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ADVENT REFLECTION

“The work is finished” is the theme for our reflection. “The work is finished” is about the building of the tabernacle and its elements and vestment for the Priests. In other words, the Spiritual monument symbolising the presence of God among the Israelites is finished. “Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished, and the people of Israel did according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses; so they did…According to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the people of Israel had done all the work” (Exodus 39:32,42).

The work is finished because the people were focused and determined to obey the Lord diligently. Above all, they offered themselves selflessly to the service of God in the unity of purpose and will. They were not driven by personal gain and unhealthy competition as found among some believers of our time but they were driven by the passion for God’s work, the fear of the Lord and their gratitude for His providence. The workers did not give excuses upon excuse with their private businesses, family responsibilities and other mundane engagements as observed in the 21st century Church. Many Christians of our time have the habit of giving numerous excuses for not serving or working for God or finishing tasks assigned to them in the house of God. We observed from today’s Scripture reading that the workers worked diligently until the work was done without any excuses. Dear friend, God owes us nothing therefore when we are called upon to serve him with our skill, talent, wealth or any other resources, we must do it for His glory for we rather owe Him everything including our very lives. This is the level of understanding every believer must have in his or her service to God, our creator. Job, with this understanding, confessed that “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21) Beloved in the Lord, when Jesus returns again to judge the world, will He find us ready and worthy because we have finished the work He has entrusted into our hands? Shall we be found ready like the servant who was told in Matthew 25:23 that “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

It is important to remember that God rewards hard work and selflessness. He rewards both physical and spiritual hard work and selfless givers. Although the Israelites worked as craftspeople and gave out items physically in support of the tabernacle, they were also engaged in the spiritual assignment of preparing the dwelling place of God among them. For this reason, they received their blessings, “…Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, so had they done it. Then Moses blessed them. (Exodus 39:43). Dear friend, everything you do for the Lord no matter how insignificant you may think it is, is acknowledged by the Lord, Paul assures us that ” … whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

We recall Jesus’ death on the cross after He had tabernacled among humanity as God incarnate and had completed His work of Salvation for humanity and to reconcile us to God, He said “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30). “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) Let us always ensure that God’s work is finished to the glory of His Holy Name and we shall remain blessed now and always even as we await the Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, may Your will be done in our lives even as we avail ourselves to be used as instruments of transformation in our Churches and in the World. Amen.