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Begin wherever your curiosity leads. The studies will be here when you’re ready. When I shared my first Matthew study on Facebook today, I mentioned that I planned to post daily, though I might not share every post on Facebook. As I continue setting up this blog, I’ve realized that what matters most to me is making my past studies available for anyone who wants to explore them. For now, I’ll be adding posts to my heart’s content as I work through those studies. Some days that may mean one post; other days it may mean several. I’ll continue reading through and preparing each one before sharing it. There is no need to keep up with everything as it appears. This blog is becoming a place you can browse at your own pace—begin with a book, a question, or a study that interests you, and follow from there. The Bible Books page gathers studies by book, while Study Threads helps connect topics that travel through more than one book. The labels on individual posts also bring related material to...
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8. Sabbath Study: Completed Work, Glory, and the Rest That Remains

God’s Image Study • Genesis • Sabbath Study

Our previous post followed Jesus’ explanation that the Father was working and that he was doing the Father’s works. We now turn to completion.

As we read, keep this question before us: How does completed work relate to others entering what God has prepared?

The work the Father gave

In John 17, Jesus addresses the Father:

“I glorified You on the earth, having finished the work which You have given Me to do.”

— John 17:4, LSB

The Father gives the work. Jesus accomplishes it and glorifies the Father. He then asks to be glorified with the Father, with the Glory he had before the world existed.

Notice when Jesus speaks: this prayer precedes his arrest and crucifixion. His language of completion must be read alongside the events still unfolding. Read John 17:1–5.

Others are included in the purpose

The prayer reaches beyond the disciples present with him to those who will believe through their testimony.

Jesus also speaks of giving them the Glory the Father gave him, with unity as the stated purpose. The Father, the Son, and those receiving through the Son remain distinguishable within that relationship. Read John 17:20–23.

This gives us a connection to follow: Jesus speaks of accomplished work while also praying for others whose believing and unity are still in view.

Completion at the cross

John 19 again draws attention to completion. Jesus knows that all things have been accomplished, Scripture is fulfilled, and he declares:

“It is finished!”

— John 19:30, LSB

The next verse identifies the approaching Sabbath as a high day. Completion and Sabbath stand beside one another in the account. That placement invites comparison with the completed work and seventh-day rest in Genesis. Read John 19:28–31.

The rest remains open to entry

Hebrews 4 holds completed work and continuing invitation together. It refers to God’s works being finished from the foundation of the world, recalls the seventh day, and still calls its hearers to enter His rest.

“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”

— Hebrews 4:9, LSB

The following verses connect entry with resting from one’s works and urge diligence against disobedience. Rest and faithful response belong together. Read Hebrews 4:3–11.

For our study, this distinction matters: the work being complete and people entering its provision are related, but they are not interchangeable statements.

We can carry that distinction into our examination of the favorable year and the larger sequence of life, witness, and completion.

Threads to Follow

  • Delighting in God: Examine Sabbath alongside release, mercy, and restoration in Isaiah 58.

  • The favorable year: Preserve the distinction between Jesus announcing the period and the full extent of its fulfillment.

  • First and afterward: Follow the order stated in 1 Corinthians 15:20–28.

The books were opened…

🌿 By Maria Emilia

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