Out of the myriad marvel of miracles, what did John stir in you as you read this book?
He is changing me to live this life I cannot live.
There's a quote at the end of the Book of John in 66 LL that so speaks to deep places in me. "Father, I'm like your Son's early disciples who believed what He said but as soon as He disappeared from sight, they went fishing (John 21:2-3). I want to live a life I'm good at, a life that lets me protect myself from avoidable pain and feel good in available pleasures. But You want me to live a life I can't live!" I hear the Savior say: Your strength indeed is small. There is Resurrection power for the mundane and for the miracles. The word "resurrection power" that Paul writes about means the strength you need to push through the daily grind and glory.
He changed the world.
John 21:25 "There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can't imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books." I'll walk those worn paths in Israel next week and think about who He changed.
He changed Nicodemus.
John 19:39 Nicodemus first came to Jesus at night but now he comes in broad daylight. We all walk in Light this day where there was once darkness. Bring Light, O God. Bring Resurrection Power for the mundane things we cannot master.
He changed Mary Magdalene.
John 20:15-16 Jesus spoke to her, "Woman, why do you weep at the tomb? Mary thought he was the gardener until He said her name. He is calling your name this day. Annette. Deborah. Michele. Sylvia. Mary Lou. Cici. Kim. Angie. Jan. Jen. Gay.
Open our eyes, our ears to see You today like you did for Mary Magdalene.
He changed Simon Peter.
Simon Peter went fishing---did he just pick up and leave and go do what he knew to do best? Simon couldn't catch a thing until Jesus showed up. Then he caught 153 big fish. John 21:10. Are you asking Him this day to show up big time for you and your husband and your children? Three times---once for each betrayal---Jesus asks Simon Peter: Do you love Me? And Jesus is changing Simon Peter into Peter. "One day, like you and me, when you get old, you'll have to stretch out your hands while someone else dresses you and takes you where you don't want to go."
He changed me.
John 21:22 - Doesn't matter what happens to anyone else. "You, follow Me." Not any other strong man. Not any other stable person. Not any successful ministry or leader. Not any achievement. Not the good life here and now. Just Follow Me.
As we conclude John, I'm so struck by the simplest of confessions--how much I need Jesus. This "real living" requires more than I can do. I'm still so full of me. Looking at the Perfect Man, the Perfect Life lived--it doesn't look like the comfortable life I think I want. Hard teachings, indeed--the word "hard" as pointed out by Dr. Crabb means not just difficult but "offensive." I still find myself wanting comfortable more than I want radical real living.
ReplyDelete"What I want for you is always out of your reach. That is why I had to send My Son and then My Spirit to bring real life within your reach. Know this: heaven's reality has invaded yours. Prepare to live a new way. Real life, the surprising route to joy, is within reach"--66LL
I'm ready for some dance lessons in Acts!
I come away with John's message revealing Christ as divine. He was so much more than fully human. He wept. He walked and grew weary. He was pressed on every side and went away by himself. He taught using simple, everyday things that anyone could relate to...wheat and tares...a lost coin..., but He also gave revelation to a deeper purpose
ReplyDeleteJesus Christ...divine
Oh, He changed me and is still changing me. Yesterday, another friend and I took a sweet Chinese lady to lunch...she does not fully understand conversational English...she is very smart and understands what she reads. God brought her to our SS class...He is the only answer for that. She came because she lives near our church and it's a big church and she wondered why so many people came and went every Sunday. She has come several weeks now..we have presented the Gospel in different ways and tried to explain the best we knew how to someone who has NO concept of heaven or hell or a Saviour who loved her enough to die for her. We met her for lunch to show her that we cared about her..we were not going to mention Jesus, the church, etc..just talk about family, job, etc and IF it got brought up we would....guess what Ladies...she brought it up...the next thing I knew Anne was giving her testimony and I gave mine in part and we both answered whatever questions she had. She wanted to know if all people were welcome in our church and we said of course. I said He didn't just come for white people, of black, even came for the Chinese and she smiled. She told us that she would see us on Sunday. Ladies, it was a divine appointment and we were five minutes late and I had asked Him, that since we were going to be late to please make her late....she had just gotten there before us..AND to put the icing on the cake when we got back to my house and shared with my husband(he is the teacher in the SS class), he then proceeded to tell us what God had shown him thru all of this. God answered some of my vocalized prayers and some of my unspoken prayers for him. How I praise His name. Sorry to be so long...just wanted to share how God is moving everywhere,even in the hearts of those who have NO clue He truly exists and why He exists...she is so lost and doesn't even really know that she is searching for the missing part of herself. Please pray for Li....(lee). I read Acts in 66 LL and wept for the church and how we have failed Him. And it is so apparent that I've wanted a comfortable life more than radical real living. My heart weeps for me and the church...Blessings on everyone's week end and day of worship tomorrow. You are in our prayers, sweet Bev for your birthday and your upcoming trip...
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