Let's Level Up - Listen To Me --- John 14:1-14 --- Fifth Week after Easter

 

John 14:1-14 NIV

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸ Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

⁹ Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. ¹¹ Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. ¹² Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. ¹³ And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

 

Let’s Level Up – Listen To Me

When we hear Jesus speak, listen. When we listen to His words, He helps us to see that He IS God. When we know Him as God we trust in Him. When we trust in Him, we witness how He is in God, AND, in us, SO THAT, we can trust those who believe in His forgiveness and salvation.

Huh? This permits us to turn some things over to fellow believers to handle IN the name of God, THROUGH, the Holy Spirit’s power to lead and guide us along this way in life. For it’s not about our actions that makes a person righteous. NO, it’s about Jesus action that has made us righteous. So, don’t get a big head!

I put all of my trust in You, Jesus. All of it. I can do no other. In this world, as You walk with me, and teach me, and forgive me, and save me, and lead me to eternal life in Your Kingdom, I put all of my trust in You alone.

Jesus, even as you were rejected by me, yes by humans; you were accepted by God. Draw me into yourself, that you may be in me and I in You. May ALL people come to believe in what you have done, to forgive, save, and make us One with You into eternity.

This passage of Scripture is in the Upper Room during the Last Supper. A time just before Jesus Passion. It’s a point in time, that directs the disciples, and us as well, to deal with Jesus’ reality, as One with the Father and the Spirit. It’s a point in time that deals with the urgency that we believe what Jesus has been teaching and telling us all along, throughout His ministry, of that day, and this day as well. It’s a time that goes directly to the question of our heart, our very center of being, our bowels, so to speak. Do you, or I or anyone else, believe that Jesus IS God?

So just where is this “House” Jesus speaks of? Well, that’s heaven. Jesus is going to pave the way for us sheep, AS, the Sacrificial Lamb, or Sheep Himself, as well, to lead us through the Valley of the Shadow of death to this “House,” this heaven. Remember last week? It’s only through Jesus, the gate, that we can go to this “House.” What a Savior!

This “House” is the reality of life. This place in which we live today, is only a temporary walk, as Jesus leads us to the “REAL” life that God has prepared for each of us, you place trust and hope in Him alone. We can’t trust in this world, or the rulers of this world, or the riches and powers of this world. That stuff won’t grant NEW and REAL life. Only the pathway that Jesus leads us on, will take us to NEW and REAL life.

Don’t forget, Jesus is speaking to His disciples, in this passage, in the Upper Room, at His Last Supper with them. And He is clearly telling them that He will clear the path to eternal life with Him, God, forever. But that path will NOT be easy!

Jesus’ WILL come again. Look at the words He speaks. Listen to His message. Jesus will suffer and die, rise again, and ascend into heaven. AND… He WILL come again. Jesus paves the way for us. This isn’t something we can do. We depend on Jesus!

I love Thomas. He speaks honestly, like some of us would. Thinking within the earthly realm in which he was most familiar with, Thomas wants to know, how this walk occurs. What’s the direction? Where are You going, Jesus? How do I get there? You say I know, but I’m confused.  I thank Thomas for raising such questions, in me. Why? Because Jesus answers those questions. And in Jesus answer, sometimes it takes me a life-time to figure out what He tells me. But guess what? I’m okay with that.

And Jesus comes back in reply with that whole “Gate, Sheep, Shepherd” idea. It’s through Him and Him alone, that we follow, that leads us behind Him and through Him to this “House,” this “Home,” this heaven.

We can’t get to the Father in Heaven on our own. Only through that Gate, this Jesus.

And guess what? All along, as Jesus lives with us, teaches us; He has been revealing to us, that He and the Father are One. This is Trinity stuff here! Right before the eyes and ears of the disciples, and through this passage of Scripture, to us this very day, Jesus plainly reveals that He IS the Messiah, He IS God, He is One with the Father and the Spirit, now and forever. Hard stuff to grasp. But give up on yourself, and believe what Jesus says! If you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father, you have seen the Holy Spirit.

