Main Point and Overview:
Have you ever said something over and over to someone, but that person was simply not listening? Or, better yet, have you ever watched a person put off certain responsibilities only to be shocked when the “due date” arrived, and he or she wasn’t prepared? That was the disciples of Jesus! He had been telling them over and over that he came to die for the sins of the world. They were so infatuated with the possibilities of an earthly kingdom of power and prosperity, that they weren’t listening to Jesus’ words. Now, less than 24 hours before Jesus would be captured, convicted, and killed, reality was beginning to “set in” on them. The result was anxiety! They weren’t ready for this big-time “change,” so Jesus prepared them with comfort and a challenge. The reality is that we need one another! Jesus knew this; his disciples needed to learn this. They were about to experience pressure like never before, and one way that they would be ready to meet the challenge was through a higher quality of love for one another. This love would lead to missional unity that would produce comfort in difficult times and comradery which was necessary for Gospel expansion. Jesus did his best to remind his disciples of his purpose, plan, and program. He wanted them to look to the future for hope. He wanted them to realize that he was calling them to do “greater things” than he would do. Of course, no one is greater than Jesus. What Jesus meant was that he was calling his disciples to take the life-giving Gospel outside the city of Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Instead of letting their circumstances crush them, Jesus was calling his disciples to “rise up” for the mission! What about you? Are you ready to tackle the pressures of the mission? Remember, God is with you!
Have you ever said something over and over to someone, but that person was simply not listening? Or, better yet, have you ever watched a person put off certain responsibilities only to be shocked when the “due date” arrived, and he or she wasn’t prepared? That was the disciples of Jesus! He had been telling them over and over that he came to die for the sins of the world. They were so infatuated with the possibilities of an earthly kingdom of power and prosperity, that they weren’t listening to Jesus’ words. Now, less than 24 hours before Jesus would be captured, convicted, and killed, reality was beginning to “set in” on them. The result was anxiety! They weren’t ready for this big-time “change,” so Jesus prepared them with comfort and a challenge. The reality is that we need one another! Jesus knew this; his disciples needed to learn this. They were about to experience pressure like never before, and one way that they would be ready to meet the challenge was through a higher quality of love for one another. This love would lead to missional unity that would produce comfort in difficult times and comradery which was necessary for Gospel expansion. Jesus did his best to remind his disciples of his purpose, plan, and program. He wanted them to look to the future for hope. He wanted them to realize that he was calling them to do “greater things” than he would do. Of course, no one is greater than Jesus. What Jesus meant was that he was calling his disciples to take the life-giving Gospel outside the city of Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. Instead of letting their circumstances crush them, Jesus was calling his disciples to “rise up” for the mission! What about you? Are you ready to tackle the pressures of the mission? Remember, God is with you!
Posted in Devotional