John 21:14-25
Today's reading will bring us to the end of our journey through the book of John.
And yet, what we have read about Jesus only touches the tip of the iceberg, "...There are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written..."
After Jesus' crucifixion Peter went back to fishing. His statement of purpose, "I am going fishing.", gave other disciples something to do, also. They went fishing with him!
Have you ever know a "Type A" person? They go from event to event, project to project, barely slowing down between each, always looking forward to the next. When we read about Peter throughout the Gospels, he seems to fit that profile. And imagine how many events he had witnessed if all that Jesus had done during His earthly ministry couldn't be written down because the, "...world itself couldn't contain all the books that would be written..."! Each day would've been filled with meaning and purpose.
And then the cross...
The hiding in fear behind a closed door...
With Jesus gone, what purpose did life have?
Jesus did not leave Thomas in doubt....and He did not leave Peter without purpose.
"...do you love me? ...Feed my sheep..."
Even though Peter had betrayed Jesus, there was still a reason for him to go on. Jesus had a plan for Peter that was much bigger than a fishing boat, nets and fish. We see the plan lived out in Acts 2. Peter was in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Now filled with the Holy Spirit he stood before a crowd of devout Jews from, "every nation under heaven", and Peter raised his voice to tell them about Jesus Christ... that they needed to, "Repent...be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...be saved from this perverse generation."
God has a purpose for us too.
Perhaps you doubt that statement. You, like Peter, may have denied Jesus over and again. How could He possibly care about you? How could you have a part in the work of His Kingdom?
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)
Jesus gave Peter a purpose. You are not here randomly, He has a purpose for you, too!
Believe what you have read in the book of John. Jesus loves you. He died for you. He offers eternal life with Him if you repent of your sins and confess Him as your Savior. He will walk with you every day of your life and reveal the purpose He has for you.
And you will be amazed...
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Empty Nets, Full Nets!
John 21:1-13
Peter and some of the other disciples were together at the Sea of Tiberias. They were no longer locked up in fear, but had gone back to the place of two great miracles; this is where Jesus fed the five thousand (John 6:1-15), and where He walked on water (John 6:16-24). Imagine the excitement of following Jesus each day, not knowing what miracle He might next perform. Imagine the emptiness the disciples surely felt when He was no longer there leading and teaching them.
And so we see the fisherman Peter, at the sea, back to doing what he had before Jesus chose him as His disciple - fishing. The others climb into the boat with him and spend the night casting their nets, but catching nothing. And as they fished, perhaps they reminisced. Peter himself had walked on these very waters! They had all seen the wind and waves obey Jesus as He calmed the stormy sea! Though Jesus wasn't with them, He had given them many experiences to think about, teaching to remember, a new way to live.
Daylight breaks, and on the shore Someone shouts to them, "Children, have you any food?" No fish, no food - empty nets and empty stomachs! The One on shore calls to them again, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." They don't know who this is yet - and since they've been fishing all night you can imagine that they probably have cast that net to the right a few times! But they cast it out anyway - after all, what do they have to lose? The net is so full of fish when they try to pull it out that they can't bring it all the way back into the boat!
What may have started as a dismal day is suddenly full of excitement! John realized Jesus was on the shore, Peter jumped out of the boat to get to Jesus as quickly as he could, the rest joined him as the boat came near. Jesus had breakfast ready - bread and fish.
Jesus didn't forget about His disciples. He appeared to them time and again, strengthening their belief.
Because we don't see Him, we sometimes forget Jesus is near. That He cares about us. That He provides what we need, especially when all our own efforts leave us empty!
Our lives are like the disciples' nets- empty when we forget Jesus and go our own way, full when we listen to His instruction for us!
Peter and some of the other disciples were together at the Sea of Tiberias. They were no longer locked up in fear, but had gone back to the place of two great miracles; this is where Jesus fed the five thousand (John 6:1-15), and where He walked on water (John 6:16-24). Imagine the excitement of following Jesus each day, not knowing what miracle He might next perform. Imagine the emptiness the disciples surely felt when He was no longer there leading and teaching them.
