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God has given us the Holy Spirit so that we might be able to have a helper to strengthen us and show us the way. Jesus was able to conquer this world of sin and death and offers us a better life. Not a life where we are taken out of the world, but where we are given the grace to endure the suffering that comes our way. That we may be a light, and outpost, in the midst of this dark world. Jesus is denied, he is falsely accused, and stands before an indifferent official. In all of this, he never loses sight of his place in the world, his kingdom. We are not working to make this world a little bit better, we’re working to see God’s Kingdom come to earth. Jesus died, was pierced in his side, and was buried. In this act, he won the victory, and the victory celebration was the resurrection. Jesus appeared to his followers and showed himself to be true, and so we have it in the Bible, that we too, like doubting Thomas might proclaim “my Lord and my God!” It is now our task to take the gospel to the whole world, to begin where we are, and to see it spread all around the whole world, even to the uttermost parts of the earth. We need not wait on the Holy Spirit, he is already here. All those who trust in Jesus have his strength and leading for this task.

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Jesus gives sight to the blind, not just physically, but spiritually. He is the Good Shepherd who is willing to die for his sheep, and so he did. He is not only a great teacher and the best leader, he is also God, he and the Father are one in the same. He showed this by even being able to raise the dead, and he proves he can do this for us as well, he is the resurrection one day and the life for us now. This is too much for some to hear. They want a happy religion of good things to do and bad things to avoid, this is not Jesus. He is the way, this is a divisive message only relatively few are willing to receive. Mary understood, she was willing to give what was most precious to her, because Jesus had become more. Jesus must be the one we elevate in our lives, to the chief position, he came to save us all, and so we too should follow his lead and be the servant of all. Even though we do fail him, as both Judas and Peter did, we have a choice about today. Will we give up and die in our lostness like Judas, or will we give up and follow Jesus as Peter did. If we are guided by the Holy Spirit, we will have fellowship with God. Do you know Jesus, this Jesus, the real Jesus? Follow him today!

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It’s not just that Jesus came and died for you, you must take action, you must be born again. The interesting thing about this interchange with Nicodemus is that the term “again” can also mean “from above.” It’s a spiritual birth which comes when you place your trust in Jesus. This is how God showed his love for the world, he sent Jesus. Have you received him? He cuts through the religious fairness that we all hide behind. The woman at the well had a hidden past she didn’t want to revel, Jesus cut through it all. He didn’t hold back and he confronted her sins, but he offered her hope. Jesus heals us regardless of the propriety and rules we set up, just like the man at the pool. How can he do this? Because Jesus is equal with God. That’s how he can walk on water and feed thousands with just a small lunch, he is God. He is our only hope, the bread of life. Jesus was, however, quite direct. He didn’t give people false hope, if they wanted to follow after him, it would cost. He didn’t offer cheap grace. That why the majority of people who had ever followed him turned away. But those who understood what he was saying stayed. That’s who Jesus was there for. His ministry may have had a big “back door” but the front door was wide-open for all to enter in. Jesus is life and this message is divisive. Not everyone wants to accept him. Nevertheless he is the only way. May we offer the light and life of Jesus to others.

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Jesus died for you. He died for us all. He gave us signs like baptism and the Lord’s Supper as signposts of this New Covenant He cut for us. It’s not about which of us follow Him the best, it’s about the one who died for us. We all, just like Peter, fall away and deny Jesus with our actions, but He’s always there to reach out and restore us, why wouldn’t we confess and return to Him? Jesus prayed with fervent devotion, shouldn’t we? Can we not keep watch for an hour? Jesus was mocked and betrayed. Pilate was indifferent and unable to find fault in Jesus. Herod wouldn’t take responsibility, “let someone else deal with Him…” Don’t we do the same? Who will deal with the fact Jesus is Lord? Who will act in response to the reality that our friends and neighbors will go to Hell if they don’t receive Jesus as their Savior? We cannot be indifferent. Jesus died and rose again! He is the perfect sacrifice. The Bible clearly shows Jesus as the Messiah, God’s Anointed King from days of old come to save us from our sin. He is the Word of God, very God Himself, from before the beginning of time. John the Baptist spoke about Him, and then He came. He called people unto Himself, and so He still does today, will you follow Him? Do you look for a sign, or do you believe? We must worship Him genuinely and according to His Word. Just like the moneychangers in the temple, we must follow Him, not our own interests. Will you follow Him today?

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Jesus didn’t follow all the rules, just the ones that mattered. Which is more important, to heal someone or to act with decorum? Are we willing to be “undignified” to follow Jesus? The wedding feast and the banquet, are you included? Are we out there inviting people to come in… but on Jesus’ terms, not theirs? It costs us to follow Jesus, but it’s worth it! You’re a child of God, are you making a difference? Have you lost your effectiveness for the kingdom, like salt that has no taste? That which is lost is worth going after. What will matter in the end is relationships. First and foremost, your relationship with God through Jesus… secondly, your relationship with others. The church is a community, are you adding to that community or are you a drain on it? Build relationships, build disciples. Be a worthy servant, and be a grateful one. Jesus heals 10 men, and only one said “thank you.” Only one allowed Jesus to heal his heart. Jesus is returning, will you be ready? Do we think we’re smarter than we are or do we allow even children to experience the joy of salvation without a cynical reaction? Which is harder, to follow Jesus when you’re at your lowest point, or after you’ve “gotten your life together” like the rich young ruler. Who needs Jesus more, the needy, or the greedy? Are we like Zacchaeus who won’t let any personal inconveniences get in the way of us seeking Jesus and bringing others to him, or have we lost our zeal for presence with our Lord? As Jesus comes to Jerusalem, he weeps for their rejection of Him. Not for His sake, for theirs. Jesus is challenged and yet at every turn he responds with kindness and a warning of the wrath to come. Jesus will return. Are you ready… if it were today?

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