A Place Called Home

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

John 14:1-14

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2014%3A1-14&version=NIV;NLT

 

My wife and I are big Michigan State football fans.

 

She grew up going to the games because her Dad had season tickets. Years later, when we were first married and I was still in school there, we bought season tickets. Then, about twelve years ago, we bought season tickets again and have been going ever since. Needless to say, we live and die with every play.

 

I’m only slightly embarrassed to confess that I also record the games on our DVR. Then, sometime during the following week, I watch it again. Only the second time is without stress. It doesn’t matter how many first downs we give up, turnovers we commit, opportunities we miss or points our opponents score; because I already know the final outcome.

 

The same must have been true for Jesus’ disciples after his resurrection. We know that they faced extremely difficult times with many of them ending their life as martyrs. What kept them focused during such extreme persecution? How did they handle the stress?

 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.   NLT

 

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples before he was crucified. When Jesus fulfills this promise, it will be an amazing milestone. Following his ascension, Jesus’ disciples could securely rest in his promise to return for them. The Good News for us is that his words still hold true today.

 

When life is difficult; when you are experiencing pain and suffering; when a loved one suddenly dies or you lose your job or feel rejected or are struck down with a critical illness; you already know the final outcome. You know that Jesus is preparing a place for you to join him.

 

It’s a place called home.

 

 

 

 

Show Me

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

John 20

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020&version=NIV;NLT

  

Missouri is the “show me state”! Legend has it that in 1899, Missouri's U.S. Congressman, Willard Duncan Vandiver, gave a speech at a naval banquet in Philadelphia where he declared, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats. Frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me."

 

The disciples were the same way. When Jesus did miracles, the disciples were standing right there; watching. But they didn’t see Jesus reach the milestone when he rose from the dead. As a result, when they heard about it they said, “Show me”.

 

The women, after finding the empty tomb, told the disciples about their discovery. Instead of believing them, Peter and John ran to the tomb to see for themselves; as if to say, “Show me”.

 

The biggest doubter of all was Thomas. “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.” Again, show me!

 

Stubbornness and doubt are a part of human nature. People want to see for themselves before they believe. Jesus knew this would hold his disciples back. So he decided on a more direct approach.

 

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.”       NIV

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.            NIV

 

Jesus sent his disciples in the power of the Holy Spirit. At this point, they didn’t respond anymore by saying, “Show me”. They just went.

 

How will you respond to the risen Christ? Will you say, “Show me”? Or will you say, “Here am I Lord. Send me”?

 

 

 

Defining Moment

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

Matthew 27:32-56

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027%3A32-56&version=NIV;NLT

 

Do you remember where you were when you first heard the news about 9/11? It was eighteen years ago this week when two passenger planes started it all by flying into the Twin Towers in New York City killing 2606 people, not including the terrorist.

 

 

9/11 was a defining moment in American history, if not world history.

 

Following Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, events moved at hyper speed. Jesus was brought before the Sanhedrin to be mocked and judged; Peter, afraid for his life, swore he didn’t know him; Judas, wracked by guilt and shame, hung himself; Jesus, in a mockery of justice, was condemned before Pilot; and finally, crucified.

 

He could have stopped the whole process at any time, but he chose not to, because this was his mission in life. Being crucified was his horrific milestone to reach. But it wasn’t just a milestone; it was a defining moment in history.

 

It was when he called out to his loving Father in agony, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me”! And then, with his dying breath, “It is finished”.

 

It was when a hardened Roman officer said, “This man truly was the Son of God!” While religious leaders mocked Jesus by saying, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!”

It was when the curtain of the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom. And when “the earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open”.

It was when the men on either side of him were defined as criminals; but Jesus was defined as the Son of God.

 

In the book, The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11, Garett M. Graff tells the stories of people who survived 9/11 because of a “lucky” decision they made. One such man lived because he went back to his hotel room to change his tie, while the rest of his co-workers went up into the north tower. It was a defining moment.

 

We all have defining moments. What are yours? Here is the chorus of the song titled, “Defining Moment”, that gives a great answer to this question.

 

When you believe He's all you need…
that will be your defining moment.
As you live your life walking in His light,
trusting Him completely…
that will be your defining moment.         by New Song

 

May this be your defining moment… and mine.

 

 

(The link below is for the song “Defining Moment”)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqCmPSHxJRM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Doesn’t Kill You, Makes You Stronger

A Series on the Milestones in Jesus’ Life

Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+14%3A32-42%2CLuke+22%3A40-46&version=NIV

 

In 1888, the German philosopher Nietzsche wrote what has been translated as, “Out of life’s school of war—what doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.”

 

The truth is, life is full of pressure and stress. It has the capacity to make you stronger; or to defeat you. You can experience stress anywhere. At work or at home; financial or health; even stress due to changes in your life; and life is always changing. Everybody experiences stress. Even Jesus did.

 

Arguably, the most stressful time in Jesus’ life was in the Garden of Gethsemane. A garden that he had visited frequently with his disciples for prayer and meditation was now a garden of unimaginable pressure and stress.

 

³³ He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ³⁴ “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” ³⁵ Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him.           Mark 14

 

⁴⁴ And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.         Luke 22

 

While his closest friends slept, Jesus called out three times in desperation to his “Abba, Father” asking him to remove the cup from him. Jesus was under immense pressure and stress.

 

In fact, Gethsemane, in Hebrew, means “oil press”. It’s a place for squeezing the oil from olives. Facing this pressure; this stress; this real life olive press; was a milestone for Jesus.

 

What stress are you facing today? How will you deal with it? Like Nietzsche’s quote, will it make you stronger in your faith?



Jesus dealt with his stress through prayer. Should we do anything less?