Refocused Faith Sharpens Spiritual Sight

And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time” (Luke 1:18-20).

The incredible good news was met with incredulous doubt. Although he was a priest, accustomed to praying and interceding for the people of Israel, Zechariah doubted. Although he knew the stories of God’s supernatural interventions in the births of Isaac, Samson, and Samuel, Zechariah doubted. Even though he stood at the altar of incense, before the veil of the Holiest place in the Temple, and in the presence of Gabriel, God’s supernatural messenger, Zechariah doubted. His question was not born of disrespect, but revealed a deep desire to be certain, to be assured, and to believe. How shall I know this? In this encounter between priest and angel we learn how refocused faith sharpens spiritual sight.

Rational faith is a natural gift. Everyone has faith in what they can see, hear, taste, smell, and touch. We trust countless things every day without even thinking about them, because we know them through our natural senses. We believe the sun will rise and set, the clock will advance, the plane, train, bus, or automobile will get us where we are going, and so much more. We trust people, although we find them a little less reliable than things. Zechariah responded to the message of Gabriel with his eyes fixed on the natural circumstances of his life. He and his wife were too old to have a child. His nearsightedness kept him from believing and receiving the precious blessing God wanted to give him. The Teacher inspired Luke to record Zechariah’s response as a prompt for us to check our own eyesight, to see if we are able to see and receive the spiritual things God wants to show us… “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Maturing disciples are able to look past our natural circumstances to see the supernatural truth God wants to reveal because we do not walk by natural sight alone… “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Refined faith is a divine gift. God allowed Zechariah and Elizabeth to age without children. Through a lifetime of devoted service God brought the priest to this very intentional encounter with His messenger. Now Gabriel invoked nine months of silence for Zechariah, a period of both muteness and deafness (see Luke 1:62). With the Spirit’s help we see that it was all in order to dull his natural senses and heighten his spiritual senses. Through His word and in the midst of life’s trials Christ refines our faith and increases our spiritual sight that we might see and know Him more clearly… “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Reaching faith moves our focus from the natural to the supernatural. For born again and growing disciples there is so much more than just the natural world around us. It’s true that we must walk with our eyes open, with an awareness of the natural world around us, but we do not limit our sight to the natural world, we reach beyond the world of the seen to the world of the unseen… “We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18). Gabriel showed up and prompted Zechariah to grow his faith by readjusting his focus. As our faith matures, the Spirit of Truth reveals more and more of the supernatural world that is beyond our natural senses… “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

As we grow up into Christ we see Him and His truth more clearly because…

Refocused Faith Sharpens Spiritual Sight.

The Spirit of Greatness

“And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared” (Luke 1:14-17).

The announcement of an impending addition to the family almost always provokes congratulations and best wishes. There is celebration and anticipation when we consider all the potential of the fresh new life that is soon to come. The angelic announcement to Zechariah of the impending birth of John was accompanied by the promise of joy and gladness. But the messenger Gabriel went much further. In the Temple encounter with Zechariah, the angel promised that John will be great before the Lord. Wow! This child would not just be great by the standards of the world, but the Lord God Himself would declare him to be great according to His divine standard. Imagine the weight of responsibility Zechariah must have felt in the light of this incredible announcement! He and Elizabeth would have to raise this child to be holy, set apart from the world, and available for the service of the Lord. But God would do the major work of preparing John for his special life’s work. In another revelation of His sovereign grace, even before his birth, God would see to it that this child was filled with the Spirit of greatness.

The origin of John’s greatness was the Holy Spirit. It’s true that John’s parents would bear the responsibility to raise this special child in a holy home, keeping him from the pollution of worldly enticements and temptations like wine or strong drink. But it was God’s impartation of the Holy Spirit that would mark John as His servant. The Holy Spirit identifies true believers as God’s children… “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). Like John, genuine disciples are to be set apart from the world around us and preserved in holiness by the Holy Spirit… “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11).

