Finished
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30 ESV)
I don’t know if there’s anything more impressive in the world of individual sports than those that complete the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii. 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles on a bicycle, and then a marathon, 26.2 miles of running. It’s not solely the top finishers that are impressive, but those that finish just before the 17 hour deadline.
The Apostle Paul’s most cited and inspiring words are not written from a road of fame and glory, but from within the wall of a prison and persecution. We use his words to talk about a life we want to fulfill and finish, yet his words testify of things already fulfilled and finished in Jesus Christ. We pine after what we perceive as being better, blessed, or bountiful, and forget that struggle, suffering and repentance are part of the life of those love and are loved by the Lord. Do we live in hopes of a eulogy of the things that we did, or live in the hope of the Gospel that all things have been done?
In his second letter to his son, in the faith, Paul charges Timothy to endure, to remain faithful, to finish his calling as Paul has done. (2 Timothy 4:1-8). But Paul’s finish was not all that impressive. There was no gold, silver or bronze, or crowd applauding him. Paul died a martyr’s death at the end of Emperor Nero’s reign.
The reporters for the Ironman always feature a few athletes that you would not expect to be there. They are there “against all odds.” Despite their struggles and infirmities, they swim, ride, and run until they are done. Paul closes out his words to Timothy saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2Timothy 4:7-8). So fight, run, and keep the faith, for eternal life is secured because of Jesus Christ. On the cross of Calvary, it is finished, and the empty tomb is your crowning.