he died, “It is finished.” The verb used in those two statements is the same one translated “finish my work” in today’s reading.
What would express your personal freedom most profoundly? What would bring you ultimate fulfillment? Jesus had come to know that enfleshing God’s kingly rule was his ultimate purpose and the expression of his freedom, that in relating to God and in serving God’s mission he was the most fully himself. He had come to know that his deepest joy would be to undergo the veil of torment and triumph over it, because in so doing he was living into God’s reasons for sending him. The writer of Hebrews put it this way, “For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross and despised it’s shame” (Heb. 12:2).
Again, we can only imagine the profound joy Jesus now feels, knowing that salvation has been wrought and the church exists because he fulfilled his ministry. He proved to be a finisher. We can only imagine the deep joy he knows as his children round the world receive his presence in bread and wine and experience forgiveness, nurture, and transformation each Lord’s Day.
Why would we not want to share Jesus’ joy? We can if we live like finishers, fulfilling our course. If we live into the reasons God put us here, if we let go what distracts and hinders, if we consistently return from moments of wandering, if we keep embracing what our hearts keep whispering are God’s intentions for our lives, if we keep counting on God’s Spirit to keep us focused—if. Maybe the better word, the word closer to our intentions is not if but when.
Let’s join Jesus as finishers. The Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard put it very well.
The thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wishes me to do… What good would it do me if the truth stood before me, cold and naked, not caring whether I recognized her or not, and producing in me a shudder of fear rather than a trusting devotion? Must not the truth be taken up into my life? That is what I now recognize as the most important thing. +
*Eduard Schweizer, The Good News According to Luke, trans. David E. Green (Atlanta: John Knox, 1984), p. 230.
+Søren Kierkegaard, cited by Charles E. Moore in "Introduction," Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Søren Kierkegaard., Ed. Charles E. Moore (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2010), pp. x-xi.
Collect of the Day: All Saints Day
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. (BCP, 245)
Proper 26,The Sunday closest to November 2
Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (BCP, 235)
Today we celebrate the Feast of Francis Asbury (died 31 Mar 1816 CE and George Whitfield (died 30 Sep 1770 CE), evangelists.
Collect of the Feast of Francis Asbury and George Whitfield
Holy God, you inspired Francis Asbury and George Whitfield with evangelical zeal through their faithful proclamation of the Gospel: Inspire us, we pray, by your Holy Spirit, that we, like them, may be eager to share your Good News and lead many to Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Fridays
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies' sake. Amen. (BCP, 123)
For Peace
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 258)
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen. (BCP, 461)
A Collect for Mission
O God of all the nations of the earth: Remember the multitudes who have been created in your image but have not known the redeeming work of our Savior Jesus Christ; and grant that, by the prayers and labors of your holy Church, they may be brought to know and worship you as you have been revealed in your Son; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 257)
Daily Office Gospel, Luke 13:31-35
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’ 32He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. 33Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.” 34Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! 35See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”’
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
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