To walk in the footsteps of Jesus is not a recipe for pastoral idleness. For the finishing of that work took Jesus to the cross, where he cried at the last, “It is finished!” (John 19 v 30, using the same word translated “accomplish” in John 4 v 34, ESV). But it is a very deep encouragement. Jesus’ work ended — so it seemed — in failure. He was betrayed by a close friend. His other followers deserted him. Almost nobody believed in him. He failed: he was crucified in weakness. And yet “he will see of the fruit of the travail of his soul and be satisfied” (Isaiah 53 v 11, RSV).
