MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

"Having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do." John 17:4

If Satan cannot buy you with what is illegitimate, he will attempt to bury you with what is legitimate.  Either way, his objective is to drive a wedge between you and God.  When Christ came to the end of His earthly ministry, though only 33 years old He could say: "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do."  Jesus could have gotten much more involved with the 12 disciples, or taken advice from some program committee and chosen 24 disciples to double His outreach.  He could have traveled to Rome, the seat of power at the time.  Or to Athens, where He could touch great minds in order to extend His influence and reputation.  But He chose only 12 disciples.  He mentored them slowly and intimately, and never traveled far from the place of His birth.

Some might say that if you are going to revolutionize the world you need to carry your cause to as many parts of it as possible.  But Jesus deliberately limited His itinerary.  He kept is simple.  At the end, just before breathing His last He said, "It is finished."  Jesus was ready to die - because there was nothing left for Him to do.  His work had been completed, from the training of the disciples to providing redemption for us.  And you will detect no hint of resignation or regret in any of His last words.  Mission accomplished!  How long are you going to keep promising yourself that you will draw closer to God, that you will put His Kingdom first? If you ever plan to do it, do it now!