John 17:4

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 17:4 (KJV)

Context

This verse is part of Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17, spoken just before His crucifixion. In this chapter, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and all believers, expressing His desire for God to be glorified and for the unity and protection of His followers. Here, Jesus gives the Father a reason to glorify Him: He has glorified the Father on earth and has finished the work given to Him.

Meaning

Jesus begins by saying, “I have glorified thee on the earth.” Throughout His earthly ministry, He consistently demonstrated the character, power, and love of God the Father. Through His teachings, miracles, and ultimately His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus revealed the glory of God to the world. He glorified the Father personally, verbally, and by deeds.

Jesus then states, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” He recognised that He had completed the mission and purpose for which God the Father sent Him into the world. This work involved proclaiming the message of salvation, demonstrating God’s love, and offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity. When Jesus says “I have finished,” He speaks with confidence, as if it were already accomplished, because the hour of His death was at hand and all preparations for that death were made.

Jesus’ words highlight His obedience and faithfulness to the Father. He fulfilled the divine plan without hesitation or deviation. His life serves as the ultimate example of perfect obedience to God’s will. This statement is recorded for the honor of Christ, showing that His life on earth fully answered the end of His coming into the world.

Biblical connections

This verse connects to John 19:30, where Jesus declares “It is finished” on the cross, and to John 4:34, where Jesus speaks of doing the will of Him who sent Him and finishing His work. These passages together show that Jesus’ entire earthly ministry was directed toward completing the Father’s will, culminating in His sacrificial death.

Application

As followers of Jesus, we can draw several lessons from this verse:

• The purpose of our lives is to bring glory to God. We should strive to live in a way that reflects God’s character and brings honour to His name.

• We have been given specific tasks and assignments by God. Just as Jesus had a work to complete, God has a unique plan for each of us. We should seek to understand and fulfil our God-given purpose, using our talents, abilities, and opportunities to make a positive impact for His kingdom.

• Obedience and faithfulness are essential. Jesus’ commitment to complete the work given by God serves as a model for us. We should be faithful in carrying out the tasks assigned to us, even when faced with challenges or opposition.

• It is possible to finish the work God has given us. Jesus declared that He had finished the work, indicating that it is possible to complete the tasks God has set before us. Through His strength and guidance, we can accomplish what He has called us to do.

Reflection

Jesus’ words also bring encouragement to all who rest upon Him. If He has finished the work given Him, He is a complete Savior. He who finished His work for us will also finish it in us to the day of Christ. As we trust in Him, we can be confident that the work God has begun in our lives will be brought to completion.