John 17:4 ESV
“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
One of the labourers in God’s vineyard amongst the Colossians was a man named Archippus. Though not much is said about him in the Scriptures, the LORD gave Archippus an important Kingdom assignment that Paul noticed and conveyed this counsel to him: “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it” (Col 4:17 NKJV). Hallelujah! The emphasis to heed whatever has been received in the Lord calls for our reflection. In fact, to begin with, the very fact that God can entrust us with a Kingdom assignment—that touches the eternal destinies of men and women—is enough reason to be on our toes!
Oh, who would ever partner with the Almighty, result-oriented God and dare take Kingdom matters lightly! Indeed, Paul’s counsel to Archippus can never be overemphasized in our time and generation. Secondly, the call to Archippus to take heed was not just for the sake of it, but that he might “fulfill” (complete) the work God had entrusted him and complete it well. Yes, it is important to remind ourselves that the prize for our labours in the LORD is at the finish line. Paul would put it this way elsewhere: “Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Cor 9:24 NIV). To start on your God-given assignment is good; to steadfastly persist therein is better; to finish your course is the best!
Our Lord Jesus led His life on earth, fully aware of the need to complete His Father’s work. While in Samaria, Jesus once reminded His disciples—who wanted Jesus to eat something when He was busy ministering to someone—and said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work” (Joh 4:34 AMP). Clearly, not everything had the same degree of priority to the Master as His passion to do what the Father had sent Him for and to complete it. When it was all said and done well, Jesus would say to the Father (in our text), “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” Let us learn of Christ.
Pst. Emmanuel