The objective of John’s greatness was to prepare hearts to receive Jesus Christ. John would shake up the world by confronting people with the terminally diseased condition of their sinful hearts… “John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). He challenged his audience to respond by confessing, repenting, and being baptized to prepare to receive Jesus… “And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Mark 1:5). He even confronted the selfishness, greed, and materialism of his growing crowd with a lifestyle of austerity and dependence upon the Lord… “Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey” (Mark 1:6). Like John, true believers are to be changed by the Holy Spirit to live in a way that should convict and compel others to seek Jesus Christ… “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8).

The outcome of John’s greatness was to confidently and humbly introduce others to the Savior. John did not preach about himself, his supernatural birth, or his encounter with Christ in the womb. He preached the good news of Christ to an audience prepared to believe and receive Him… “And he preached, saying, ‘After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit’” (Mark 1:7-8). Real disciples know and trust the same Holy Spirit witnessing power to lead others to Christ… “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

As we grow up into Christ we are more engaged and effective witnesses as we are empowered by…

The Spirit of Greatness.

A Confirmation of God's Grace

Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John" (Luke 1:8-13).

Zechariah was a faithful servant of the Lord. He took his turn serving as priest along with his division. He humbly accepted whatever duties were assigned to him by his superiors. But the Lord had a special assignment for this God-directed life. While Zechariah was burning incense inside the temple, a large crowd gathered outside. Both priest and people were praying and at the top of their list was a prayer for the coming of the Messiah. They were living in difficult times, under the oppression of the Gentiles. They longed for freedom from the rule of the Romans and the reestablishment of the kingdom of Israel and they believed the Messiah would be the leader that would bring the deliverance they longed for. Of course, they also had a long list of personal needs that were not hidden from the ears of God. High on the prayer list of the aging Zechariah was a longing for a child of his own. God heard every prayer. He dispatched an angelic messenger with an answer that responded to both the intercessory and personal supplications of Zechariah and the people, but even more, served as a sign that the Messiah was coming soon. The Holy Spirit compelled Luke to record this remarkable encounter before the altar of incense in front of the veil that hid the Holiest Place in the Temple because it was a confirmation of God’s Grace.

Zechariah was called by grace. He was sensitive to the leading of the Spirit and devoted to serving God. True disciples, like Zechariah see every day as a gift from God, full of potential to be part of His supernatural work. We strive to conquer sin and keep ourselves available to God. We are sensitive to the Spirit’s presence and work in our home, neighborhood, workplace, and everywhere we go. When we live this close to the Lord, He receives our prayers and reshapes them into His will… “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 826-27). Like He did for Zechariah, God transforms the prayers of earnest disciples into His perfect will and His answers to our prayers will make us part of His supernatural plan even as He meets our personal needs. Are you available to God, to be directed and used according to His grace every day?

The angel was commissioned by grace. The Spirit reveals the name of this angel just a few verses ahead… “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news” (Luke 1:19). With these words the angel reveals that his presence and message are God-directed, God-sent, right from the divine throne room. The angel was not sent to King Herod, High Priest Mattathias, or even to Elizabeth the baby’s mother. He declared good news to Zechariah, the man of God’s choosing. Even more than angels, true disciples are ministers of the gospel by God’s grace today… “Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power” (Ephesians 3:7). Are you experiencing God’s grace and power as you share the gospel every day?

The baby was conceived by grace. Gabriel’s words were clear. Elizabeth would bear a son conceived by Zechariah, but the life granted through this conception was a gift from God. The angel instructed Zechariah to name the child John, a name that means the grace of the Lord or in whom there is grace. True disciples believe we are saved by grace… “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8), and we are living each day by grace… “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him” (Colossians 2:6). Are you trusting less in yourself and more in God’s grace every day?

As we grow up into Christ our called, commissioned, and conceived lives become…

A Confirmation of God’s Grace.

Three Demands of the God-Directed Life

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years (Luke 1:5-7).

