John 17:4-5 I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.… I. A WORK GIVEN TO CHRIST, AND UNDERTAKEN BY HIM-salvation — work. It was a prescribed work, a definite work, a complete work. We have a summary of it in Daniel 9:24. 1. He was "to finish the transgression." He did that by fulfilling the law, which demanded two things — obedience, and, failing obedience, satisfaction. Christ met the law in both ways. 2. He was "to make an end of sin." To seal it up (Revelation 20:3). 3. He was "to make reconciliation for iniquity;" by giving up Himself, "the just for the unjust." 4. He was "to bring in an everlasting righteousness" Himself, the righteousness of God (Romans 3:21; 2 Corinthians 5:21). 5. He was to "seal up the vision and prophecy;" that is, "to consummate, ratify, and fulfil them;" to secure all their precious promises, and to preserve them for His people — because a seal protects and preserves. II. THIS WORK CHRIST FINISHED. Redemption is finished, the types and the shadows finished, forgiveness sealed and finished, the separation which sin had made between the sinner and God, and between the members in the body of Christ, finished, the distance annihilated, those who were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. III. THIS WAS NO LIGHT WORK. All the angels in heaven could not have accomplished it (Isaiah 59:16). 1. It was no insufficient work; the Lord Jesus left nothing for any to do. 2. It was no disappointing work; it did not disappoint the Father, nor the Son, nor the Holy Ghost, and it will not disappoint you (Romans 10:11). 3. It was no uncertain work; some people seem to think as if its completion depended upon whether they consented or not. 4. It is no unsatisfying work; try it! 5. It was no unnecessary work; without it no sinner could be saved; you cannot get to heaven by any other way, you cannot approach God in any other name; do not talk about your works, prayers, intentions, charity: — "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life," &c. (M. Rainsford.) Parallel Verses KJV: I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.WEB: I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. |
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