And next Philip enters into the conversation with Jesus. Don’t be so high and mighty, that you fail to relate to Philip. He wants a little proof. He seeks to see the Father, and verification to what Jesus is saying. At least that’s what seems to me to be what’s going on. And, I can relate. Well not only me but others in history. Look at what Moses wanted in years past…

Exodus 33:18-23 NIV

¹⁸ Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

¹⁹ And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. ²⁰ But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

²¹ Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. ²² When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³ Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

It’s one thing to want proof, as is common for myself. But I’m humbled when I stand in the presence of God and seek proof. Who do I think I am? Forgive me, Lord!

But, all the same, Jesus answers Philip and me too, as I read this passage. It’s like, “Come on, Billy!” I’ve been here all along. Open your eyes. Think a little. If I tell you, I and the Father are One, why do you doubt? See how Jesus has taught, led, protected, and gone ahead all life long? Believe!

Jesus comes to us from heaven. Jesus comes to us through the power of the Father and the Holy Spirit. It’s all laid out for you to see, for you to witness, and most importantly, for you to receive the faith, freely given, to believe in God.

And if you struggle in believing Jesus’ words, then look to His actions in this world, AND believe it!

And here comes Jesus back with this “truly, truly…” It’s like amen, amen! Not like the phony Facebook “amen,” but the emphatic and honestly truthful “amen” from Jesus Himself… Yes! It shall be so!

Jesus works become our works, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, when we receive God’s gift of faith and believe that Jesus IS God. Even as Jesus is preparing to die, rise and ascend into heaven; through a disciple’s belief in what God has done, so too, through the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s work will continue to be done. God’s work of spreading His Gospel of love, forgiveness, and salvation to all the world, and to all those God gives to us each and every day.

As Jesus tells us here, as believers, we will do God’s works. We won’t do our own works, rather, we will do the works of God. And in these works, all glory and honor go to God. Glory and honor are not something we can attain by the works we do. Glory and honor go to God and God alone. So, if you think that by doing something or another, elevates your own status with God, you are sadly mistaken. It’s not about your works, it’s all about God working in you. As we have seen Jesus, along with the disciples, it becomes obvious that we are seeing God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

So, get over yourself and get busy, as a believer, God will give you fruit to bear. Bear it abundantly to the honor and glory of the God who made you, and showed Himself to you, that you may be with Him, forever into eternity.

What do I make of all this? First, I love how Jesus relates and teaches me. I love how He asks questions that make me think. Questions that lead me away from myself, from what I do, from what I say, to believe that He truly IS God.

God took all the work out of my hands and placed it all in His hands. As God came into this world in the flesh and blood of Jesus; God took it upon Himself, to fulfill all the Law for me. So, what is left to do?

Well, that part God took care of as well. Believe! Bear the fruit which God gives you to bear. I don’t think that you get to pick and choose the fruits of the Spirit that you think you would like. It’s not like that. You will bear the fruit that God has chosen for you to bear. So, go with the flow. Give all the thanks and glory to God for anything you happen to do that displays the goodness, the richness, and the delight, of the love of God and neighbor in this world in which you live. Your fruit IS God’s fruit, not something you conjure up on your own. Your fruit of the Spirit… is like it says… fruit of the Spirit, assigned to you for you to give up. Don’t let that fruit drop to the ground and die. Let the fruit die to yourself and live.

So how? As we go through life, like Jesus, come to all those God gives to you day after day, for you to freely give yourself in the love of God in Christ Jesus. Wow! That sounds so “churchy,” so self-righteous. But, it’s not. Salvation is the work of God, not your work. God works in and through you to do His Will in His Way. You aren’t the Savior, so give that up and live in the joy, that you are chosen by God, to live with Him forever, doing what He calls you to do… Love your God with all your heart, mind and spirit… And love your neighbor, not only in word, but in action as well… today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be to God!

I leave you with this YouTube Music Video that I used this past week to listen to for this reflection… Enjoy…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODaeS38QLps&list=RDODaeS38QLps&start_radio=1

The Sheep of The Manger - John 10:1-10 - Fourth Week of Easter (Good Shepherd)

 

John 10:1-10 NIV

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The Sheep of The Manger

Lord, you have tended us and cared for us. May we always continue to come together to feed off of You and to hear Your Voice spoken in Word and Sacrament.

When you lead me outside, into the dangers of this world, you have a way of calling. You have a way of making Your voice known and obvious. When I listen to You; You provide safety. But it’s when I begin to listen to my own voice, or the voices of this world that I get lost. Call me back to hear Your voice. In that, is safety and comfort and joy, even in the dangers of this world.