After introducing us to the intended recipient of this story, our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, prompted Luke to begin at the beginning. This good news story begins before the birth of the main character. In setting the stage for this “orderly account” (Luke 1:3), Luke writes about Zechariah and Elizabeth a husband and wife about to be used by God for a very important purpose. The Spirit intentionally inspired Luke to record three significant facts about this precious elderly couple. These spiritual truths will bless earnest disciples that are serious about discovering and pursuing the will of God… “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:50). Today the Spirit illuminates the lives of Zechariah and Elizabeth to show us three demands of the God-directed life.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were living a devoted life. They were each descended from priestly families and were thus set apart for God’s special work. They lived among those called to serve the Lord in His temple and to intercede for the people. While New Testament believers are not part of the line of Old Testament priests, the Spirit testifies that we are part of a new priesthood of believers… “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). As such, we are to live in holiness, above and beyond the sin and temptation of this world so we might be set apart and available for God’s holy work… “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).

Zechariah and Elizabeth were living a disciplined life. They were “righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord”. They were obedient to the laws and truths revealed in God’s word. Jesus promises that He will make Himself known to those who obey His word… “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). He also promises the Holy Spirit in increasing measure to those who keep His commandments… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:15-17). It is the Holy Spirit that leads us into truth and empowers us to do God’s work… “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Zechariah and Elizabeth were living a determined life. They had no child of their own but they were willing to serve God’s child. They were advanced in years but they were never too old for the Lord’s work. Maturing disciples are not immune from the trials of life. We get sick and grow old just like everyone else. We have broken dreams and disappointments. What makes us different is our growing knowledge of the Lord. As we get to know our great, supernatural God better we expect Him to be doing great, supernatural things… “You are the God who works wonders; you have made known your might among the peoples” (Psalm 77:14). Our discernment of His soul-saving work is heightened… “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Our desire to be part of His kingdom-building work grows… “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

As we grow up into Christ the Spirit helps us to become more devoted, disciplined, and determined…

Three Demands of the God-Directed Life.

The Gospel for Lovers

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, ^just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught (Luke 1:1-4).

The Lord has seen fit to give us four accounts of the life, death, and resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. We call these accounts gospels. Jesus preached a gospel Himself… “One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up” (Luke 20:1). He gave His disciples a commission and authority to preach His gospel to the world… “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal… And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1-2, 6). Just what is the gospel? The Greek word translated gospel is euangelizō and it means to announce good news. What sets Luke’s gospel apart from the others is not its author or its content. What makes Luke’s gospel different and the perfect complement to the other three gospels is his audience. In this wonderful account we have received the gospel for lovers.

All the gospels come from the same Author. Although we have received these accounts from four different writers, each of them was inspired by the same Author, the Holy Spirit… “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). The purpose and work of the Holy Spirit is to remind us of the truth revealed by the life and ministry of Jesus Christ… “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). Luke’s gospel and the Holy Spirit are gifts from God to enable us to walk with Jesus and discover and enjoy His precious truth everyday… “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth… He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:13-14).

All the gospels contain the same good news. The Spirit defines the good news of the gospels through the pen of the Apostle Paul… “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you… For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4). In the Revelation, the Spirit reveals that this same good news is reflected in four different ways… “And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight” (Revelation 4:6-7). Luke’s gospel is a historical narrative that begins with the priest Zechariah serving before the sacrificial altar of the Lord, and ends with Christ’s revelation to His disciples that He was the final sacrifice pointed to in the scriptures… “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27). For this reason Luke’s gospel is represented by the sacrificial ox of the Revelation.

What makes Luke’s gospel different is his unique audience, identified by the writer himself… “Most excellent Theophilus” (Luke 1:3). Theophilus is a Greek name that can be translated lover of God or loved of God. The Holy Spirit selected Theophilus to represent God’s chosen audience for this precious gospel. It was his love for God that made him most excellent in God’s eyes. Maturing disciples like Theophilus who love God will be transformed by the powerful truth revealed by the Holy Spirit in Luke’s gospel… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth” (John 14:15-17).

As we grow up into Christ we are blessed and transformed by the truth of…

The Gospel for Lovers.

The Gospel that Transforms Us

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written (John 21:24-25).