And so we see the fisherman Peter, at the sea, back to doing what he had before Jesus chose him as His disciple - fishing. The others climb into the boat with him and spend the night casting their nets, but catching nothing. And as they fished, perhaps they reminisced. Peter himself had walked on these very waters! They had all seen the wind and waves obey Jesus as He calmed the stormy sea! Though Jesus wasn't with them, He had given them many experiences to think about, teaching to remember, a new way to live.
Daylight breaks, and on the shore Someone shouts to them, "Children, have you any food?" No fish, no food - empty nets and empty stomachs! The One on shore calls to them again, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." They don't know who this is yet - and since they've been fishing all night you can imagine that they probably have cast that net to the right a few times! But they cast it out anyway - after all, what do they have to lose? The net is so full of fish when they try to pull it out that they can't bring it all the way back into the boat!
What may have started as a dismal day is suddenly full of excitement! John realized Jesus was on the shore, Peter jumped out of the boat to get to Jesus as quickly as he could, the rest joined him as the boat came near. Jesus had breakfast ready - bread and fish.
Jesus didn't forget about His disciples. He appeared to them time and again, strengthening their belief.
Because we don't see Him, we sometimes forget Jesus is near. That He cares about us. That He provides what we need, especially when all our own efforts leave us empty!
Our lives are like the disciples' nets- empty when we forget Jesus and go our own way, full when we listen to His instruction for us!
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Believing, Though You Haven't Seen
John 20:19-30
Jesus is alive!
Mary has seen Him. Now Jesus would appear to His disciples!
Who are assembled behind closed doors, fearful of the religious leaders...
Think about the disciples situation for a moment. They were being blamed for Jesus' disappearance from the tomb. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to die...and stay dead. The disciples are in danger, they will be persecuted. And then Jesus walks into their midst, shows them His hands, His side, and gives them peace.
Peace from the anguish of fear, doubt and unbelief...
An absent disciple, Thomas, refuses to take the disciples' word that Jesus has appeared to them. Unless I, "...see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.", states Thomas. He wants to know for sure, to be given the same opportunity for belief that the other disciples were given.
Eight days later, the disciples are shut up again, and Thomas is with them. Jesus walks into their midst offering them peace. Then He turns to Thomas and says, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." Jesus was fully aware of the anguish of unbelief that Thomas was struggling with. He knew that Thomas wasn't satisfied with hearing about the experience of the other disciples, but rather wanted to see for himself. Jesus met Thomas right where he was, He wanted Thomas to be free of doubt and full of belief.
Thomas was! "My Lord and my God!", he exclaimed to Jesus. Thomas had seen and believed.
Then Jesus proclaims a blessing, "...Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
What is keeping you from the peace of Jesus?
Is it fear...doubt...unbelief?
Jesus knows. He knew what Thomas was struggling with, He knows the anguish you are feeling. And He wants you to believe every bit as much as He wanted Thomas to believe. You are precious to Him. The scars from crucifixion He allowed the disciples to touch - well, those represent what He did for you, too!
Jesus has left earth. After He spoke with His disciples one last time on earth, they watched as He was taken up into Heaven. (Acts 1:9-11) We do not have the opportunity to see His scars and believe. But that is not a bad thing.
To those of us who believe, even though we haven't seen, Jesus calls us "blessed"!
Jesus is alive!
Mary has seen Him. Now Jesus would appear to His disciples!
Who are assembled behind closed doors, fearful of the religious leaders...
Think about the disciples situation for a moment. They were being blamed for Jesus' disappearance from the tomb. The religious leaders wanted Jesus to die...and stay dead. The disciples are in danger, they will be persecuted. And then Jesus walks into their midst, shows them His hands, His side, and gives them peace.
Peace from the anguish of fear, doubt and unbelief...
An absent disciple, Thomas, refuses to take the disciples' word that Jesus has appeared to them. Unless I, "...see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.", states Thomas. He wants to know for sure, to be given the same opportunity for belief that the other disciples were given.
Eight days later, the disciples are shut up again, and Thomas is with them. Jesus walks into their midst offering them peace. Then He turns to Thomas and says, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." Jesus was fully aware of the anguish of unbelief that Thomas was struggling with. He knew that Thomas wasn't satisfied with hearing about the experience of the other disciples, but rather wanted to see for himself. Jesus met Thomas right where he was, He wanted Thomas to be free of doubt and full of belief.