Remember this? “Return to the Lord your God, for He is patient and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.” I remember singing this in church. Well, it comes from Joel 2:13

Rend your heart
    and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
    and he relents from sending calamity.

When I’m lost in this world, to the evil it holds, or lost in myself; may I hear the voice of Jesus calling, knowing that He loves me enough to carry me through any and all of my sin, back into His arms, and into His care. That phrase “Rend your heart,” reminds me of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Sometimes I feel my heart torn wide open in the presence of Jesus, as He faithfully pours His Word and Grace and Salvation right into the center, or the bowels of my very being. So, yea, sure, my heart burns within me as Jesus opens His Word to me, day after day after day.

Jesus starts out this passage with Truth. In this case it is repeated twice, giving a surety to what He says is truthful. Some may think of this saying as Amen… Amen… In this it also brings a declaration of “Yes! It shall be so!”

So, what’s a sheepfold. In the day and time of Jesus a sheepfold would possibly be like a stone wall which encloses a pasture or area that the sheep would be gathered together. To get into this sheepfold, you would enter by the gate. Anyone who would climb the wall or sneak in another way, would most probably be up to something nefarious.

The person entering by the gate would most likely be the shepherd of the sheep. This would be the caretaker. It all seems so obvious, on the surface of it all, but beneath the obvious, Jesus is bringing us a deep truth.

When God the Father sent Jesus into this world in our flesh, He opened the gate for all human-kind to be brought into union with His Son. How great is that? And as we walk forth, even now, in this wicked world, we can listen to the voice of Jesus. Jesus knows us and calls us by name to be with Him. May we all hear His voice, and follow in His way, to do His will, as we love God and all those God gives to us as we follow Jesus.

What’s so nice about following Jesus, is that He knows us and calls us and leads us and guides us through the dangers of life. Yes, Jesus goes before us and takes care of us, especially when we are outside of the sheepfold and in danger of the evils of this world.

Can you recognize the voice of Jesus? Or how about, recognize the voice of an imposter? Sometimes, if I hear someone declaring that they are the voice of God, or that they know way too much about God, or Jesus, or whatever… I get suspicious. It’s like, that didn’t sound honest, or truthful, or maybe even legitimate. There’s something to listening to another person like this that seems to get in the way a bit. And, yea, I get suspicious.

But, when I hear the Word or the Voice of Jesus, it’s easy to hear, it’s easy to take in. I may not understand what I’m hearing, but it rings in Truth and Honesty. The Word of Jesus doesn’t seem to be a manipulation of some emotion, or way of thinking that is attempting to persuade me into a concept of untruth. When I hear the Voice of Jesus, compared to some cry of evil, it’s easy to pick out. I think, maybe, that’s what Jesus is telling us, sheep, in this passage. When we hear His voice, compared to the voice of a thief attempting to draw us away from God; we are led to follow the voice and call of Jesus.

So, how do you figure this out if you still question the truth of it all? That’s where God has left to us Scripture, one another, and prayer to turn to. Seek it out and most of the time, I’ve found out that what I was seeking, was always there with me in Jesus, or the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

And like the Pharisees in this passage, if I still don’t get it, if I still can’t hear God’s voice; I’m probably the one that is in the way of hearing. I need to pause and open my heart, yea, rend my heart wide open, SO THAT, God can pour into the center of my being, His Voice and His Word. Not that I will get it all, I know I won’t, but that I will hear and follow His call and walk beside and behind Him in my daily living.

So, now Jesus attempts to make His point in another fashion, declaring He is the gate. Jesus is the gate that opens us to safety in spirit. He opens the gate and we enter into His salvation. Only Jesus can open this gate. And how?

It’s through what Jesus did for us. He came in flesh and blood to be like us, to know what it is to be human, and He gave His life to save us from our own humanity of sin. Yea, He became sin for us, He opened the gate for us, SO THAT, we may live with God in His Kingdom.

As Paul so eloquently states…

2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

²¹ God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Jesus is the gate. Opening us up, through what He did, to become righteous with God.

So, listen to the voice of Jesus. He is the Gate. Others will come and go and claim to be the Savior… well… plain and simple… they are NOT! Hear the voice of Jesus and Jesus alone, don’t listen to the imposters who claim to be saviors.

