John, after asserting that the heavens and earth couldn’t contain all that there is to say about Jesus, wraps up his gospel with deep, personal pictures of restoration. We see Mary meeting Jesus at the tomb after she has been weeping, Thomas meeting Jesus after he has been doubting, and Peter meeting Jesus after he […]
We have much to celebrate! Jesus meets us at the time and place of our greatest need and gives us our greatest gift — Himself. Then, having filled us with His peace and power, He sends us out with His purpose. This morning, see who Jesus is, what He does….and how we are changed!!
The Bible clearly teaches the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. The tomb is empty — and Jesus is alive. As Christians, we know that. We believe it. And, in our darkest moments of fear and loneliness….it doesn’t seem like enough. In those times, we need more than bare facts. We need the reality of the person […]
What was it like for the disciples as they took Jesus’ body down from the cross, buried it, and then went home? What was going through their minds that long weekend as they huddled together in fear? While we know “more of the story” than they did — we often live in fear during times […]
It is in our nature to fight and kick against the very things we need from God. We done it through history — we do it still. In this morning’s time in the Word, consider the story of our rebellion and our running….and hear the invitation to finally rest in God’s ultimate provision.
Guilt is the hardest stains in our lives to get rid of. Modern efforts include denying its very existence and stuffing it down into one construct or neurosis or another. Religious efforts include trying to be so good, or get so busy, that we outdo the guilt. But despite our denials or our efforts, our […]
Peter is the Great Disciple. He alone had such great faith. And his alone was the greatest failure. Here is Peter’s greatest moment, his opportunity to make good on everything he has promised Jesus — and he fails miserably. This morning, put yourself with Peter. Consider the moments and the seasons when we fail. Remember […]
From here forward in John comes the “Great Revelation” of Jesus as the Lion of Judah — sacrificed as a Lamb for our sins. Make no mistake: Jesus is in complete control of all that is happening in this text. A mob of soldiers fall down and cower at His feet….yet Jesus still offers Himself […]
Listening in to the end of Jesus’ High Priestly prayer, we hear His repeated affirmation that He is sending us out into the world. That means we are to have the identity of a sent people — sent with mission and purpose. But first Jesus says He is at work in us — so that […]
As Christians, we are the possessors of the most incredible promises of all time — The forgiveness of our sins, our adoption as children of God and members of the Bride of Christ. These things and more are all true of those who are in Christ! But….not yet do we have the full fruit of […]