The completed task.
A man with an inkhorn had been sent round Jerusalem to set a cross on the foreheads of all penitent persons, and so to mark them for protection against the terrible coming slaughter. This pleasant task had been performed, and the messenger now returned, saying, "I have done as thou hast commanded me." These words are a suitable motto for a completed task.
I. THE SERVANT OF GOD IS REQUIRED TO DO AS HIS MASTER COMMANDS HIM. He is not only required to serve, he is also required to obey; i.e. he is not merely to work for the benefit of his Master, he is to do what his Master wishes. Thus obedience is more than service; and it is harder of performance.
1. He should have a single eye to his Master's will. Possibly this may be contrary to his own inclinations, and even opposed to what he imagines would be most serviceable towards the end in view. Men may criticize, advise, mock, threaten. The servant of God must be ready to reply with St. Peter, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye," etc. (Acts 4:19). The will of God—in the revelation of the Bible, the example of Christ, and a man's own conscience—is the one sole authority. With the enlightened liberty of Christianity this does not come as a blind law, but appealing to conviction. Yet still, when thus we know the right, there is an end of the matter. The servant of God is then like the famous Six Hundred.
2. He has only to accomplish his Master's will. The man with the inkhorn has simply to mark the penitent—not to rescue them, build a castle in which to hide them, fight on their behalf, The Christian soldier is to preach the gospel to every creature. The results he must have with God. Moreover, each is just to do his own part, and not to distress himself because he cannot also do his neighbour's work. The terrible burden of the world would seem less if we realized our responsibility as lying just in obedience.
II. THE JOY OF THE SERVANT OF GOD IS IN ACCOMPLISHING THE TASK HIS MASTER LAYS UPON HIM. God does not put upon his servants harder work than they can perform by his aid. Now we have to face our tasks, and perhaps they appear toilsome and formidable. It will be a most happy thing to be able to look back upon them as accomplished. Not, indeed, that any one perfectly fulfils the Master's commands. Christ alone could cry, in the fullest sense of the words, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). Yet St. Paul could say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). And Christ will welcome his true steward with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:23).
1. There is the joy of accomplishment. The task of a Sisyphus is one of the tortures of Tartarus. The aimlessness of the walk of the treadmill gives the sting to the convict's punishment. There is a joy in accomplishment. Each stage passed, each height climbed, each task done, brings its own joy—a joy of which the indolent can have no conception. The true servant will say -
"And I will ask for no reward,
Except to serve thee still."
2. There is the joy of the Master's approval. Christ makes obedience the condition of his friendship (John 15:14).
HOMILIES BY J.R. THOMSON