John’s Gospel ends here. The Holy Spirit reveals that as John reflected on His time with Jesus, he was transformed from skeptical follower into beloved disciple. Through the life and pen of the Apostle, the Holy Spirit exhorts us imitate this devoted disciple and to be transformed by the truth revealed in his gospel. The Spirit compels us to examine our motives and He challenges us to embrace the truth Christ revealed and to let that truth transform us into compassionate, caring, and confident disciples of Christ. If we become diligent disciples after the manner of John, like Him we will follow Christ wherever He calls us. Some of us will struggle in our walk, some will be under relentless attack for our faith, some will experience prosperity on earth, some will die early, some will live long, but all will be used to advance Christ’s kingdom. The key is to understand the difference between being a mere follower and serious disciple of Christ. Followers have many selfish reasons for remaining in the crowd and at a distance from the Lord. Disciples follow Christ ever more closely, embracing His truth and sharing it with the world. Disciples like John strive to be as close to Christ as possible… “One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side… So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, ‘Lord, who is it?’” (John 13:23-25). True disciples follow Christ whatever the cost, wherever the location. That is what John was now willing to do, after following Christ for more than three years. That is what his gospel now challenges us to do. Truly this is the gospel that transforms us.

How long have you been following Christ now? Have you been hiding in the crowd of Christ followers? Has reading this humble devotional work made you aware that you have not been following Christ at all? Are you ready to respond to the truth revealed in this gospel by taking a step of faith away from the crowd and closer to Christ? The first step is to pray and tell Him that you believe He paid for your sins when He died on the cross… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Then tell Him you want to step closer to receive Him as your Savior and Lord… “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Jesus promises to hear your prayer and let you know that you are now His child by placing His Spirit in your heart… “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6). If you continue to follow Christ closely, His Spirit will go to work helping you to become more like Him every day… “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). John’s gospel reveals that the Holy Spirit transforms diligent disciples into the image of Christ in three ways:

The Spirit helps us to know and follow Christ more closely… “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me” (John 15:26).

The Spirit reveals and compels us to embrace Christ’s truth more earnestly… “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13).

The Spirit works in and through us to transform our lives into something that brings glory to Christ… “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14), fulfilling Jesus’ desire that His disciples reflect His glory to the world… “All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them” (John 17:10).

As we grow up into Christ followers become beloved disciples like John by embracing the truth of…

The Gospel that Transforms Us.

The Love that Secures Us

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” (John 21:20-23).

Love is a two way street. Love between Jesus and His disciples is given and received by both parties. After Peter was challenged to let love for Christ be his motivation for intimacy with the Master, for serving others, and for trusting the sovereign will of God for his life, Peter noticed John, the beloved disciple following closely. Here Jesus revealed the other side of love, the love Christ has for beloved disciples like John. Here discerning disciples get a glimpse of the love that secures us.

Christ’s love keeps us close to Him. Jesus was busy in a personal meeting with Peter. John was content to follow the Master closely because He was confident in Christ’s love for him. He did not have to be the closest to Jesus. He did not have to be center of attention in the circle of disciples. He knew Jesus loved him and that assurance compelled him to walk humbly close behind the Master. Jesus has demonstrated His love for us… “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Here, eHeHe reminds us that He earnestly desires intimacy with those He loves… “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).

Christ’s love keeps us growing in Him. In the midst of the turmoil of the last supper John stayed close to Jesus, resting his head on the Savior’s chest. While others sought answers among themselves, increasing suspicion and speculation, John looked to the Master and asked Him directly to reveal deeper truth about who was about to betray Him. John was confident enough in the love Christ had for him to seek the truth despite the possibility that Jesus might have named him as the culprit. Jesus wants to reveal deeper and deeper levels of His truth to those whom He loves. He has given us the Holy Spirit to our guide His precious truth… “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him… These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:23-26). Jesus loves us enough to show us truth that will discipline and mature us as His disciples… “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 12:6). The Holy Spirit exhorts us to imitate and reflect this kind of revealing, perfecting love toward each other… “Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).

Christ’s love keeps us safe in Him. Jesus knew that Peter was going die as a martyr for Christ. He also knew that John was going to live a long life of persecution, suffering, and exile that would produce a beautiful and prophetic testimony for Christ. He would live until Jesus came to him with a brilliant revelation of Himself and of our eternal future with Him that would encourage and exhort true disciples throughout the ages as we look forward to Christ’s ultimate return… “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John” (Revelation 1:1). Jesus’ words to Peter about the beloved disciple John are a precious encouragement to persevering disciples in all ages and circumstances that nothing can separate us from His great love for us… “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

As we grow up into Christ He keeps us close, keeps us growing, and keeps us safe in…

The Love that Secures Us.

