DEVOTIONAL

It is Possible to Get to the Finish Line

I was just a 9-year-old girl when I first took the endurance running exam for physical education class. I was excited and scared at the same time, because I didn't know what it was like to run about 1km without resting. The professor explained that it was not necessary to run fast as in the sprint but to be able to reach the finish line. We were all at the starting point waiting for the order to run. When they gave the order, I ran as fast as I could. I thought that if I ran fast, faster I would reach the finish line, and to my surprise at 200 meters I realized that I was in front of everyone but I felt that my legs were not enough for me anymore. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. I collapsed on the track feeling that my strength was lacking and the sky was clouding over me. Many from afar shouted at me to continue, but just like a distant whistle I could hear them.

The next face I saw was that of my teacher who quietly approached me. Bending his knees on the track, he offered me water and without saying a word, took my little hands bathed in tears, helped lift me up and decided to walk by my side, the remaining 800 meters, until the two of us together could reach the finish line. It was then that with a smile he told me: "You did it.”

Being a pastor's spouse I liken to an endurance race. It's not about running too fast; it's about reaching the finish line. So I identify with Paul when he said in Hebrews 12:1, 2: "... let us run patiently the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith..."

While we are running there are obstacles that when we cross them, leave us without strength lying on the way. There are obstacles that cause us to stumble and fall. There are obstacles to distorting our view of true destiny.

That is why Paul is not wrong when he warns us how to run: "with patience…fixing our eyes on Jesus." And why on Jesus? For He is the author of Faith.

•      He is, the one who fabricates Faith,
•      He is, the originator of Faith,
•      He is, the principle and the end of Faith,
•      He is, the purpose of Faith.

But he is not only the author, but also the finisher of the Faith, because He brought the Faith to its real fulfillment. The Greek word used for finisher is the word: Telelestai (τετέλεσται – Nishlam נִשְׁלָם). [1] So He is, the Tetelestai of our Faith.

There are three important occasions when the word Tetelestai was used:

1. When a slave was freed by his master and this slave decided to continue serving out of love not out of obligation and his master entrusted him with a task, when he finished his work he could shout Tetelestai (It is finished), the task has been finished, it has been done, it has been finished.

2. When the last lamb of the day was sacrificed in the Temple or the perfect lamb was found. The priest could say Tetelestai (consummating is) the debt has been paid, the lamb has been found.[2]

3. When Jesus went to the cross and after He had drunk vinegar He said, "It is finished" (Tetelestai), the work has been finished, the debt has been paid, the lamb has been found.[3]

Therefore:

• When you feel that you are being criticized.
• When others' expectations of your children are too high.
• When you do everything to serve others and they do not recognize your work, on the contrary, let you know that you have done nothing more than fulfill your duty.
• When several stand up to criticize your spouse, including those who have helped the most.
• When you have to go on a trip that is not to your liking, but you must accompany your congregation.
• When you go to live in the place you like the least, but that was assigned to you.
• When you try to find your Faith that is as small as a mustard seed and you feel that you can't find it, I want to remind you that maybe you put it in your purse and there are too many things in there and also it is constantly shaken as you walk. That's why it's hard for you to find it.

But now I invite you to look up and look at your side. There is Jesus, the divine Teacher, the author of the Faith, the Tetelestai of Faith, who putting his knees on the track, gives you the water of life, takes your hands bathed in tears, helps lift you up and advances with you until you reach the goal. It's not about you, it's about Him. Therefore, friends, let us run, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Because it is possible to reach the goal.

1] The verb tetelestai is conjugated in the perfect tense, passive voice, indicative mood in the third person singular of the verb teleo. Seen in: Amador Ángel García Santos, "τελεω-teleo", Dictionary of Biblical Greek: Seventy and New Testament (Navarra, Spain: Editorial Verbo Divino, 2018), p. 840.

[2] The word that has been translated "finished is" in most Bibles, in Greek it is "tetelestai" τετέλεσται. This expression is a reference to the word "Nishlam" נִשְׁלָם which in Hebrew some claim the High Priest exclaimed when the last one was sacrificed the lamb of the Feast of the Passover, that lamb which had been carefully chosen and selected for having no blemish. Xavier Pikaza – https://www.religiondigital.org/el_blog_de_x-_pikaza/Consummatum-est_7_2113958591.html

[3] John 19:30

______________________ 

Bibliography

Dictionary of Biblical Greek: Seventy and New Testament, Navarre, Spain: Editorial Verbo Divino, 2018, p. 840.

