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Dining with Jesus – John 11:25

“I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”  Romans 11:25-26

 

 

Bread.

 

Light.

 

Gates.

 

Shepherds.

 

Jesus used each item to reveal a characteristic about Who He is.  The struggle I have is thinking that what I need is that particular item to continue on my journey with Christ.  I need bread to sustain me, light to direct me, gates to protect me, a shepherd to guide me.  But what I need is to know Jesus and to know Him more.  It reminds me of the saying that in Sunday School, no matter what the question is, the answer is Jesus.

 

“For my determined purpose is that I may know Him.  That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.”  Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)

 

In the passage today, Martha has a reaction similar to mine.  She believed Lazarus would indeed participate in the resurrection one day; resurrection was the thing that was needed.  But Jesus was standing before her not offering the resurrection, but being the Resurrection.

 

My life, my rebirth, my resurrection is more than an event.  It is a relationship with the One Who is all these things, and so much more.  As Resurrection and Life, Jesus is the One Who brings me from death to life.  As Resurrection and Life, Jesus is the One Who provides a purpose and context for living.  As Resurrection and Life, Jesus is the One Who I live for everyday.

 

Our relationship with Jesus needs to be based on so much more than what He does for us; it’s about Who He is to us.

 

Dining with Jesus – John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  John 10:11

 

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”  John 10:14

 

 

My dining with Jesus today took place sitting in a chair.  But rather than a chair that was at a table, this chair was in the office of a periodontist.  Not my dining location of choice, but I had the time and Jesus was there to join me.

 

As I was fretting about the metallic instruments that would soon fill my mouth, I considered what Jesus revealed about Himself to me in this passage of the Bible.  “I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”  There is a real sense of familiarity between shepherd and sheep that we really don’t get as we read these words.  But those hearing Jesus’ words totally understood what He was talking about.

 

So sitting in that chair I considered how much Jesus knows me.  Completely!  Totally!  More than I know myself!  And, even with knowing all this, He loves me.  Completely!  Totally!  More than I love myself!  And while I get that the shepherd knows the sheep (that Jesus knows me), what is harder to understand is that the sheep know the shepherd (that I can know Jesus).  But this is what Jesus has invited me to do – know Him.

 

“For my determined purpose is that I may know Him.  That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly.”  Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)

 

But what was revealed to me even further is an understanding of how much Jesus is for me.  “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  Jesus knows me, Jesus loves me, and Jesus died for me.  Yes, the whole world, too, but Jesus laid down His life for me – Joe LaCognata.

 

Father, I am overwhelmed when I try to understand the kind of love you have.  A love that would be willing to give up what You did for someone like me. 

 

“What, then, shall we say in response to this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”  Romans 8:32

 

Dining with Jesus – John 10:7

“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”  John 10:7

 

 

As I consider what Jesus being “the Gate for the sheep” displays about His character, I start by getting my mind into the role of being one of His sheep.  From this place I come to sense a dependency on Him for my protection and care.

 

In this way of thinking, a gate limits access and therefore serves as protection.  It is a way of keeping out what is wrong and allowing in what is right.  Jesus as my Gate can protect me by serving as a filter for what impacts my life.

 

A gate also marks an entrance showing where to come in and go out.  A gate becomes a familiar sight as I come and go day-to-day.  Jesus provides me with a familiar sight as I interact with Him day-to-day.  His presence gives me a context and setting from which to live.  As I live my life through the Gate, I am able to keep my bearings as I live in the world everyday.

 

 

"For my determined purpose is that I may know Him.  That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly."  Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)

 

Dining with Jesus – John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

 

 

“The Light of the world.”  This is how Jesus described Himself in this verse.  I think about times in my life that have appeared dark; times of loneliness, confusion, searching.  For Jesus to be my Light means He is present through everything.  Sometimes His light is barely perceptible, at least to me, like a match or a single candle.  Other times, His presence is strong and clear like a huge spotlight or a lighthouse.

 

This Light has not just been for comfort, to make me feel better in the dark, but for direction.  Jesus as Light means I don’t need to fumble my way through life walking in darkness.  Instead, I have the joy of knowing the Light will shine on the path I am to take.  The way I should go is not for me to forge out, but rather for Him to illuminate.  It’s not up to me to walk blindly, but rather to follow the lit path.

 

But even more than giving direction, this Light walks with me.  Jesus is not some inanimate object that simply shows me where to go.  Jesus is a Person that lights the way; not by pointing, but by leading.

 

 

"For my determined purpose is that I may know Him.  That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly."  Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)

 

Dining with Jesus

This past weekend at The Springs we discovered “what” it means to follow Jesus.  We learned that there are things that followers of Jesus do and there are things that followers of Jesus learn.  But beyond the question “what” is the question “who”.  That is, “Who is Jesus?”  That is an important question for Christ followers to answer.

 

So, to this end, The Springs has set out on a journey to respond to Jesus’ invitation to dine with Him this week.  In Revelation 3:20 Jesus said, “Look!  I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”  The goal is to slow down, spend time with Him and get to know Him more.  Throughout the gospels, Jesus is revealed to us.  Specifically, we will look into John’s gospel to find the times where Jesus specifically tells us Who He is by saying “I am….”

 

As this week progresses, I will blog about my dining experiences with Jesus.  I invite you to share your thoughts with me as we journey to get to know Him better.  You can send me an email (joe@thesprings.org) or leave a comment on this blog.