And ANYONE who enters through the Gate, that is Jesus, will be saved. See that? Anyone!

It’s Jesus that protects us, feeds us, leads us and guides us in life. And this is life to the full.

So, what do we make of all this talk of sheep, gates, sheepfolds and stuff? I can’t help but to think of how often these visions of sheep unfold in Scripture. But here is one that pops out, at least in my mind.

When Jesus came into this world in flesh and blood, as a baby, remember the shepherds? Well, these guys were in an area around Bethlehem, where it would not be so uncommon for the sheep to be raised to become sacrificial lambs for the temple of that day. These guys would be caretakers of sacrifices in a way.

And remember how they were called away to go to Bethlehem to see Jesus?

As they witnessed Jesus, were they perhaps witnessing God’s Sacrificial Lamb? Was the small opening into the manger in which Jesus was born that morning, perhaps a NEW kind of sheepgate? Perhaps these guys were looking into the eternity of that Gate that would soon become the way of Salvation for all mankind.

And yet still, in this mode of thinking, perhaps they were also seeing not only the Sheep, but the Shepherd and the Gate, all in one place, at one point in this time in eternity.

I know this is a stretch of the imagination, but let your mind wander a bit with me. I think these shepherd guys have a much deeper story for us to witness, than just a few guys who heard angels singing and announcing the birth of God in flesh. Not that that alone is way beyond all we could ever imagine happening to any one of us.

And as these shepherds peek in on Jesus, the Messiah, possibly they also witness a future Shepherd that will lead another flock of sheep believers towards a different kind of death. Not only would this baby boy Messiah be the Sacrificial Sheep, the Gate and the Messiah, but He would also be the One to care for and tend to the sheep of all believers in what God has done.

For we follow a Sheep and a Shepherd, through a Gate that in Him and in us, leads to death. Death to sin that overcomes the eternal death of this world, and leading His flock to the eternal life with Him in His Kingdom in eternity.

Down that dangerous road, outside of the sheepfold, will be the Valley of Death. But on the other side of that Valley of Death, our baby Sheep, our Gate, our Shepherd, will lead ALL believers to a safe place, a safe pasture, a heaven of rest and life in a perfect place.

Yet, the journey will not be easy. Just look at the journey that this baby Boy, this Sheep, this Shepherd, this Gate to eternal life, had to walk, FOR, you and me.

Having thought about all of this, how could I NOT help but to fall down on my knees, as those shepherds that heard the angels sing, did all those years ago and give unending thanks and praise to MY, YOUR, OUR, Sheep, Shepherd, and Gate to heaven… today… tomorrow… and forever. Thanks be to God, Sheep, Shepherd and Gate to eternity!

So, listen, hear His voice. Point to Jesus. Trust His will and His way in your life, as He leads, forgives, saves and offers His all to this world, and His sheep. You are His. And that’s a bunch of joy for sure. Joy to the World… the Lord has come!

I can’t help myself but to leave you with this YouTube Music Video…

“Joy to the World”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQl-KzTtIZ0&list=RDvQl-KzTtIZ0&start_radio=1

 

From Despair to Understanding - Luke 24:13-35 - Third Week of Easter

 

Luke 24:13-35 NIV

³ Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. ¹⁵ As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; ¹⁶ but they were kept from recognizing him.

¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”

They stood still, their faces downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”

¹⁹ “What things?” he asked.

“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”

²⁵ He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” ²⁷ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

²⁸ As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. ²⁹ But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.

³⁰ When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. ³² They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

³³ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together ³⁴ and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” ³⁵ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

From Despair to Understanding

Once you overcome your doubt in the facts and evidence of the resurrection of Jesus, repent, turn to God and come together. Jesus really meant it when He forgave people from that cross. So, let that doubt drop. Let that doubt go, because God has a New Life in store for you beyond anything you could ever comprehend or believe on your own. God WANTS you to be His, now and forever.

Save me, Lord Jesus! I need you to walk with me each and every day of my life. Save me!

Jesus, chosen before the beginning of the world, has come. Jesus has come to us and saved us. Jesus came physically and saved spiritually. Live life in this glory knowing that all has already been completed. You are forgiven; the work of God gives you new life to live with Him forever. Now, believe and be obedient to God’s will and God’s way in your life as you live it out in this physical realm, ready to join Him in the eternal realm spiritually and eventually physically once again. All in what God has done, not by any of your works at all.