Alonso Schökel, Luis, "כלה-kalah", Hebrew-Spanish Bible Dictionary, Madrid, Spain: Editorial Trotta, 1999, p. 360-61.

https://www.religiondigital.org/el_blog_de_x-_pikaza/Consummatum-est_7_2113958591.html 

https://atravesdelasescrituras.com/2023/04/09/consumado-es-tetelestai 

https://integridadysabiduria.org/

Mayrellis Mantos Hernandez

......let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

Hebrews 12: 1-2 (NIV)

...The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory....



Conflict and Courage, Ellen G. White, p.351

"Heaven is open to our petitions and we are to come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need."

E.G. White, Prayer, p. 15.4.

Prayers of thanksgiving and guidance over two new grandparents---that God will come close as they help in forming these little ones for Him!

Yosca and Sergio Monterroso welcomed baby boy Dominic Joel.

Wendy and Kevin Dunn welcomed baby girl Evie.

In the Kitchen With Lynne Burk

When we, as a family, discovered Indian food, we knew it would be a favorite forever! An interesting ingredient in this particular recipe only enhances the flavors. I learned long ago from a home economics teacher not to be afraid of ‘odd’ ingredients. She challenged us to make a Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake. No one would have ever guessed what was in it!

Red Lentil Curry - Serves 6

Ingredients:

• Rice [I use Basmati See directions below]
• 2-3 TBS virgin coconut oil
• 8 cloves garlic
• 4 inch fresh piece of ginger, peeled and minced or grated
• 2 TSP Ground Turmeric
• 2 TSP Ground Cumin
• 1 TSP Ground Coriander
• ½ TSP Cayenne Pepper (we only use ½ TSP because we like mild to medium heat)
• 4 TSP Curry Powder
• 2 TSP Garam Masalsa
• Sea Salt (I use 2 TSP and add a little more at the end if needed)
• 2 cups Red or Split Red Lentils (split cooks faster)
• 4 cups low sodium Vegetable Broth (same as one 32 oz. carton)
• 2 - 14 oz. cans diced tomatoes (can use crushed)
• 2 - 13.5 ounce cans full-fat coconut milk
• 6 TBS Unsweetened, Creamy Almond Butter (can decrease a little but don’t leave it out!)
• 1 Small Lemon, juiced
• ½ Cup Dried Cilantro

Instructions:

• This is a recipe where time matters but flows very smoothly and easily if your prep work is done. Have all your ingredients measured, chopped, squeezed, and placed in bowls of their own. Place all of your dried spices except cilantro in the same bowl. I even open my cans of tomatoes and coconut milk to have them ready to pour in. Have your timer close by.

• Rinse your rice until the water is as clear as possible and then put it in your Rice Cooker with the amount of water needed and start the Cooker. We like Basmati Rice. I use a cup of rice for every 2 cups of water. I find that the lentil curry and rice are done about the same time! (about 45 minutes)

• Rinse red lentils under cold water using a strainer until the water runs clear. Set aside. Heat a large, deep skillet or large saucepan (with a lid) over medium-high heat and add the coconut oil. You can use refined, though I never have. Once the oil takes on a shiny appearance, add garlic and ginger and cook for 2 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent garlic from burning.

• Add dried cumin, coriander, cayenne, curry powder, garam masala, salt to taste, and cook for 30-60 seconds until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

• Pour in the vegetable broth. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any possible browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Add lentils and the canned tomatoes. Mix well. Reduce heat to low and cover the pan with a lid. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through and mostly softened. (don’t remove the lid till time is up)

• Remove the lid and stir in the coconut milk, almond butter, with more salt to taste. Continue cooking on low to medium heat, uncovered, for 5-8 minute, until the curry has thickened and is creamy. Stir frequently.

• Finally, add the lemon juice and the cilantro and turn off the heat.

• Serve with the rice and your favorite Indian bread (ours is Naan) and garnish with a little more cilantro. Yum!

Notes: Feel free to use fresh Turmeric, Cilantro, and a fresh cayenne pepper instead of the dried. You will need to increase the amounts, though. Do take care in increasing the amount of cayenne. I would always use a fresh lemon for the juice rather than bottled. It’s that much better.