I want you to finish my work!

The famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini wrote: “La Boheme”, “Madama Butterfly” and “Tosca”.

It was during his battle with terminal cancer in 1922 that he began to write “Turandot”, which many now consider his best work. He worked on the score day and night, despite his friends’ advice to rest, and to save his energy. When his sickness worsened, Puccini said to his disciples: If I don’t finish ‘Turandot’, I want you to finish it. He died in 1924, leaving the work unfinished.

His disciples gathered all that was written of “Turandot”, studied it in great detail, and then proceeded to write the remainder of the opera.

The world premier was performed in La Scala Opera House in Milan in 1926, and Toscanini, Puccini’s favourite student, conducted it. The opera went beautifully. When Toscanini came to the end of the part written by Puccini, he stopped the music, put down the baton, turned to the audience, and announced: Thus far the master wrote, but he died. There was a long pause; no one moved. Then Toscanini picked up the baton, turned to the audience and, with tears in his eyes, announced: But his disciples finished his work.

The opera closed to thunderous applause, and to a permanent place in the annals of great works.

Why this story today?

Well, Jesus instructs us in His Ascension message to finish His work of saving mankind by proclaiming His Good News by words and deeds.

Puccini had fantastic disciples. Because of their love to their Master, they have done marvellous job on his behalf. Are you ready for the same challenge for your Master – Jesus? Are you really ready?

Nowadays so many people say they are worth “it”. What is “it”? It can be so many different things. But Jesus doesn’t want to hear about “it”. He wants you to show Him that’s what counts!

Get you ready, make a plan and show to the whole World what Jesus is worth for you.