João 4:34

DISCOURSE: 1620
CHRIST’S DILIGENCE IN SERVING GOD

João 4:34. Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

OUR blessed Lord, throughout his whole life, was the most illustrious pattern of condescension to man and of fidelity to God. Both these dispositions were eminently displayed in the history before us. Notwithstanding he was already exhausted with a long and fatiguing journey, he had been labouring for the salvation of a most abandoned adulteress: and when urged to intermit his exertions for a little while in order to recruit his strength by some necessary refreshment, he declared, that food was not so delightful to a famished body, as the prosecuting of the great ends of his ministry was to his soul.
From his words we shall take occasion to,

I. Consider our Lord’s example—

Jesus, in his human and mediatorial capacity, was the Father’s servant. And the work assigned him was, to reveal in a more perfect manner the will of God, and to save mankind by his own obedience unto death.
In this work he engaged,

1. With fervent affection—

[Nothing could exceed the delight with which he undertook the arduous task [Note: Salmos 40:7.]: nothing the zeal with which he accomplished it [Note: Lucas 12:50.]. Whether we view his private addresses to God [Note: Hebreus 5:7.], or his public ministrations among men [Note: He was filled with joy at the least prospect of success, ver. 35 and he grieved and wept when he could not succeed, Marcos 3:5.Lucas 19:41.], we shall see that in him was that prophecy accomplished, “The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up [Note: João 2:17.].”]

2. With indefatigable diligence—

[From the commencement of his ministry to the end of it not a day was unemployed. Frequently, after having laboured all the day, he spent the night in prayer, and resumed his labours with the returning light. Like the sun in the firmament, he proceeded in one steady course through all the cities, towns, and villages; nor ever ceased from his work, till he could say, “It is finished.”]

3. With undaunted resolution—

[What “continual opposition” did he endure! He was truly “a sign spoken against,” or a butt of contradiction [Note: Lucas 2:34.]. There was not any thing however perverse, scandalous, or contemptuous, but his ears were assailed with it from day to day. From the very first discourse he uttered till the hour of his crucifixion, his enemies never ceased to seek his life [Note: João 11:8.]. Yet did he persevere in the face of every danger, and at last complete his obedience, by surrendering up his life upon the cross.]

That we may profit from this great example, we will,

II.

Propose it for your imitation—

We also have a work to do for God—
[Our work is great; but O! how different from that which was committed to our Lord! We have not to satisfy the demands of justice, or to endure the wrath due to sin: blessed be God! that was the Redeemer’s, work; and it has been finished by him on our behalf. The work which we have to do is to believe in Christ [Note: João 6:29.], and, from a sense of his love to us, to devote ourselves unreservedly to his service [Note: Romanos 12:1.]

Let us then engage in it,

1. Heartily—

[“Whatever our hand findeth to do, we should do it with all our might [Note: Eclesiastes 9:10.].” A lukewarm service is unacceptable, yea, hateful to God [Note: Apocalipse 3:15.]. Let us then first labour to know the will of God, and then endeavour to do it with our whole hearts. Let us be “fervent in spirit, while we serve the Lord [Note: Romanos 12:11.].”]

2. Uniformly—

[It is not an occasional act of zeal that will please God, but a steady conscientious, uniform discharge of our duty. Our spirit, alas! is often faint; and even, when “the spirit is willing, our flesh is weak.” But we must counteract our sloth, and “give all diligence to make our calling and election sure [Note: 2 Pedro 1:10.].”]

3. Courageously—

[We shall surely meet with reproach and persecution, if we set ourselves in earnest to serve the Lord [Note: 2 Timóteo 3:12.]. But let us “remember him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself [Note: Hebreus 12:3.].” Woe be to us if we draw back through the fear of man [Note: Hebreus 10:38.]. We must hate, not only father and mother, but even our own life also, if we would be Christ’s Disciples [Note: Lucas 14:26.]. Let us then “take up our cross daily” after Christ’s example, and “suffer with him, in order that we may be also glorified together [Note: Romanos 8:17.].”]

Address—
1.

Those who are unconcerned about the work of God—

[Has not God appointed you a work to do; and ought you not to have begun it long ago? Is it expedient to leave it to a dying hour? What if you should die before it is finished? O, begin instantly; for the “night cometh, wherein no man can work.”]

2. Those who do his work deceitfully—

[God has pronounced such persons accursed, no less than if they did nothing for him [Note: Jeremias 48:10.]. His service must be your “meat” and drink; the joy of your souls, and the business of your lives. See then that ye “approve yourselves to God as servants that need not be ashamed [Note: 2 Timóteo 2:15.].”]

3. Those who are in a measure conformed to their Saviour’s image—

[Bless your God, who has thus far enabled you to serve him. But O! think how much you fall short of your heavenly pattern! Forget then what is behind, and press forward for that which is before you [Note: Filipenses 3:13.]: so shall you in due season “rest from your labours,” and be welcomed as good and faithful servants to the joy of your Lord [Note: Mateus 25:21.]