Jump Start # 1910

John 19:30 “When Jesus therefore had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head, and gave up His spirit.”

Our verse today is sad. It is the last words of Jesus. This verse takes us to the cross. It is here that we find Jesus speaking these final words. This passage shows that His spirit didn’t escape Him, but rather, He gave it up. No one took Jesus’ life. He surrendered it. It was a sacrifice by His doing. He chose to die. Three simple final words, “It is finished!”

What was finished? A person doesn’t refer to himself as “it.” We might say, “I’m finished,” or, “I’m done.” Jesus said, “It is finished.” Jesus isn’t an “It.” The “It,” is what He came to do. He completed His work. He fulfilled all that He was supposed to do. He didn’t leave some things unfinished. He didn’t say, “I ran out of time, but I got the big things done.” He didn’t say, “I’ll have to come back another time and pick up where I left off.” No. Instead, “It is finished.” Job completed. Job finished. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to establish a spiritual kingdom. He came to leave an example. He came to save us through the offering of His blood upon the cross. That, He did. That, He finished. That, He completed.

It is finished, but Jesus didn’t go into retirement. This is a thought that many struggle with today. They feel that Jesus went to Heaven and basically does nothing today. They think He’s just sitting around with angels waiting until He is to come back and gather His people up. So, in the meantime, He’s not doing much. The “it is finished,” applies to why He came. That was completed. But Jesus isn’t retired. He isn’t finished.

• Jesus is still forgiving us of our sins
• Jesus mediates between man and God.
• Jesus continues to be our help
• Jesus sits at the right hand of God
• Jesus blesses
• Jesus opens doors
• Jesus is still saving today

The Lord is busy. He is doing things that we may not see nor, understand. When asked, our kids might say that they are doing “nothing.” But that idea doesn’t fit God. He is not idle. Doing nothing is not a part of God’s makeup.

And this leads us to us. We are not finished either. There are things in life that we may be finished with, but not our walk and work with the Lord. We may be finished with school. We may be retired and finished with going to work. But we are not “done” with God. Never.

• We continue to be a light into a dark world. Working or retired, we must always remember to influence people for the Lord. Our attitudes, our choice of words, our behavior all reflect a Christ driven life or not. Do we make a scene at restaurants? Are we demanding and always having to have our way? Do we forgive? Are we kind with our words? Do we smile and offer to help? We are never finished with being a light into the world. Never. Even retired, there are neighbors, family members and those around us who need to see Christ in us. They need to see the difference that Jesus has made. They need to see marriages that thrive. They need to see rough edges smoothed and polished by the Gospel of God. They need to hear kind words and see kind acts.

• We continue to be needed in the kingdom. There are spots for us to fill in the congregation. There are things, many things to be done. There are people to encourage and visit. There are classes to be taught. There are physical things that need our touches around the church house. Sometimes age limits what a person can do, but sitting on the sidelines isn’t in the program. Gather some people your age and have a Bible study. Get a couple of others and take them out to lunch. Be a bright light where you can. We may be finished with work, but we are not finished with God. Years of studying and learning makes retired people the most knowledgeable and experienced folks in the church. Use that wealth of talent to help others. Share what you know.

Now, here is a thought I want us to consider. I’ve heard it expressed over and over. A person finally retires from work. They no longer have to get up at the crack of dawn, drive in traffic and work 8-10 hours every day. They are “finished” with that. But what I hear so often is that, “This is now my time. I’ve put in 40 years of work. Now, I get to do what I want.” And for some that means playtime. It’s playtime everyday. But speaking Biblically, “Is it ever our time?” Doesn’t it always belong to the Lord? Can we say, “Don’t count on me, because I’m off doing what I want.” Can’t the church count on you? Can’t God count on you? Sure, travel. Sure, take up a hobby. Sure, do things that work wouldn’t allow you to do, but you are not finished with the kingdom. You are not finished doing good. You are not finished with hospitality. You are not finished with encouraging. You are not finished trying to make things better.

Often, we confuse the American spirit with the Biblical pattern. Off to work we go, because the company owns my soul, may be the American work ethic, but it’s not the Biblical picture. Because once we are done with work, the American spirit proclaims, “It’s now my time and my life.” Wrong. You belong to God. Remember that statement of Jesus, “to whom much is given, much is required”? The retired person has more time, money and knowledge than the young family man who is pulled in several directions. Explore the possibilities that you never had time to look at before.

• Consider writing a class book on some spiritual topic
• Consider serving as a shepherd or deacon
• Consider helping a young preacher
• Consider spending some time with a struggling congregation and offer your help
• Consider writing a hymn
• Consider leading a class during the day for retired folks

So many possibilities. So many wonderful things that can be done. Be thankful that you are retired, but do not “be finished.” Don’t allow this season of your life to make you selfish. Don’t turn your back on the good that you can do.

It is finished only fits us when God is finished with us here.

Let’s get busy. There is much to be done.

Roger