Thomas was! "My Lord and my God!", he exclaimed to Jesus. Thomas had seen and believed.
Then Jesus proclaims a blessing, "...Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
What is keeping you from the peace of Jesus?
Is it fear...doubt...unbelief?
Jesus knows. He knew what Thomas was struggling with, He knows the anguish you are feeling. And He wants you to believe every bit as much as He wanted Thomas to believe. You are precious to Him. The scars from crucifixion He allowed the disciples to touch - well, those represent what He did for you, too!
Jesus has left earth. After He spoke with His disciples one last time on earth, they watched as He was taken up into Heaven. (Acts 1:9-11) We do not have the opportunity to see His scars and believe. But that is not a bad thing.
To those of us who believe, even though we haven't seen, Jesus calls us "blessed"!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Why are You Weeping?
John 20:1-18
Sabbath is over. The gentle light of dawn is just replacing dark on the first day of the week after Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Women, followers of Jesus, who left the tomb to observe the Sabbath, make their way back.
It was the last place they had seen Him, and they couldn't stay away.
The stone is gone, and Mary Magdelene runs to tell Peter and, "the other disciple whom Jesus loved", that Jesus has been taken away. The disciples run to the tomb and see for themselves that Jesus is gone, the linen burial cloths lying there empty. The handkerchief that had been around His head, folded and placed neatly by itself. Jesus is gone...the disciples go home.
But Mary stays. She weeps. She stoops to look in the tomb and sees two angels sitting where Jesus has lain. The angels know where Jesus is. They know He is alive...
"Woman, why are you weeping?"
Because Jesus is gone, and she can't find Him. As she stands there, sad and alone, she has no idea that Jesus is alive, or how close Jesus is! And then He calls her name, "Mary".
Jesus is close to us even when we aren't sure where to find Him. He calls our name, wanting us to turn and believe that He is alive. To rejoice, as Mary did, when she saw Him risen from the grave!
Jesus told them He would, "be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." (Luke 24:7)
Mary, and then many others, would tell you He certainly did!
Sabbath is over. The gentle light of dawn is just replacing dark on the first day of the week after Jesus' crucifixion and burial. Women, followers of Jesus, who left the tomb to observe the Sabbath, make their way back.
It was the last place they had seen Him, and they couldn't stay away.
The stone is gone, and Mary Magdelene runs to tell Peter and, "the other disciple whom Jesus loved", that Jesus has been taken away. The disciples run to the tomb and see for themselves that Jesus is gone, the linen burial cloths lying there empty. The handkerchief that had been around His head, folded and placed neatly by itself. Jesus is gone...the disciples go home.
But Mary stays. She weeps. She stoops to look in the tomb and sees two angels sitting where Jesus has lain. The angels know where Jesus is. They know He is alive...
"Woman, why are you weeping?"
Because Jesus is gone, and she can't find Him. As she stands there, sad and alone, she has no idea that Jesus is alive, or how close Jesus is! And then He calls her name, "Mary".
Jesus is close to us even when we aren't sure where to find Him. He calls our name, wanting us to turn and believe that He is alive. To rejoice, as Mary did, when she saw Him risen from the grave!
Jesus told them He would, "be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." (Luke 24:7)
Mary, and then many others, would tell you He certainly did!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Finished, But Not Over!
John 19:25-42
Christ hangs on the cross...
Beaten, bloody, feeling pain most of us have no way of imagining...
And in the midst of His crucifixion commends the care of His mother to one of His disciples, tells one of the thieves hanging next to Him on a cross that He would see Him in Paradise that day...
Caring about people like us to the very end.
With His last breath He cried out to God, and it was finished. As He yielded up His Spirit, the veil in the temple tore in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, rocks were split, bodies of dead saints were raised out of their graves and appeared to many in the holy city! The centurion and those guarding Jesus with him proclaimed, "Truly this was the Son of God". Courageous Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for the dead body of Jesus, then wrapped Him in linen and placed Him in his new tomb. A tomb of hewn rock, a large stone rolled over the opening. The stone was sealed. A guard was placed at the tomb, just in case His disciples came to take Him away - the religious leaders remembered Jesus' words, "After three days I will rise", and wanted to make sure Jesus stayed where He was! Women - followers of Jesus, took note of where He'd been taken.