On Easter Sunday, a couple of Jesus’ disciples, outside of the 12 Disciples, were on the road to Emmaus. The exact location of this town is a little up in the air, but it was probably northwest of Jerusalem about seven miles away.

In some ways, this walk is not about physical distance or direction. This walk turns into a gift of faith to some disciples, sort of like you and me, in our walks of life. Once again, as they walk, and as we walk in our own lives; Jesus comes to us, sometimes it seems, out of nowhere.

We stumble through life confused and without much direction. We stumble in fear and anguish about the happenings of the day. We stumble through life, yet, Jesus comes to us in our doubts, our confusion, and our fear.

Jesus recognizes our state of fear and confusion and He understands. How? He knows first hand what it’s like to be human. So, Jesus comes to us to lead us from all of this to faith in Him, and the forgiveness He freely gives, so that, we may live with Him in His Kingdom forever, as we come to believe in all that He has done.

When I walk with someone, we talk to each other. We walk and talk about life. So, these disciples were walking and talking as well. They were talking about current events. They were talking about the very, current events of that day. They were talking about what had happened to Jesus just the past few days, and they were talking about witness accounts of other disciples on that Sunday.

It’s important, as disciples, that we talk to one another. It’s important, as disciples, that we come together and discuss the events of the day, and the events of our faith. That’s why going to church is so vital. It’s important to witness to one another in faith, and it’s important to come to church and witness God coming to you.

How’s that? We come together in union with God and one another, and God comes to us in Word and Sacrament. That’s a big deal! That’s a big reason to go to church. That’s a big reason, why we should gather physically in one place. The internet, YouTube and such things are one thing, but they DO NOT replace our gathering together, physically in one place. Don’t take that lightly! We walk with one another by faith in the Light of Jesus.

As we walk together, guess who shows up? Jesus! Jesus always comes to us. He came down from heaven to us, and He comes to us as we stumble along in our individual and corporate life paths. Jesus comes to us and gives us faith and proof that God wants us to be His own.

And you know what? Sometimes we just don’t see Him, we just don’t get Him, we just remain confused and dazed by what this world is doing to us and through us. Sometimes we’re just blind and deaf to Jesus.

And as Jesus comes to us, so come the questions that help us to open our eyes to His presence. Jesus is a wonderful teacher. He draws you in and makes His presence clear. But first, we have to think about it.

And Jesus cares about what is going on. He wants to join in on the conversation in a compassionate way. It’s funny though, I can understand Cleopas; how could Jesus not have heard what was going on today? But that’s not the point of Jesus’ question and His joining in on the conversation.

At first glance when I read the question of Jesus, “What things?”, it causes me to think, really? But Jesus has all along in His ministry of teaching brought people to deeper spiritual meanings through questions. It’s like God wants to hear from us, so that we will internalize the Gospel and bring Himself into our lives. So, I kind of love the question. I love how it makes you recite what has happened, and I love even more how Jesus teaches.

Now as these disciples verbally express what has happened these past few days, they are drawn in to see how God is active, even in and through the sinful action of men, to unfold His redemptive power beyond sin and death. When I see my sin, out in front of me, the stinking sin of my life, I come to realize that I need a Savior. And to think here, on this road, with these disciples, not only do they profess the sin of man during the crucifixion, they see Jesus and the Gospel before their eyes as well. But they don’t quite understand… not quite yet.

And in this they acknowledge the hope they have in what God has done, as they tell of what the women had testified to about an empty tomb, on the third day. I wonder if Jesus was thinking, sure, go on… go on… tell the story! Witness to all the world what God has done through Me!

And then, Jesus teaches and challenges. Do you believe? Do you dare to believe? See here what has been told all along, from the beginning, through the prophets in your Bible, to this very day. Take a look. Look and see here!

Jesus had to suffer to fulfill the prophecy of ages past. And yet after this suffering, he rose again, to ascend back into heaven, having completed the salvation for all believers, who are forgiven through and by His actions of love and compassion, all thought out before creation. That’s a tough thing to grasp. Ponder that with a thankful heart.

And yet, believers too, will share in this suffering of Jesus. We will not only share in the suffering; we will also share in the resurrection. That there IS great HOPE!