The Love that Leads Us

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me” (John 21:15-19).

Peter is one of the most relatable disciples. He was introduced to Jesus by His brother Andrew… “He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas’ (which means Peter)” (John 1:42). He was skeptical and slow to follow Jesus at first, yielding to the Master’s call at a second encounter… “While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:18-20). The rest of His time with Jesus was filled with challenges from the Master to follow Him more closely, to trust and depend on His word… “So Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’  Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’” (John 6:67-68); to walk with Him in holiness… “He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, do you wash my feet?’” (John 13:6); to trust His sovereignty over the storms and trials of this natural life… “And Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’  He said, ‘Come.’ So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus” (Matthew 14:28-29); to trust Him to defeat his enemies… “So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?’” (John 18:11). Now, when He is about to return to His Father, Jesus called Peter a little closer. His forgiveness is evidenced as there is no mention of Peter’s denial. Instead there is a thrice repeated probing question… “Do you love me?” In His intimate confrontation and compelling invitation with Peter, Jesus revealed that maturing disciples will be increasingly motivated by the love that leads us.

Peter’s relationship with Jesus is a great illustration of the Master’s relentless invitation to all Christ followers to come closer and become His disciples. Like Peter, we all have followed Christ at a distance. But if we are maturing disciples that are growing closer to Christ, then our hunger for His word, awareness of His sovereignty, and trust in His protection are increasing as we draw closer to Him. Today, our Teacher, the Holy Spirit reveals that above all else, increasing love for Christ testifies that we are growing disciples and motivates us to imitate and reflect His glory to our world.

Love for Christ leads us to Him, as love led Peter back to Jesus… “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). Love for Christ leads us to serve others, as love for Christ would compel Peter to feed and care for Christ’s sheep… “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Love for Christ leads us to live and die for His glory, as love for Christ would lead Peter to his own crucifixion… “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also” (John 12:25-26).

As we grow up into Christ our prideful, selfish, and worldly motivations are increasingly replaced by…

The Love that Leads Us.

The Work Christ Shares with Us

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead (John 21:9-14).

I have been truly blessed to share in the work of the Lord for over thirty years now. Looking back over the years I have seen souls come to Christ, disciples grow in Christ, and His church advance in a crooked and perverse generation. The Lord has met every personal and ministry need along the way, though not without allowing the needs to humble me and keep my heart focused on Him. The greatest blessing along the way is that I know Jesus Christ better today than I ever have. I am convinced that if I continue in the special work He wants to share with me, I will know Him better every day until that day when I shall see Him face to face… “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). What is the work that occupies your energies today? Is it the work of God? I believe we all are called to share in Christ’s work… “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you” (John 6:27). In today’s text our Teacher reveals three qualities that identify the work Christ shares with us.

The results of the work are Christ’s… When we give Him the results of our work, Jesus adds to it and shares the harvest with us. The disciples had fished all night without success. When they obeyed the Lord’s instructions they caught 153 large fish! It is interesting to note that 153 is the numeric value of the expression The Passover (Ha Pesach), and also of the words Sons of God (Bene Ha Elohim). We are the sons of God… “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith” (Galatians 3:26). We are called to take the message of Jesus our Passover lamb to all the peoples of the world… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15).

The risks of the work are Christ’s… The net did not break. The fruitless night did not discourage their hearts. Jesus prepared their breakfast and their hunger was satisfied. It's also amusing to note that the numeric value of the Greek words fishnet and fishing are also both exactly 8 x 153. In the Bible, the number 8 always refers to the Anointed One (Christ or Messiah) and to the anointing of the Holy Spirit. When we trust Him with the circumstances and people who come against His work, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit’s power will bring victory over anything that might oppose it… “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The revelation of the work is Christ… No one dared ask who He was because they were convinced by the results Christ provided and the risks He handled for them. It is revealing to note that the Tetragrammaton YHWH or Hebrew designation for the personal name of God (I AM) appears 153 times in the book of Genesis. When we fully engage in the work of God, Jesus promises to work alongside of us… “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). His heart’s desire is to reveal His glory to us and to the world as we serve Him as fishers of men… “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).