The scene is dismal and dark. For many this is where the story ends. Jesus came, lived an exemplary life, and gave us an example to follow. Like prophets before, and those some would say came after, He died and was buried. It was finished.
Yes, the crucifixion was over. Yes, Jesus died. Yes, Jesus was buried. Jesus' obedient act that redeemed mankind from sin, allowing our relationship with God to be restored, was finished.
From the finished work of Jesus we have our beginning! "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)
The death of Christ brought us life!
It is finished, but it is not over!
Christ hangs on the cross...
Beaten, bloody, feeling pain most of us have no way of imagining...
And in the midst of His crucifixion commends the care of His mother to one of His disciples, tells one of the thieves hanging next to Him on a cross that He would see Him in Paradise that day...
Caring about people like us to the very end.
With His last breath He cried out to God, and it was finished. As He yielded up His Spirit, the veil in the temple tore in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, rocks were split, bodies of dead saints were raised out of their graves and appeared to many in the holy city! The centurion and those guarding Jesus with him proclaimed, "Truly this was the Son of God". Courageous Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for the dead body of Jesus, then wrapped Him in linen and placed Him in his new tomb. A tomb of hewn rock, a large stone rolled over the opening. The stone was sealed. A guard was placed at the tomb, just in case His disciples came to take Him away - the religious leaders remembered Jesus' words, "After three days I will rise", and wanted to make sure Jesus stayed where He was! Women - followers of Jesus, took note of where He'd been taken.
The scene is dismal and dark. For many this is where the story ends. Jesus came, lived an exemplary life, and gave us an example to follow. Like prophets before, and those some would say came after, He died and was buried. It was finished.
Yes, the crucifixion was over. Yes, Jesus died. Yes, Jesus was buried. Jesus' obedient act that redeemed mankind from sin, allowing our relationship with God to be restored, was finished.
From the finished work of Jesus we have our beginning! "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." (Romans 8:11)
The death of Christ brought us life!
It is finished, but it is not over!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Death or Exhaustion?
John 19: 23-24
In Lee Strobel's book, "The Case for Christ", the possibility that Jesus never died on the cross is discussed. This possibility is known as the "swoon" theory. The thought behind the theory is, "that Jesus only fainted from exhaustion on the cross, or He had been given a drug that made Him appear to die, and that He had later been revived by the cool, damp air of the tomb." The implication of this idea is that Christ's crucifixion wasn't much worse than being worn out from completing a triathlon. However, Strobel's book also shares a vivid description of a Roman flogging, and the act of crucifixion from the viewpoint of a medical doctor, who had studied history, archaeology and data concerning the death of Christ. Upon reading Alexander Metherell's explanation of the physical torture Christ endured prior to and during His crucifixion, we would be hard pressed to imagine anyone being revived by the "cool, damp air of the tomb".
The Roman soldiers dividing up His garments and casting lots for His tunic had no doubt that Jesus was no longer in need of those items. They had seen other floggings and crucifixions, this man Jesus, who they had nailed to the cross, was about to die.
The soldiers went about their business, hard-hearted to the agony of Christ, not realizing that their actions were fulfilling prophecy found in Psalm 22:16-18, "For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots."
God described the moment hundreds of years before it happened...amazing!
Even in the smallest details we can trust God's Word to be true.
So the question is not "Did Christ die on the cross?" The evidence for the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is overwhelming, if you take time to study the facts.
The real question is this - what does the death of Christ on the cross mean to you? What about His resurrection to life, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him?
He is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
Happy Easter!
In Lee Strobel's book, "The Case for Christ", the possibility that Jesus never died on the cross is discussed. This possibility is known as the "swoon" theory. The thought behind the theory is, "that Jesus only fainted from exhaustion on the cross, or He had been given a drug that made Him appear to die, and that He had later been revived by the cool, damp air of the tomb." The implication of this idea is that Christ's crucifixion wasn't much worse than being worn out from completing a triathlon. However, Strobel's book also shares a vivid description of a Roman flogging, and the act of crucifixion from the viewpoint of a medical doctor, who had studied history, archaeology and data concerning the death of Christ. Upon reading Alexander Metherell's explanation of the physical torture Christ endured prior to and during His crucifixion, we would be hard pressed to imagine anyone being revived by the "cool, damp air of the tomb".
