This Is The Answer

"Yet a little while and the world no more sees Me.  You, however, see Me because I live also you will live.  In that day will you know that I am in the Father of Me and you in Me and I in you."  (John 14:19, 20--Greek Interlinear)

Someone came to see me once and said that he just had lonely hours, couldn't function, couldn't forget the past, the sins, the mistakes, the heartaches.  One human to another just has no answer for this.  More of humanity is afflicted with this than any of us can imagine.

In our text Jesus is telling us that there is an offer of continual, moment by moment fellowship in the Godhead, no "lonely hours," enslavement to the past "sins" and "mistakes."  1 John 1 tells us of this glorious relationship in Father, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  It is referred to as, "....our fellowship...."  This fellowship, or perhaps the Word is better translated, "participation," because that is exactly what Biblical, "fellowship," means, is what our Lord Jesus is speaking of in our text.

Think with me for a moment.  At this very moment I am writing this and you are reading this, you and I are exactly living the Words of 1 John 1:3, "....and indeed our fellowship/participation is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ."  This is now, my friend, no waiting to "get into His Presence," or waiting to feel this.  No matter what you are experiencing right now, Jesus is speaking these Words to you, "I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am I you."  Literally and eternally this is "where" you and I are.  Take comfort.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I can never thank You enough for this reality.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

John 12 & 13

"Then they came to Phillip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus.'"  (John 12:21)

My Dad had someone in one of his parishes make a name plate with the Words, "We would see Jesus" (KJV).  He had it placed on the pulpit from which he preached.  What does that tell you about this man?  My Dad realized that "seeing" Jesus was the only Salvation, and there is no forgiveness of sin, no coming, "to the Father, but by [Jesus]."

This should be on the pulpit of every Church building in every city, state, nation in the world.  It is the Theme of Life.  May this be our daily, fundamental request of our Heavenly Father.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I, too, "would see Jesus."  Amen.

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"For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  (John 13:15)

"Example"-- This does not mean "copy;" no one could ever.  This is Jesus in us serving one another, serving humanity.

This is the Supreme Servant telling us as His Servants to serve one another.  If you want to "pick" a good church, look for a "servant" atmosphere.  This is where you not only will be served, but just as importantly, you also will serve. 

Jesus tells us to, "....do as I have done to you."  Now I am not opposed to those who actually have foot-washing services, but personally I don't think this should be what we "take away" from our text.  In Luke 22:7 we read that Jesus said, "....I am among you as the One Who serves."  This is the "way" we are to be "among" one another, and, the world----- servants.

Father, in Jesus' Name, show me more "servant" opportunities today.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Whatever We Need--Jesus Declares "I Am, That I Am"

"I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."  (John 11:25, KJV, because this is how I first memorized it)

Earlier, our Lord Jesus had told the disciples that Lazarus was sleeping; they didn't get it.  "Then Jesus said to them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead.'"  Have you ever noticed how reluctant spiritual people are to say those words.  We shouldn't be, you know.  Followers of Jesus are the People of the Resurrection Life, "....though he were dead, yet shall he live."

Jesus concluded our text to Martha with the Words which really accompany all of the, "God-Breathed," Words, "Do you believe this?"  Martha's response was not an answer to Jesus' question.  It was more of a general philosophical response, a sort of, "Well, some day something may happen."  Every day I believe that our Lord Jesus Christ asks you and me what He asked Martha, "Do you believe this?"  This may sound extremely radical, but every verse of Scripture which you and I read, and every time we read it is followed by the Holy Spirit asking, "Do you believe this?"  

Do not think this trivial.  We are, "born again/from above," once; we are saved daily.  You know that the Word for, "saved," or, "salvation," means, "safety, preservation, healing, restoration, deliverance, prosperity."  These are not "one-time" needs.  I have known people who once "believed" who no longer do.  They should have been asked frequently, "Do you (still) believe this."  Sorry for the digression, but some may think this condemnatory.  "What about the assurance of our salvation?"  A periodic checking of the "believer" in us will keep us assured.  You could ask me this question every day, and I would not be offended.

The great, "I Am," claims of our Lord Jesus Christ are throughout the Gospel of John.  These are not great, "I give," claims.  They are, "I Am," declarations.  Jesus', "I Am," claims go back to what He said to Moses, "I Am, that I Am."  Someone once said, If we need bread, Jesus says to us, "I Am, that I Am."  If we need the way, the truth, and the life, Jesus says, "I Am, that I Am."  If we need light, a Good Shepherd, and perhaps that "ultimate," resurrection, Jesus says, "I Am, that I Am."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that You not only "give" to me, You Are, "I Am," to me.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Seeing Is [NOT] Believing"

"How were your eyes opened?...Where is this Man?...Give glory to God by telling the truth....We know this Man is a sinner....What did He do to you?  How did He open your eyes?"  (From John 9, NIV))

It just does not matter what we do or what we say.  Even if you could put the "proof," which some demand, in a test tube, all would be to no avail; some people just choose to not believe.  I am always suspicious of those who, as those in our text, have unending questions. 

I say that they choose to not believe, because belief is a choice, not a reasoning.  You will remember that after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the resisting Jews not only wanted to kill Jesus, but they also wanted to kill Lazarus, the evidence of Jesus' power and authority.  Likewise, just after Jesus' Resurrection, the Bible tells us, "When they saw Him, some worshipped Him; but some doubted."  Notice, "....they saw Him,.." yet choose not to believe what, "....they saw...."

We must not look for that one supremely intellectual argument to bring someone to Jesus.  Only an "accepting" faith does that. 

I once briefly shared with someone about inviting Jesus into his heart.  His response?  "That's weird."  Of course it is to the "natural mind."  If you push things far enough, the whole Bible could fall under that category.  Jesus reminds us, "If they do not believe Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."  We read that Nicodemus had questions, but what we don't read is that at some point he said, "Ah, now I see and understand."  We do read later, however, that at some point He had surrendered His life to Jesus.  

It may sound trite, even simplistic to some, but the blind man's frustrated response to those for whom no amount of  "answers," no amount of proof could satisfy his inquisitors, seems like sound theology, "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I totally agree with the blind man.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2