I enjoy playing golf even though my score often confirms that I did not play well. On days when I have a bad start, I usually try to psych myself before the final four holes by thinking, C’mon man, finish well. It’s a guy thing to measure success on the golf course by our score even though my wife often reminds me, “if you had fun, you won.”


Many people may have had a bad start in life…. messing up along the way, making mistakes, and having regrets. It is more important to finish well than to start well. Two well known men in the Bible (ironically with the same name) went in opposite directions during their lives. Saul, in the Old Testament, was made king over Israel. He started off very well in the early days of his leadership. God had given him great success. However, he did not finish well due to disobedience and arrogance. Not only did he disobey God, but he set up a victory monument in his own honor. In the New Testament we read of the early life of another Saul (of Tarsus) who was very passionate in his persecution of the followers of Jesus. However, his personal encounter with Jesus resulted in a completely changed life as well as a name change to “Paul.” He started off very badly as an enemy of Jesus but finished well as the apostle Paul, often considered the greatest missionary in history.


Jesus, as always, is the best example of how to finish well. Although there is little written about the first thirty years of Jesus’ life, the impact of the last few years of His ministry on earth was life changing with eternal significance. Even though He willingly gave his life in his early thirties, He finished extremely well by completing the work the Father gave him to do. How can we make sure we finish well?


Jesus has passed on to each of us an amazing legacy. In John 14 Jesus shared with his disciples that his life on this earth was about to end. He would soon leave them and go back to the Father. We can only imagine how troubling this news was. But Jesus wasted no time in providing the comfort and assurance they needed as He spoke the words in v.1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” As Christians, we can claim the same promises that Jesus gave to the disciples expressed by his words in the following verses in Chapter 14:


-We will be with Jesus forever: “…. I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (v.3)


-Jesus reveals God for us: “…. He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (v.9)


-Jesus will never leave us alone: “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter.” (v.16)


Regardless of our age or lot in life, Jesus has made a great succession plan for all those who have put their trust in Him. He has done this by sending the Holy Spirit to live in the hearts of believers. May we draw on the power of the Holy Spirit to give us renewed strength to finish well in living the remainder of our lives in total obedience to our Lord and Savior.