Finish – James Poitras

If we were to try to explain all Jesus did while on the earth it would take more than all the books available (John 21:25). However, let us look at a sampling.

We see Jesus performed seventeen healings of individuals (fever, leprosy, paralysis, withered hand, blindness, deafness, internal bleeding, dropsy, and severed ear.) He still heals today.

He supplied needs by feeding the hungry on five different occasions; financial need of tax money; stood in the boat and calmed the storm (protection); and walked on water. He said, “Greater works than these shall he do” (John 14:12).

He did His miracles anywhere and everywhere; weddings, funerals, graveyards, synagogues, houses, mountains, pools, and boats. Is there anywhere we can allow Him to use us?

How He performed His miracles: He touched, was touched, spat; wept; groaned; and was moved with compassion. Couldn’t we touch, weep, groan or be moved with compassion over the needs in this world? We are to complete what He started.

Jesus stated what He was beginning to do in Luke 4:18-19 when He said the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him and He was anointed to….

preach the gospel to the poor
sent me to heal the brokenhearted
to preach deliverance to the captives
recovering of sight to the blind
to set at liberty them that are bruised
preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

When He had finished stating what He was going to do He “closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister” (Luke 4:20). This is symbolic of the completion of His earthly ministry and giving us the responsibility to carry on what He began.

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions” (Luke 10:19-20).

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing; it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17-18).

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father….I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you” (John 14:12, 18).

We are to complete what Jesus started!

photo credit: I like via photopin cc

February 5, 2013January 3, 2013 by Jim Poitras Tags: ambassador, Christianity, Finish, purpose, Witness Leave a comment

Derek Redmond
Young British Runner
Shattered his country’s 400 meter record at nineteen
Sport’s injury forced him to withdraw from the 1988 Olympics
Five separate surgeries to correct the problem

1992 Summer Olympics, Barcelona
65,000 fans streamed into the stadium
Derek’s father was a faithful witness to every one of his son’s world competitions.
Wearing a T-Shirt, “Have you hugged your foot today?”

Race began
Derek broke through the pack and took the lead.
Headed down the back stretch.
Heard a pop.
It was his right hamstring.
Pulled up lame, looking as if he had been shot.
Began to hop on the other leg.
Fell to the track.

“The jinx has struck again!”

Medical personnel ran toward him as he sprawled on the ground, holding his right hamstring.

Stir in the stands.
Seeing his son in trouble,
Jim desperately worked his way down toward the track.
No credentials.
Not supposed to be on the track.

Tears poured down Derek’s face.
All he could think of was, “I don’t want a DNF!”
Derek could not stand the thought of having a DNF written beside his name at the Olympics
“I’m not getting on that stretcher”
“I’m going to finish my race.”
Started hopping
One painful step at a time.
Derek limped onward.

Fans rose to their feet.
Began to cheer.
Louder and louder.
Building into a thunderous roar.

Jim reached the bottom of the stands.
Vaulted the railing
Dodged the security guard
Ran to his son
“That’s my son out there”
“I’m going to help him.”

Reached his son.
“I’m here son.”
“We will finish this together.”

Derek put his arms around his father’s shoulders and sobbed.

TOGETHER, arm in arm,
Father and son
Struggled toward the finish line
65,000 people cheering, clapping, and crying.

Within a few feet of the finish line Jim released the grip he had on his son, so that Derek could cross the finish line by himself.

“I’m the proudest father alive.”
“I’m prouder of him than I would have been if he had won the gold medal.”

Together, they kept a promise they had made—
To finish the race…no matter what!
Jim Redmond’s words:
“Whatever happens he had to finish.”
“And I was there to help him.”
“I intended to go over the line with him.”
“We started his career TOGETHER.”
“I think we should finish it TOGETHER!”

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).