Greater Is He: How Jesus Would Handle Finals

In the midst of finals, it is completely “normal” aka socially acceptable to be worried, stressed, and best of all, complaining. In fact, we complain about being stressed to such a degree that it actually adds to our stress level.

As Christians, we are called to live as Jesus did. Now, we all know that this is not possible because of our sinful nature, yet the impossibility of the task is no reason not to strive for it altogether.

So, if we genuinely want to live as Christ did, let’s take a look at how Jesus would handle finals.
(silly concept to think about, I know)

Recently, I posted on Facebook about Jesus and his words, or lack thereof. Over the span of Jesus’ life, He was recorded as speaking an astonishing 2,000-some-odd words.  Meaning that a vast majority of the Christian doctrine, aka the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was founded largely upon Jesus’ actions.

The time span from which Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane until Calvary was about an 18 hour span.

Those 18 hours of Jesus’ life encompassed some of his most imperative moments and teaching opportunities. In that 18 hour span when the people were “deciding” (I put this in quotations because Christ’s death was ultimately a part of the Lord’s plan) Jesus’ fate, He spoke right around 500 words. 500 words that would take less than 5 minutes to say. In that 18 hour span when Jesus was staring death in the face, a lamb being led to the slaughter, He spoke less than 5 minutes.

Jesus had multiple opportunities to provide excuses to the council, to plead for his life, to condemn those who were condemning him. Yet, Jesus spoke less than 5 minutes, none of which encompassed excuses, pleading, or condemnation.

1 Peter 2:1-25 are the verses that my RSC pledge class recently memorized, and it has completely opened my eyes to a lot of things. This is one of them.

“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly”. -1 Peter 2:22 & 23

If you ask me how Jesus would have handled finals, I can tell you right now that he would not be stressing and complaining. Instead, he would approach his burden with confidence, cast his worries upon the Lord, and ultimately entrust himself to God. (no, this is not an excuse for you to fail all of your finals).

Steps to approaching finals in a Christ-like way:
1.     BE STILL.

When I think of the concept of being still before the Lord, I am reminded of Moses and the Israelites fleeing from the Egyptians. After an extended period of oppression from the Egyptians, the Lord used Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage. Later on, Pharaoh decides to pursue the Israelites due to the hardening of his heart.

“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.”…. “Moses answered the people ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still.’” Exodous 14:10-14

With finals approaching and your professors beginning to remind you more and more of Pharaoh, be still before the Lord. The same God that delivered the Israelites from a vast army of Egyptians can deliver you from a few, simple tests.

2.     YES, STUDY!!

Just because you know that the Lord has a plan for your life and that he is on your side and all those other clichés does NOT give you an excuse to avoid studying. Do not expect to watch Netflix for an entire week, pray for guidance during the test, and get an A. I’m not putting limitations on the Lord here, but that mindset just isn’t parallel with scripture.

Colossians 3:23 says “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

As a Christian, and I do not use this term loosely, everything you do either glorifies God or glorifies the world. The Lord has provided you a school to attend and has specifically set you in those classes for a reason. Be a good steward of that and glorify him with your work ethic.

“The sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied” – Proverbs 13:4

Lastly, keep in mind that just as the Lord used Pharaoh and his army for His glory (Exodus 14:4), He can also use your attitude towards finals for His glory.

3.     STOP COMPLAINING

We all get it, you’re stressed, you’re ready to go home, and you’re tired of the 15 degree weather. Nevertheless, stop complaining. If all you talk about is how worried you are for your finals, you might need to reevaluate your trust in God.

Philippians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Did you catch that? Present your requents to GOD. Not to your friends, your family, or anybody else who will listen. Call upon the name of the Lord. Cry out to God just as the Israelites did. He is El Shaddai: The All-Sufficient One.

4.     YOUR GRADES DO NOT DEFINE YOU

This is one of the hardest concepts for me to grasp. Largely in part to my sinful pride taking precedence when it comes to my grades. As great as it is to glorify God with your grades, your grades do not define you. The Lord, in his sovereignty and grace, has provided each of us with different gift and skill sets (1 Corinthians 12). Overall, those gifts and skill sets are meant for us to use to further the kingdom, yet as a sinful society, we have turned those gifts and skill sets into means by which we glorify ourselves. Jesus himself, the only man to have ever lived a perfect life, testified that, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing…” John 8:54

Eventually, everything of this world is going to pass away- your grades included. Even our lives here on Earth are but a breath, a mist.

At the end of the day, despite what the red-penned grade on the top of your test may tell you, you are still a child of God, you are still His precious stone, you are still worthy.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory”

–Ephesians 1:13 & 14

Jesus is sweeter.