 

"For my determined purpose is that I may know Him.  That I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly."  Philippians 3:10 (Amplified)

 

Dine with Jesus this week and get to know Him better...

 

• John 6: 35 (read 6:26-35)
• John 8:12
• John 10: 7 (read 10:1-10)
• John 10: 11 (read 10:11-14)
• John 11: 25 (read 11:1-27)
• 14: 6 (read 14:1-7)
• John 15: 1 (read 15:1-11)

Time for Some New Wheels

I remember my first car.  It was a 1970 Ford Maverick that was about 10 years old when I got it.  It was yellow in color, but a few cans of spray paint later, my brother and I had customized it metallic silver with a black racing stripe.  Wow!

It was a great first car.  I learned how to change the oil, change the brakes and perform other basic auto maintenance tasks.  That was back when you could open the hood of a car and not be intimidated by the host of computers running the vehicle.

At that time we lived about 30 miles from Chicago in a new subdivision being built up in the country.  It was a time when urban sprawl was clashing with quiet living.  It was a time that Ford clashed with John Deere.

The road from the Interstate leading to our house was a gravel road; the amenities of the city had not yet reached us.  One fateful day, at the top of a hill on that gravel road, my poor Maverick met its maker in the form of a farm tractor pulling a disc attachment (I’m sure there is a more appropriate name, but remember, I’m a city boy).

Needless to say, that was the end of the Maverick.  No amount of fine tuning, minor repairing or basic maintenance would bring new life to this car.  I was in need of some new wheels.

And that’s exactly what God offers us through Jesus.  No amount of fine tuning, minor repairing or basic maintenance can take us from being spiritually dead to spiritually alive.  What is needed is a fresh start; a new life.

God loves us, even while we are dead in our sin.  In fact, Romans 5:8 tells us that it was while we were against Him that Jesus died for us.  But God doesn’t want us to stay dead.  Through Jesus, we are able to have new life.  That’s what it means to be born again.

If you are reading this and know that you are still trying to tinker with something that is broken beyond repair, this would be a great time to let God know that you are ready for a change.

And if you know that you are already in Christ, I pray that you will choose to live fully the new life that God has made available to you.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person.  The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Follow Me

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’  At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20

In 1980, I responded to Jesus’ call to “Follow Me”.  There is no way I understood all that decision would mean in the years to come.  All I knew at the time is that I was lost and in need of a Savior.  Jesus offered me real life if I would follow Him.  So, as a 17 year old freshman in college, I chose to become a follower of Christ.

I had made a commitment with my life, but I needed to know what to do, where to go, how to live.  The good news is that my decision to follow Christ was made in the context of a relationship.  A friend of mine had told me about Jesus.  Now, he would be the one that would guide my steps.

It’s not that my friend knew everything about being a follower of Christ.  It’s simply that he had been following Jesus longer and was able to show the way.  This is what Paul was talking about when he said, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

For the next three years of college, I was surrounded by others that had responded to Jesus’ “Follow Me” call.  Together, we learned what following Jesus was all about.  The early days were marked by many questions and many mistakes.  But at every point, there were those around that were able to help show me the right way.

Your journey with Christ is a day-by-day, step-by-step walk.  All along the way, you will have the opportunity to learn more about Him as you spend time in His Word.  But this journey was not designed to be taken alone.  Early in the journey you need someone to very intentionally show you the way.  “How do I read the Bible?”  “How do I pray?”  “Where should I serve?”

As you grow, you need someone to encourage and challenge you.  “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” Colossians 3:16  “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

Choosing to respond to the “Follow Me” call of Jesus does not require that you know everything about the journey.  All that is necessary is a willingness to walk day-by-day with Christ.  And to help make this a reality for you, God surrounds you with others that are also on the journey.  I pray you will invite others to be part of your journey as together you follow Christ.

I Am a Disciple of Jesus!

“I’m a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made.

I’m a disciple of His and I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure.

I’m done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I don’t have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded.

I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven.

My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary.

I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus!

I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He does come for His own, He’ll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!”

Author Unknown

What’s So Good About Good Friday?

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’  A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.  When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’  With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”  John 19:28-30

The good things in life.  That phrase may take your mind to snuggling close to a loved one by a fireplace.  Maybe you think of being at the side of a crib watching a precious baby as they sleep.  Perhaps your thoughts are filled with a perfect family gathering with just the right food.

But what about these good things? 

Medicine – a good thing when your sick.

Vegetables – good things to keep you healthy.

Liver and onions – not sure why they are on the list.

Some things are good not because of the way they make us feel, but because they are good for us; sometimes even in spite of how they make us feel.  Good Friday is one of those things.

Try explaining what Good Friday is to a child.  They can’t put Jesus dying on the cross and the word “good” together.  It doesn’t make sense to attach the adjective “good” to the day of the week remembered as the time all hope appeared to be lost.

Let me allow God’s Word to answer the question, “What’s So Good About Good Friday?”

Good thing God didn’t wait until we had our act together – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Good thing Jesus died for my sins; otherwise I would have had to die – “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.”  1 Corinthians 15:3

Good thing that my ransom was paid – “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”  Hebrews 9:15

Good thing that it truly is finished – “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”  1 Peter 3:18