And then Jesus teaches. Oh, how I wish I could have been there. Jesus teaches everything about Himself throughout all Scripture. But, yet again, I am also there as well. All of Scripture, God’s Word has been left for believers, even this day to see, to read, to ponder, to feed from.

Listen! Open your Bibles folks! Read! You will meet God. Go to church! Listen to the spoken Word from the Pastor or Priest. Sit in Sunday School! Talk about this Word of God, with and to and through fellow believers. Share your testimonies with one another about how God comes to you, saves you, forgives you, calls you, and the actions that God has developed in you to praise and honor Him in your daily living. Be obedient to God and give Him all thanks and praise.

Yes, even today, Jesus is explaining to you, all that the Scriptures say about Himself.

As we follow Jesus, pointing to Him all of our lives; we see how He is going further down the road, and yet, He is willing to pause with us to be with us, to love us and teach us, and to forgive our sinfulness, so that He IS WITH us, always.

And when we beg Him to stay? He comes with us. That’s so comforting!

Jesus pauses to break bread with us, and to show Himself to us, both in person, one-on-one, and in the fellowship of all believers. Jesus takes time out. Wow! The Savior from before the world began, pauses to be with us individually and together. How can that be?

Like the Artemis astronaut looking back on earth, we must pause and give thanks to a God that would come to us, a tiny dot in space, to a small group of disciples, to a unique person created by God, to spend time with us in food and conversation together. Amazing! 

And as soon as we recognize Jesus among us… He’s gone! Going ahead of us to prepare something even more amazing. What love is this? As soon as this physical Jesus helps us to realize our own unique spiritual awakening, He goes. Yes, He goes ahead in full knowledge that there will be more. That the Holy Spirit will come to lead and guide us in this earthly, physical realm to, see Jesus again.

If that doesn’t dig into your heart, nothing else will. Talking about hearts burning within believers. This resurrection was real and is NOW.

So, GO! Go and tell your fellow disciples how Jesus comes to you. Go and listen to your fellow disciples tell how they have met Jesus! Talk it over. Amaze over Jesus coming to you, right now. Don’t wait for Sunday… do this every day of the week.

And don’t stop there. Be bold to confess your belief in Jesus, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. Spread the Gospel of God’s love for all of His people. For sure, tell your family and friends, but go on a step further when you have a chance to tell people outside of your daily circle. Speak, write, pray, and show your love and compassion for all those around you in need of any kind. This is Jesus actions. God calls you to bear fruit. You may not know what fruit you are called to bear, that doesn’t matter, the fruit will grow because of God’s action, not yours anyway. And when you bear fruit, it may just be, like an olive; for that fruit to be of use, you may be crushed and ground and milled so fine that rich olive oil will be used to the glory of God. Like a grape, God may have you tread upon and squeezed in such a way that wine is produced. All of this, you can expect. But guess what? In all of that, you will be obedient to the call of God to go forth and spread the Gospel far and wide for all people to hear. And that’s just fine, with me.

When you open the Word, pay attention. When you hear the Word spoken from the priest or pastor, pay attention. When Jesus breaks bread with you, pay attention. When Jesus comes to you, pay attention, open your eyes and hear how God came to save the world through His very own Son, in a plan that existed even before creation. God knows you and me, intimately and loves us still.

Thanks be to God, that He comes to us, walks with us, dines with us, and draws us from despair to understanding… today… tomorrow… and forever.

I invite you to enjoy this YouTube Music Video that spoke to my this past week…

“Jesus Walked With Me”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj9TAG7b2wg&list=RDGj9TAG7b2wg&start_radio=1

Do You Dare Believe? - John 20:19-31 - Second Week after Easter

 John 20:19-31 NIV

¹⁹ On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” ²² And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

²⁴ Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

²⁸ Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

 

 

Do You Dare Believe?

Are you convinced enough to believe the resurrection story? Are you willing to suffer for belief in the truth of the resurrection story? Are you willing to go beyond the story of it all and declare the truth of the resurrection? Think deep and hard about that. Look at the proof before your eyes. Hear the words of generations of witnesses before you. Make up your mind! True belief in the resurrection of Jesus will cost you your life. One way or another, if you believe, you will die.