As we grow up into Christ the results are blessed, the risks removed, and He is revealed through…

The Work Christ Shares with Us.

The Lord Who Blesses Our Work

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off” (John 21:1-8).

Jesus showed up again. Seven of His disciples had returned to their previous occupation, fishing. There was nothing wrong with their earnest attempt to support themselves by returning to their craft. But a significant thing happened. They were totally unsuccessful. They fished all night and caught absolutely nothing. Then Jesus showed up at daybreak. He asked a penetrating, convicting question… “Children, do you have any fish?” In calling them children, Jesus identified them as His disciples and sought to reassure them that they still belonged to Him. In asking if they had any fish, He forced them to confront the reality of their circumstance and confess their impotence without Him. Then Jesus gave them clear instructions and as they faithfully obeyed His word their nets overflowed with fish. The beloved disciple John was first to recognize the presence of the Lord in this event, and Peter was the first to react. The other disciples strained to bring the overloaded net full of fish to shore and when they arrived they were met by Jesus, the Lord who blesses our work.

What do you do for a living? The question is misleading. Disciples believe that God is our provider… “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). We do not trust our job to provide for our needs because we cannot have two providers. We cannot serve two masters… “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). But the Spirit exhorts us to work in order to support ourselves and our families… “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12). There is a tension here, a challenge to the earnest disciple to trust the Lord to meet every need while working diligently at the same time. The tension is resolved when we recognize that Jesus shows up in our work and we make Him Lord of our work.

Diligent disciples understand work as a calling or vocation. We define our vocation as the place where God uses our gifts and talents to meet the needs of others even as He meets our needs… “There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24-25). The Teacher goes on to reveal that apart from serving God with our gifts and talents, there is no real fulfillment to be found in our work… “For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind” (Ecclesiastes 2:26). The Spirit promises that Christ will show up and bless our work done earnestly for Him… “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

As we grow up into Christ our jobs are transformed into a kingdom-building vocation by …

The Lord Who Blesses Our Work.

The Gospel that Offers Us Life

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name (John 20:30-31).

With these words, the Author of the Gospel of John reveals His true motivation for writing this book. I believe He also reveals something of His own character to the earnest truth seeker. We know that the true Author of all scripture is the Holy Spirit… “No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Spirit carefully chose John, the beloved disciple to record the words of this book… “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’… This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true” (John 21:20, 24). Working closely together as a perfectly synchronized team, the Holy Spirit and the Apostle John created this gospel to be a revelation of truth that will convict souls and compel belief. They also show serious disciples the importance of relying on the Spirit and gospel truth in our witnessing efforts. We must be faithful to share the truth of the gospel that saved us because it is truly the gospel that offers us life.

The Teacher reminds us today of our responsibility to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. The Holy Spirit has an overwhelming burden for the lost… “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). He lives in the heart of the genuine disciple… “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6). Therefore, we have the same Spirit that anointed Jesus, compelling and empowering Him to seek and save the lost… “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19). Those who are filled with the Spirit are also compelled and empowered to reach the lost. Like the disciple John, we are compelled to share His life-giving gospel with others.

What are the faith-compelling truths of the gospel? We find them clearly revealed in this book. The Spirit inspired John to write that God loves the world He has created and He wants believers to live with Him forever… “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The people He loves are separated from Him by sin and because He is holy, God’s judgment rests on them… “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). Jesus Christ is God and came into the world to pay the price for sin through His atoning death on the cross… “The next day he (John) saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’… I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29, 33-34). Fulfilling the scriptures, Jesus died… “But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs” (John 19:33). He was buried in a rich man’s tomb… “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there” (John 19:41-42). He rose from death and calls us to share the gospel… “Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God’” (John 20:17).

As we grow up into Christ His Spirit fills, compels, and empowers us to share His gospel because it is…

The Gospel that Offers Us Life.