In my last post, “WHERE ARE WE GOING?” we were left with a question that in many ways and for different reasons everyone thinks about at some point in their life. The people of this world have been through a pandemic and life as we’ve known it has been shaken to its roots. This worldwide shaking has left some Christian leaders calling for Church life to return to normal. In other words, let’s return to the way things were. But this upheaval is a reminder that we live with change, and we must adapt to God’s ways rather than live within the so-called security of sameness. Life in Bible times was also tough under Roman oppression, yet many disciples followed Jesus and slowly began to understand His incomparable ways. This is the way we are going if we follow Jesus! So, will Jesus rebuke the winds and calm the stormy seas every time for us, or will He walk with us through the valley of the shadow? Where do we start is a post I’ve written about before HERE.
Can we trust Him?
Where was Jesus taking His disciples and of course where are we as His followers being taken today? These are questions that require answers but before we consider the where we must consider the who. Once we understand who Jesus is and what He longs for in the Church He has promised He will build, then we soon realize our priority is trusting in what He has accomplished for us rather than what we can do for Him. Less about personal preoccupation and more about what Brennan Manning has said, “I have been seized by the power of a great affection.” [1] When we ask Him to help us with decision-making, He listens. But more importantly, He is present with us wherever we go. We are never alone! Our self-centered bad news story has been reversed by Jesus and we have been recklessly loved resulting in a new way of living. A future of hope!
His arrival signalled a complete reversal
Jesus’ arrival signalled the beginning of a new day. Moving us from death to life without end, forgiveness from sin, and a sure and certain hope that we will live with God on a new earth with new heavens. A rescue plan that has been worked out in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It took a while but soon the early disciples realized He was who He said He was, and their eyes were opened and their lives changed. The work of God’s Spirit opened their eyes to see that within this new Kingdom Jesus has priority in everything. Absolutely, everything! Jesus lived what He taught and revealed Himself as….
The Bread of Life.
The Light of the world.
The Gate for the sheep.
The Good Shepherd.
The Resurrection and the Life.
The Way, the Truth, and the Life.
The one true Vine.
The New Testament writers make a powerful and convincing announcement about Jesus Christ. He has entered the world in such a way that sin has been cancelled, death destroyed, the devil has been disarmed and the Good News is that the Kingdom and the King have arrived. This was the main purpose and direction for those early disciples to live and the same is true for us today.
Relationship with God is possible through Jesus Christ, fellowship or shared life sustains and strengthens our relationship with God. The grace of God enables us to make wise choices similar to keys that unlock fruitfulness in our new life of transformation. His first place priority in our lives brings about our own need to rethink how we live. This is our high calling as sons and daughters.
“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, He had His eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.” [2]
[1] Brennan Manning – The Ragamuffin Gospel
[2] Ephesians 1:11,12 – The Message