Seeing work through to the bitter end
I am always amazed at what lengths people go to in order to ensure they are doing their best in their work, but also to enable their fellow human beings to have a better life.
Even though it is now 5 years ago, I still have the image of the rescue teams in Chile working to rescue their trapped colleagues in a collapsed mine. They faced numerous challenges, many dangers and great personal cost. Working long hours, their one vision was for the safety and rescue of their friends, family and colleagues. We have all seen news images of emergency services personnel entering flaming buildings to rescue those trapped people, their one driving motivation is the well being of their fellows.
Today of all days, we see the prime example of seeing one’s work through to the bitter end, on this day in order to proclaim freedom for all, Jesus saw his work through to the bitter end. There were plenty of times he could have stepped back from the brink, run off into the distance and avoided his fate. Yet he didn’t. He saw his work through to the end, so that de-humanising power would be confronted and challenged, so that after him there was a possibility of living life in a new reality.
Today, in remembering the new hope the Cross brings, we give thanks for all whose daily work brings challenge and some risk, but despite all they persevere, so that their fellows may have a better life.