Last week I heard one of the astronauts in space, as they were looking back at the earth and travelling to circle the moon, speak about how, even with the distance from the earth, he felt a unity with creation. That’s my huge paraphrase of what I thought I heard. Anyway, it made me think of how God created this universe and gave each of us a home to dwell in. God gives us all we need to live. Everything we need to live in His creation and with Him in His Kingdom, forever. And with that in mind, just a week after we celebrated the resurrection from the dead, of Jesus; how can I NOT praise God for all He has done?

Yea, well, I’ve not seen Jesus in the flesh and blood of which He came into this world thousands of years ago, however, I love Him. I’ve seen and read and heard so much about Jesus that I can’t help but to know Him, and believe that what He did is the real deal. Doesn’t make sense, does it? But, for me, I’ve got more than enough proof to last my lifetime; to know that what God has done in and through Jesus is real.

The disciples had good reason to be afraid. The disciples had not only run in the face of Jesus persecution, suffering and death; they were also targets of elimination just as Jesus was killed. Would they believe the women that they had seen Jesus? Would they go that far? Humanly I think we all can understand the fear. Life was going to change in profound ways for all of the disciples… one way or another.

Yet, as they gathered together, it’s like the first Sunday evening service of the church in some way. They gathered with much in common. They gathered in fear, probably doubt, and most likely confusion for what the future may hold. But they gathered, like a Sunday evening church gathering today.

And Jesus graces these disciples with His miraculous presence. Jesus shows Himself, without a doubt, to the disciples as risen from the dead. It’s amazing how Jesus came to them through a locked door. Did this mean that at some moment in time, Jesus had melded together the physical and the spiritual realms of being? Was Jesus, at some time, like one with the wood of the door? Was Jesus like bread and wine together with body and blood, all one. Was this a time of physical and spiritual presence all wrapped into one? Maybe… perhaps… but the fact is… here is Jesus… alive and risen from the dead, for all His disciples hiding behind a closed door to see. Jesus, right there in flesh and blood for all to see.

And the disciples were happy! Remembering what Jesus had told them earlier…

John 16:22 NIV

²² So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

 

Talk about happy. What a change in emotion. From great fear to great joy. What a relief!

 

The resurrection is without a doubt the real deal. This is Jesus THE Messiah. And not only some made up story, some exaggeration, some trick of the mind; there right in front of their eyes, in flesh and blood, is Jesus. You can see Him, you can touch Him. This IS real!

 

And Jesus brings them peace. But there seems to be a twist in this peace. We now know that Jesus IS the Messiah, sent by the Father, but… but… what’s that He said again?

 

What’s this business about being sent, sort of like He was sent into the world? What does this mean?

 

Yet, first, Jesus breathes the breath of God upon the disciples. That breath of life. The Holy Spirit is given to his disciples. What does this mean?

 

Did the disciples recall some past prophetic teachings?

 

Joel 2:28-29 NIV

²⁸ “And afterward,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your old men will dream dreams,
    your young men will see visions.
²⁹ Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

 

Is this that Spirit? Is this the prophecy fulfilled today?

 

Are we the sons and daughters, sent out?

 

Perhaps this is the day of a New Creation Story?

 

We heard Jesus forgive those people who had killed Him from the cross. So, what’s this stuff about us forgiving people? Boy oh boy, this just may be a really tall order to be obedient to uphold. How can we forgive these people?

 

And to think, that now Jesus gives us the authority to forgive! What’s that about?

 

Is forgiveness part of this Gospel lesson that Jesus has proclaimed to all the world. Even to those who killed Him?

 

So many questions. Joy, filled with questions and concerns of just what God has gotten us into abound for Jesus’ disciples. Even for us this present day and time!

Thomas wasn’t there with his disciple friends on the evening when Jesus appeared to them. Thomas wasn’t there to see Jesus alive and risen from the dead that Sunday evening. And neither was I. We give Thomas a bad rap when we declare him to be a doubting man, at least in my opinion. After all this same Thomas was the one willing to die with, and for, Jesus. Remember? Just a couple of weeks ago, when we were looking at Jesus raising Lazarus, when Jesus had just almost been killed by the people of Jerusalem, and now Jesus was ready to go back, just a couple of miles away from Jerusalem, to Lazarus’s home. Thomas was bold enough to want to go with Jesus and declare to his fellow disciples…

John 11:16 NIV

¹⁶ Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

 

I think we tend to forget this passion that Thomas had for Jesus.