The Roman soldiers dividing up His garments and casting lots for His tunic had no doubt that Jesus was no longer in need of those items. They had seen other floggings and crucifixions, this man Jesus, who they had nailed to the cross, was about to die.
The soldiers went about their business, hard-hearted to the agony of Christ, not realizing that their actions were fulfilling prophecy found in Psalm 22:16-18, "For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots."
God described the moment hundreds of years before it happened...amazing!
Even in the smallest details we can trust God's Word to be true.
So the question is not "Did Christ die on the cross?" The evidence for the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is overwhelming, if you take time to study the facts.
The real question is this - what does the death of Christ on the cross mean to you? What about His resurrection to life, and the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him?
He is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
Happy Easter!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Innocent?
John 19:13-24
Pilate caved in to the religious leaders and mob, releasing a murderer and turning over an innocent man; who was mocked...crowned with thorns...spit on...beaten...then sent to the Place of a Skull to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26-33) Before turning Jesus over, Pilate wanted to make one thing clear, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person." (Matthew 27:24) He told the crowd Jesus was innocent, that he "found no fault in Him". He was released from liability for the acts that would follow.
Or was he?
Pilate found himself in a position that many of us do when we try to please everyone. When we try to be politically correct at the cost of the truth. When we cave in and go along with everyone else, even when we know we are wrong.
In high school there was a sweet Christian girl in my English class. She seemed a little old-fashioned to most of us, but I can still remember that she had a nice smile and was kind to everyone. For several weeks her chair was empty, and when she did show up again something had changed. Her eyebrows were gone, her normally fair complexion was chalk white...and she was wearing a wig. A natural redhead with beautiful hair it was now styled in an artificial cut that mimicked something our mothers would've worn. It started with a few whispers, then some giggling, and soon everyone was laughing or commenting on the wig. It was cruel, and though I didn't laugh, I didn't do anything to stop what was happening. Innocent, right?
Or was I?
When Jesus was hung on the cross to die Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of The Jews". The chief priests are back at Pilate's door immediately, saying, "Do not write, "The King of the Jews", but, "He said "I am the King of the Jews". Surely Pilate will cave in again, right?
But he didn't. "What I have written, I have written.", he told them.
Not a politically correct answer for an ambitious man, but the truth.
The truth about Jesus, that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords...and forgives even those of us who cave in...
Pilate caved in to the religious leaders and mob, releasing a murderer and turning over an innocent man; who was mocked...crowned with thorns...spit on...beaten...then sent to the Place of a Skull to be crucified. (Matthew 27:26-33) Before turning Jesus over, Pilate wanted to make one thing clear, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person." (Matthew 27:24) He told the crowd Jesus was innocent, that he "found no fault in Him". He was released from liability for the acts that would follow.
Or was he?
Pilate found himself in a position that many of us do when we try to please everyone. When we try to be politically correct at the cost of the truth. When we cave in and go along with everyone else, even when we know we are wrong.
In high school there was a sweet Christian girl in my English class. She seemed a little old-fashioned to most of us, but I can still remember that she had a nice smile and was kind to everyone. For several weeks her chair was empty, and when she did show up again something had changed. Her eyebrows were gone, her normally fair complexion was chalk white...and she was wearing a wig. A natural redhead with beautiful hair it was now styled in an artificial cut that mimicked something our mothers would've worn. It started with a few whispers, then some giggling, and soon everyone was laughing or commenting on the wig. It was cruel, and though I didn't laugh, I didn't do anything to stop what was happening. Innocent, right?
Or was I?
When Jesus was hung on the cross to die Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross, "Jesus of Nazareth, The King of The Jews". The chief priests are back at Pilate's door immediately, saying, "Do not write, "The King of the Jews", but, "He said "I am the King of the Jews". Surely Pilate will cave in again, right?
But he didn't. "What I have written, I have written.", he told them.
Not a politically correct answer for an ambitious man, but the truth.
The truth about Jesus, that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords...and forgives even those of us who cave in...
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