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...
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Something Good Out of the Bad Stuff
John 9:1-3
Jesus passed by a man, blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" The disciples are asking this question because it was taught that a person with a physical ailment from birth had parents or grandparents who had committed sins that caused the ailment.
Imagine, for a moment, the burden in that belief. When our children were born I remember waiting anxiously as they were checked to see if there were any physical problems that required medical attention. What relief we felt when they were declared healthy. The parents of the blind man wouldn't have known that relief. They would instead have a burden of guilt they carried, wondering what sin they had committed that resulted in the loss of thier baby's sight.
Jesus tells his disciples that, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
The man's blindness wasn't caused by his parents, or himself. I don't believe Jesus is saying they had never sinned because Romans 3:23 tells us, "... all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." What He is telling His disciples is this - their sin was not the cause of the blindness. And somehow, in that blindness, the work of God was going to be displayed in his life.
If we skip a few pages to John chapter 11 we read the story of Jesus' friend Lazarus, who becomes gravely ill. When Jesus received word of this illness, He responds, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Lazarus did die, and was placed in the tomb, but that wasn't the end. Jesus raised Lazarus up to live again, and many that were there and saw what Jesus did put thier faith in Him. The illness and death of Lazarus had a greater purpose. The work of God was about to be displayed in the blind man's life also.
There are times when trials come to our life as the consequences of our sinful actions. Sometimes, though, hard things happen for no apparent reason. We see from the Scripture we've looked at that these may be opportunities for the work of God to be displayed in our lives, and used to bring others to believe in Him.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Jesus passed by a man, blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" The disciples are asking this question because it was taught that a person with a physical ailment from birth had parents or grandparents who had committed sins that caused the ailment.
Imagine, for a moment, the burden in that belief. When our children were born I remember waiting anxiously as they were checked to see if there were any physical problems that required medical attention. What relief we felt when they were declared healthy. The parents of the blind man wouldn't have known that relief. They would instead have a burden of guilt they carried, wondering what sin they had committed that resulted in the loss of thier baby's sight.
Jesus tells his disciples that, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
The man's blindness wasn't caused by his parents, or himself. I don't believe Jesus is saying they had never sinned because Romans 3:23 tells us, "... all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." What He is telling His disciples is this - their sin was not the cause of the blindness. And somehow, in that blindness, the work of God was going to be displayed in his life.
If we skip a few pages to John chapter 11 we read the story of Jesus' friend Lazarus, who becomes gravely ill. When Jesus received word of this illness, He responds, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." Lazarus did die, and was placed in the tomb, but that wasn't the end. Jesus raised Lazarus up to live again, and many that were there and saw what Jesus did put thier faith in Him. The illness and death of Lazarus had a greater purpose. The work of God was about to be displayed in the blind man's life also.
There are times when trials come to our life as the consequences of our sinful actions. Sometimes, though, hard things happen for no apparent reason. We see from the Scripture we've looked at that these may be opportunities for the work of God to be displayed in our lives, and used to bring others to believe in Him.
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Monday, December 5, 2011
Plans and Purpose
John 6:25-29
Don't we all want to know the reason for our existence? Why we are here, and what we are supposed to be doing while we're here? So we set out on a search for something to give our lives validity; a great career, fame, fortune, fulfilling relationships. Any of these will give us something to do - a goal to reach, will fill our time and maybe our scrapbook. Some might even give us a line or two in a Google search!
Does God have plans for us? Psalm 40:5 says, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare." Yes, He is involved and interested in our life plans.
The crowd that Jesus fed is surprised to find Him across the lake the next day. He knows thier motive for seeking Him out; they were there because He fed them. So He tells them not to, "... work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." So they ask Jesus what action was needed on their part, "... to do the works God requires?"
What does God require of us? We know He has plans, ..."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11), but how do we know what those plans are - what do they look like in our lives?
"...The work of God is this;" Jesus answered the crowd, "to believe in the One He has sent." God's plan for us is to believe in His Son Jesus, "the One He has sent." In Christ we find our purpose, the plan God has for us. Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10).
We have a reason for being here. God has a plan for our lives. Our existence has meaning and purpose. The Creator of the Universe is interested in you, personally, and what action does He require on your part?
To believe in the One He has sent - Jesus.
Don't we all want to know the reason for our existence? Why we are here, and what we are supposed to be doing while we're here? So we set out on a search for something to give our lives validity; a great career, fame, fortune, fulfilling relationships. Any of these will give us something to do - a goal to reach, will fill our time and maybe our scrapbook. Some might even give us a line or two in a Google search!
Does God have plans for us? Psalm 40:5 says, "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare." Yes, He is involved and interested in our life plans.
The crowd that Jesus fed is surprised to find Him across the lake the next day. He knows thier motive for seeking Him out; they were there because He fed them. So He tells them not to, "... work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you." So they ask Jesus what action was needed on their part, "... to do the works God requires?"
What does God require of us? We know He has plans, ..."For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11), but how do we know what those plans are - what do they look like in our lives?
"...The work of God is this;" Jesus answered the crowd, "to believe in the One He has sent." God's plan for us is to believe in His Son Jesus, "the One He has sent." In Christ we find our purpose, the plan God has for us. Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10).
We have a reason for being here. God has a plan for our lives. Our existence has meaning and purpose. The Creator of the Universe is interested in you, personally, and what action does He require on your part?
To believe in the One He has sent - Jesus.
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