 

Well Thomas hears the testimony of his fellow disciples about how they have seen Jesus! He is risen! But Thomas wants this experience for himself. Thomas wants the evidence to see and believe. Are we that different? I don’t think so. We want the DNA before we can believe. Yet, how’s that going to work?

 

So, as we listen to fellow disciples of this day testify to Jesus’ resurrection; is it that far of a stretch to not understand how others want a little proof as well, before they believe? Where are the wounds? Where are the scars? Show me some proof! Show me the DNA. Help me believe that what you say is true!

On the next Sunday, after Jesus’ resurrection, He shows up again. The disciples are still hiding in fear of all that may be happening to anyone who believes that Jesus has risen. And Jesus does it again; He moves through the physical realm of a locked door to the spiritual realm of coming to the disciples. And He comes in, to offer peace.

Doesn’t this cause you to think of worship gatherings on Sunday? Jesus comes to us in Word and Sacrament and offers His peace. Sure, we gather together, but Jesus comes to us. How great is that? Seems like God has been coming to His people all along. Do we notice this, or are we too busy being entertained by coffee, music and inspirational speeches?

And next, Jesus offers Thomas to touch Him. It’s a physical thing. Jesus comes to Thomas in his physical world and seeks Thomas’ touch of Jesus’ physical body.

Sunday, as we gather, Jesus comes to us physically as well. We can touch the Bread and the Wine; we can smell, touch and taste both elements. It’s a physical earthly element that is as real as real can be, yet it gives us a deeply spiritual touch from God as well.

Even in the physical waters of Baptism, that water is real stuff, yet with God’s Word and promise He gives us something deeply spiritual in His Spirit. The water and word combine to new life in God as He claims us as His own forever.

So, it’s really cool that Thomas is given the opportunity to touch and feel the wounds of Jesus.

And now Thomas knows that the resurrection is for real! He has seen God and touched Him and worships Him in no doubt whatsoever.

How I so look to today to sing, along with all the Host of Heaven and praise God as One…

Revelation 4:11 NIV

¹¹ “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they were created
    and have their being.”

 

And that’s not a future song… No! It’s a song for today… Like right here and right now… Go ahead and sing!

Some disciples have the opportunity to believe based on sight. Like the disciples at the time of Jesus presence with them in this passage of Scripture. But there are other of us disciples that come to believe through the trust of the accounts of witnesses. Or even the trust in what has been heard throughout time about Jesus’ resurrection. Both are legitimate paths to come to believe in Jesus’ resurrection. Both a legitimate and should not be in doubt. In either case, physical sight, or spiritual trust, as disciples, we can expect scrutiny from this world. Expect it, but don’t let that scrutiny deny your true belief in what God has done. For we live by faith. Go back in your devotional time and take a look at Hebrews chapter 11. All through time God’s people have been given the gift of faith in God, and it’s through this gift of faith that we come to believe in all the God has done to gather us back to Him through Him.

In this faith we have been given, we are fortunate to have written accounts of what God has done through Jesus, even after His resurrection from the dead, and beyond, to even today. All actions of God that lead us into communion with Him and one another into eternity. That’s so great! My puny words fail to express how great that is…

And why did all of these witnesses testify to Jesus’ life? So that we may believe! So that we may have life in Jesus’ name. Wow!

So, how could you NOT dare to believe?

As an astronaut looks back on the earth from miles away, in the deep depth of space, he sees a world. A world from which he has been separated, yet he feels a communion. A communion with the earth, with people, with God and with the universe. He sees and believes in a unity with mankind. And to think, all this we see, all this the astronaut can observe, are physical. Yet the feelings he has is spiritual. Pause and consider that all of this is NOT the finality of it all. Jesus WILL come again, to raise to NEW LIFE all those who believe, to be with Him forever and ever in a NEW, perfect creation, without the stain of my sin, to live with Him and all believers forever and ever. How can this be? Only through God. Only through God’s forgiveness, grace, and love, which He freely gives to all who accept the gift of faith and believe in Him… today… tomorrow… and forever.

How could you NOT dare to believe?

Thanks be to God!

I leave you with this YouTube Music Video. I must admit… this one got to me… enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzT26YVEr24&list=RDQzT26YVEr24&start_radio=1